Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-09-28
The Democratic Platform.

The platform adopted by the Democratic
State Convention, held in Baltimore on
Thursday of last week, is, in part, as fol-
lows:
We, the representatives Of the Demo-
cratic party of Maryland, in convention
assembled, believe that our strongest claims
upon the people Of Maryland for the con-
tinuance of our administration over State
affairs are, first, the constructive achieve
ments of the Democratic party in this State.
and, secondly, the record Of our party's
Administration under Governor Richie.
During the last half century there have
been only two Republican State admins
trations. This has not been due to chance.
Il has been due to a general recognition
by the people that the special problems
and conditions which confront US in Mary
land 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 fulfilled because
il is only the truth to say that during the
last rs years successive Democratic ad-
ministrations, through a long series of
constructive measures and policies, cover
ine the fields Of education, health, roads.
labor, agriculture, finance, employment,
purchasing-in fact, all governmental &C.
tivities-have placed our State in posi-
ton second to no other. both government
ally and in political ideals and practices.
Our party's record during the present
State administration would be an issue in
any event, but it will be the more so this
time because Governor Richie is our can
didate for reelection. We are ready &c
meet that issue 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 i
assumed Office on January Ia. 1920.
We do not refer to the many Stat
activities which, begun under other ad
ministrations, are being continued unde
this one, further than to say that ever!
branch of the States business is beinl
conducted efficiently and economical!
and is characterized by the will for con
scientious public service We refer onl!
10 those things which can properly b
credited TO this administration alone.
Al n,
possible. We simply state the facts anC
let them speak for themselves.
Sincerity OF Democratic Pledges.
First, however. we ask the people t
recall the sincerity with which our party
PROMISES have been fulfilled. Our plat
forms of 1919 and 1921 pledged this ad
ministration to many important and con
structive measures. Our promises were al
made clearly and simply. There was nj
buncombe about them, They were moi
made to catch votes They were made tC
keen. and they were all Of character
which could be kept. For instance, the
Republicans promised an increased repre-
sentation for Baltimore city SO large thai
il was insincere and impossible to secure
We promised a smaller increase. but the
LARGEST that was obtainable. In no case
did we promise more than could be done
and In every case we did what we PROM
ised. The sincerity with which we kept
these past pledges 10 the best evidence
that we will sincerely keep those con-
tanned in this platform.
Record In State Democratic Administra-
ton Organization.
The act providing for this became ef-
fective January 1. 1928. 1t has already
resulted in much greater coordination and
efficiency among the departments Of the
State government and in more expedi-
tious and business-like handling Of the
States business. 1t has reduced the num-
Der of departments from about 30 to 10,
and has brought the heads Of these de-
partments into closer contact and coopera-
ton with each other and with the Gov.
ernor. In addition to considerable direct
savings it has enabled departments to
handle a much larger volume OF business
without increased cost and will continue
to do so.
Instead Of centralizine additional power
in the Governors hands-and the report
Of the Reorganization Commission shows
how much care was taken to avoid this
the act has abolished as unnecessary eight
Of the major appointments which the Gov
ernor previously had Its benefits will be-
come more and more apparent as time
goes on.
Fewer Elections.
This amendment, ratified BY the direct