Evening star., 1922-04-22

BALTIMORE. Md. April Eth.
Sun says:
Albert C. Ritchie yesterday an
nounced that he would be candidate
for reelection as Governor of Mary
land in 1923. This eliminates him
as a candidate for the United States
Senate to succeed Senator France.
His election would establish prec-
edent, no Governor of Maryland ever
having served two successive terms.
For some time Gov. Ritchie has been
regarded as the keystone to the po-
HIcal situation in this state, so far
as the democratic party is concerned.
and great pressure has been brought
upon him to declare himself without
delay. In other words. IL was his
move. and many other moves depend
fers to this condition in the opening
paragraph of his statement. which
follows:
Makes Statement.
During the past few weeks i have
been approached by many men aud
women of Maryland who have, with
very great kindness. asked whether l
desired TO be a candidate for the
United States Senate, and who gem
erously offered me their political and
personal support for that Office.
Il am conscious, too. that there are
others who are expecting decision
from me in the matter, because my
possible candidacy for the Senate has
recently been discussed by the press
of the state, in many instances favor
ably.
1T has been represented to me and
also publicly stated that should an
nounce my candidacy for the senate /
al ha
port of the democratic party for the
nominal ton. and that at time when
the men and women of the stl-e are
turning again to the democracy TO
represent them in public affairs. 1
would have q fairly certain chance OF
election.
Feels Grateful.
truly grateful for all this. and ] have
not had a more difficult decision TO
make. 1T ii is true that the situa ton
is at all what 1t has been represented
to me. then a possible senatorial can
didacy could hardly face a more ia
vorsble prospect; and when problems
so tremendous are facing the nation
The temptation cannot but be strong
to ask the people of Maryland tor
i, the privilege of representing them at
Washington and of doing my best
to have Maryland be constructive
confront the people.
But, with all this, / have deter
mined that my job is here in MARY
land. finishing, as / hope to be aolc 70
do. the tasks which i set for myself
and to which the democratic repre-
sentatives in the legislature gave
such loyal support.
Il asked the aid of the best thought
of my party in this state in outlining
certain reforms in our state govern
ment. This aid was generously and
effectively given. and the partys honor
pledged that the Legislation which had
been planned should be enacted and
this pledged word was kept. But this
is not enough. / feel that when the
Legislature adjourned il left me tn.
task of putting those plans in opera
tfon and thus finishing the job.
should Finish Job.
A man ought to finish the job he
starts out to do. and ] think / owe
1t to the people Of the state to finish
the Job i started out to do and to de-
vote all my energies for the rest OF
my term to the state government of
Maryland instead of putting that
aside for campaign which may ad-
vance my own political fortunes
After that has been done, then, the
people and my party willing, I will
have the right to look ahead to what
ever public office j might deserve as
the result Of having done my best i'm
the Office / now hold, and il will be
perfectly proper for me to be can
didate, as i intend to be, to succeed
myself as governor"