Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-10-19
The Governor Asks Armstrong To
Show Evidence.

Gov. Albert C. Richie paid Montgomery
county his second visit of the campaign
last Saturday afternoon. when he address
ed more than 500 persons in Seco Hall
here. The meeting was regarded as one
of the finest the party has held in recent
years.
Preston B. Ray. Clerk of the Circuit Court,
presided. and in addition to Gov. Richie
the speakers included former United States
Senator Blair Lee and Thomas H. Robin
son. candidate for Attorney General
Governor Richie called on Alexander
Armstrong, the Republican candidate for
Governor to produce evidence to refute
the prevailing conviction that the public
school system Of the State has made
marked progress under the present admin
istration.
In his speech Governor Richie said
AT Ellicott City Mr. Armstrong made
his first attempt at giving bill of particu-
lars Of one of the many charges he has
been so freely making. He chose the pub
lie schools. am ready to meet him on
the question. but he will have toeo further
than he has gone if we are to debate it.
He will have to bring forward at least
something to show that the schools have
not progressed under this administration
to the remarkable extent that everyone
familiar with the subject, both in this
State and out of it. believes they have. |
say he cannot do this.
Mr.. Armstrong refers to four counties
in which he complains about my appoint.
ments to the local school boards. | say
that those appointed are representative
and thoroughly qualified men in their re.
spective counties, that they are doing theiI
work with no consideration or thought Of
politics and with no idea except the besl
interests of the schools and the children
who attend them.
"lf this is not true. it ought not to be
difficult for Mr.. Armstrong to show it ant
to show that school efficiency and progress,
have been thereby impaired or at leas
retarded in the counties he names.
Suppose Mr.. Armstrong begins with
Prince Georges. That is the home of Mr.
Ray. who is one Of the leaders of the
Democratic party in this State and chair.
man of the Democratic State Central Com.
mittee.
"Mr. Armstrong isquite correct in saying
that have conferred with Mr.. Ray about
appointments to the Prince Georges county
school board. Mr.. Ray has not made these
appointments. nor has he tried to or wanted
to. But have advised with him, as
have with others, and then made up my
own mind. If reelected | will continue
doing this. cannot be more open and
frank
What would like to know is whether
Mr.. Armstrong can show that this course
has resulted to the disadvantage o. The
public schools in Prince Georges county
81 say that the exact contrary is TIE
case that politics is an unknown thing IN
the schools of Prince Georges county and
that the progress there during the past
three years mas oOch hoeO"oIthy' II MT.
Armstrong doubts this ask him 20 pro.
duce something tangible to support his
doubts.
"Or. if he prefers. am ready to meet
him on any of the other counties he
names, because what have just stated
about school progress and conditions in
Prince Georee's is also true about Talbot
Calvert and Queen Anne's, where Mr.. Arm.
-.-nno criticizes my school board appoint-
ments"