Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-01-18
Richie Assaiis Invasion OF States
Rights.
From the Baltimore Sun.

FROM the Baltimore Sun.
Sharp distinction between the functions
Of the Federal aud State governments was
drawn by Gov Albert C. Richie in his
address at his second Inauguration We'd
nesday. He particularly questioned the
wisdom Of Federal appropriations for roads,
schools, agriculture. health work and SINH
lar subjects.
There is nothing gained. he said, by re-
ceivins such appropriations from the Fed
eral Government. for the taxpayers pay in
either case, and il simply is a matter Of
taking the money from one pocket and
putting it in another. In passing through
Federal hands, he said. 1t comes back with
demand for the right Of supervision not
only Of the portion given but of the sum
which must be given by the State to
match il.
So long as the practice continues. the
Governor said. and other States take ad-
vantage Of il. there is no reason why Mary
land should pc alize herself by refusing to
take her share. He expressed his opinion
that all that has been done in this State
through Federal aid could have been as
well or better If it had been done by the
States own resources.
Many persons said the large excess paid
by the people Of this State in Federal
taxes over the amount contributed for local
expenses. as shown by the Governor s
statement. was revelation to them.
The Governor pointed out that in 1922
the Federal Government collected from the
people Of Maryland in internal revenue
taxes alone about s46.000.0OO. which
was $3i.7i for every person In the State
and in the same year the State collected
for all purposes $l4.679.700. OF $i0l2 for
every person. In the same year. he said
the Federal collections from all sources
amounted to s84.742.795. which was
S44.66 for each person. or nearly four and
one-half times as much as the State COL
Iected.
Governor Ritchies address was to some
extent an amplifcation Of his enunciation
OF the doctrine Of States Rights, made
before the conference Of Governors called
by President Coolidge. He insisted on the
soundness Of the distinction between the
functions Of the Federal Government and
those Of the States. He objected to "the
great and growing overhead Of bureaus
and commissions, some of which are not
needed. others Of which should be cur
tailed" Some Of them. he said. do work and
spend money which should be turned back
to the States. because their functions be-
long to the realm Of State government.
The Eighteenth Amendment was referred
to by the Governor as the most outstand-
ing illustration Of the latter class He re-
cited that the Federal Government already
has appropriated $9,379.37O for enforce
ment Of Volstead act during the next fiscal
year and that the Federal Budget Bureau
has just approved $28.500.OOO more. He
warned that the Legislature will be asked
to enact the Volstead law in Maryland
and place upon the people further direct
charge which will impose burden Of mil
lions upon them.
Prohibition. the Governor said, is only
one instance of the encroachment OF the
Federal power upon the State. but il holds
the stage so prominently as to obscure the
fact that it 10 only one phase Of the only
question Of principle upon which the
American people can divide politically
today. Most other pubisc questions, he
said, are matters Of expediency. which dc
not involve any cleavage Of principle.
The first half Of the Governors address
was devoted to State matters. He said
that the last two decades have been a
period Of transition. Of development or
constructive lines, and Maryland now /:
about TO enter on an administrative period
which. while less spectacular. will be ever,
BIZ as inspiring in the results il promises.
Accomplishment in the way OF givin,
the people new kinds of public servic,
were recounted by the Governor. who men
toned the system Of improved roads, which
now covers Is per cent Of the whole mile
age. while no other State has as much q
per cent completed. He praised tn
public school system and Legislation
regarding hours and conditions of labor
the Workmen's Compensation law, i'm
provement in penal institutions and tn,
elections laws. No one now questions tn
integrity Of our elections. he said. He men
toned the adoption Of the budget system
the merit system, the Central PURCHASING
Bureau. the reorganization OF the State GOV
eminent and the removal of the politica
disabilities OF women.
Speaking broadly" the Governor said
the States task now is to carry on.
or pledges In the State platform which
the Governor said must be redeemed h,
mentioned. first. reduction in the tax rat,
and economy in expenditures. The re
naming items, he said. relate to subject,
connected with agriculture. health child
welfare. oysters. game. fish. pollution Of
waters and the election laws. He an.
bounced that bills redeemine all Of these
pledges. as well as bills embodyine such
general legislation as the various depart.
ments and institutions Of the State feel
are required, will be submitted to the
General Assembly
The Governors address was received
with great appreciation by the crowd which
packed every inch Of the space in the hall
Of the House Of Delegates and the eal-
leries, He was warmly congratulated and
bis remarks were the theme OF General
and favorable comment.
Following we're the phrases which elected
applause:
I'VE are not going to stop until we have
the best public school system in the coun.
Try"
The reduction in the tax rate which be.
dan under this administration. will amonn,