Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-10-05
THE PLATFORM
ADOPTED BY THE
MARYLAND DEM
OCRAT|C STATE
CONVENTION
Achievements

we, lue representatives Oh fH41
Democratic party of Maryland, In
convention assembled, believe that
our strongest claims upon the people
of Maryland for the continuance Of
our administration over state affairs
are, Arst, the constructive achieve
ments of the Democratic party ID this
our party's administration under Gov
ernor Richie.
During the last half century there
have been only two Republican State
administrations This has not been
due to chance. 1t has been due to
a general recognition by the people
that the special problems and condl-
lions WHICH confront us In Maryland
State affairs can be met through the
agency OF the Democratic party than
through any other.
This involves a party trust, which
the record shows we have fulflledi
because it 10 only the truth to say
that during the last 90 years success
sive Democratic administrations,
through long series of constructive
measures and policies, covering the
fields OF education, health, roads, la
Dor, agriculture, finance, employ
ment, purchasing-in fact, all gov
ernmental activities - have placed
our State in a position second to no
other, both governmentally and in
political ideals and practices.
Our partys record during the pres
ent State administration would be an
issue in any event, but 1t will be the
more so this time because Governor
Richie Is our candidate for re-elec-
tion. We are ready to meet that Is
sue and, In order that the people Of
the State may be fully advised about
It, we will proceed to recall the more
important achievements which have
been accomplished under the present
Democratic State administration
since it assumed Office on January IA,
1920.
We do not refer to the many State
activities which, begun under other
administrations, are being continued
under this one, further than to say
that every branch Of the States bust
ness is being conducted efficiently and
economically and is characterized by
the will for conscientious public serv-
ice. We refer only to those things
which can properly be credited to this
administration alone.
We do this with as little comment
as possible. We simply state the facts
and let them speak for themselves.
Sincerity OF Democratic Pledges.
First, however, we ask the people to
recall the sincerity with which our
PARTY promises have been fulfilled.
Our platforms of 1919 and 1921 pledged
this administration to many impor-
tant and constructive measures. Our
promises were all made clearly and
siIn4ly. There was no buncOmbe about
them. They were not made to catch
votes. They were made to keep, and
they were all Of a character which
could be kept For instance, the Re-
publicans promised an Increased repre-
sanitation for Baltimore city so large
that It was insincere and impossible
crease, but the largest that was prac-
tically obtainable. In no case did we
promise more than could be done,
and in every case we did what we
promised. The sincerity with which
We kept these past pledges is the best
evidence that we will sincerely keep
those contained in this platform.
Record In State Democratic
Administration Organization.
The act providing for this became
effective January /, 1923. 1t has al
ready resulted In much greater CO.
ordination and efficiency among the
departments of the State government
and in a more expeditions and bust
ness-like handling OF the States bust
ness. 1t has reduced the number of
departments from about 80 to 10, and
has brought the heads Of these de-
partments into closer contact and co.
operation with each other and with
the Governor In addition to consid.
cradle direct savings It has enabled
departments to handle much larger
volume OF business without increased
cost and will continue to do SO.
Instead of centralizing additional
power in the Governors hands-and
the report of the Reorganization Com'
mission shows how much care was
taken to avoid this--the act has abol-
ished as unnecessary eight OF the
major appointments which the Gov
ernor previously had. Its benefits VIII
become more and more apparent as
time goes on.
Fewer Elections.
This amendment, ratified by the d.
rect vote of the people, will save ap'
proximately $95O,OOO year in direct
taxes for the holding of elections.
The act providing for general reg
istrations in Baltimore city every four
years instead of every two years will
save approximately $4,000 every four
years.
Increased Representation For
Baltimore.
The Constitutional amendment pro
viding for this was passed by the Leg