Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1922-04-22
HAD BEEN MENTIONED
FOR u. S. SENATORSHIP

As indicated in the Evening
Capital OF yesterday, Governor
Ritchie last night issued a formal
statement, announcing his candi-
dacy for denomination and cleo
tion as Governor, thereby elimi-
mating all speculation as to whe-
ther he would be a candidate for
the United States Senate to sue
ceed Senator Joseph Irwin
France.
The Governor had been, for
some time regarded as the key
stone of the political situation in
the State SO far as the Democratic
party is concerned, and his an
nouncement is therefore regarded
as of extraordinary significance i'll
shaping the future course of
Maryland politics.
hItcnle ISSUES statement
The Governors statement is as fol,
lows:
During the last few weeks ! have
been approached by many men and
women of Maryland who have, with
very great kindness, asked whether [
desired to be a candidate for the
United States Senate and who gen.
erously offered me their political and
personal support for that office. l am
conscious, too, that there are others
who are expecting a 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 favorably.
Finds Decision Difficult
ut has been represented to me and
also publicly stated that should / an
nounce my candidacy for the Senate
would in all probability have the
support of the Democratic party for
the nomination and that at a time
when the men and women Of the
State are turning again TO the Democ-
idCg w ltDlNbGbb III PuDAiR
fairs | would have a fairly certain
chance of election.
Il would not be human did / not
feel truly grateful for all this, and L
have not had a more difficult decision
to make. If it is true that the situa-
tion is at all what it has been rep
resented to me then a possible Sena-
torial candidacy could hardly face a
more favorable prospect; and when
problems so tremendous are facing the
nation the temptation cannot but be
strong to ask the people Of Maryland
for the privilege of representing them
at Washington and Of doing my best
TO have Maryland be constructive
help in solving the problems which
confront the people.
But with all this / have determin-
ed that my job is here in Marylan1
finishing, as / hope TO be able to do,
the tasks which / set for myself and
to which the Democratic representa-
tives in the Legislature gave such 10y
al 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 eff
fectiveIy given and the party's 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 it left me the
task of putting those plans in opera
tion and thus finishing the job.
Wants To Complete Program
"And that is what / have deter
mined to do. The changes in the
State government brought about by
the reorganization plan are effective
January 1, 1923. Were to run for
the United States Senate, not only
would | have to give the campaign
first place until November, but were
to be elected then two months after
January /, would have to relinquish
the Office of Governor and with it the
duty of completing the task we all be-
gan so many months ago by helping
the new order to function in the spirit
of the reorganization plan.
at is not, of course, that there
could be any doubt of the ability or
another to complete that task. PRESS
dent Norris, who would succeed me-
in the event of my election as Senator,
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