Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-08
Ritchie Seeks Fourth Term,

GVNs A1UCLb ~ 1tAOC1uS Oh M6Iy1AuO
has cast his hat In the ring for fourth
term Is Governor Of Maryland. His
nomination on the Democratic ticket is
assured. Whatever opposition there was
in his party appears to have collapsed.
David G. Mcintosh, jr., who several
months ago announced his purpose of
running for the Democratic nomination
for governor, has gracefully taken him.
self out Of the picture. The Democratic
party of Maryland is going to the bat
behind Gov. Richie, and it expects to
re-elect him next November.
Gov. Richie in his formal statement
announcing his candidacy declares that
he has withheld his decision in the mat
ter until the Democrats of Maryland
should have had full opportunity for
considering the ACCESSIBILITY of continu-
ing him as the chief executive Of the
State. He expresses his gratitude for
the honors done him by the people Of
Maryland in the past. Full opportunity
has been given also for the Democrats
to consider the fourth-term question. If
Gov. Richie shall be renominated and
reelected and complete another term he
will have served fifteen years in all, and
consecutively, as Governor of Maryland,
an unprecedented length Of service in
that ONCE.
The Governor of Maryland, Mr.
Richie, has become an institution in the
Cavalier State. That he has given the
State good government Is evident from
the repeated victories Of Gov. Richie
at the polls. No people Of any State
have ever continued a man as governor
so long If they were not satisfied with
his administration of their affairs.
Once again, too, the Democrats Of
Maryland have thrown down the gage
Of battle to the "drys." No man in
public life has been more consistently
opposed to national prohibition than
has Gov. Richie. He has been the
champion par excellence Of State
rights, and State rights in his vo-
cabulary means the right of State
to determine for itself whether it shall
be wet or dry, without interference
from Washington.
The people Of Maryland have backed
him in this position, generally speaking,
although there are plenty Of the dry
faith to be found within its borders.
Some Of the dryS are found In the
governors own party. The obvious
thing Tor the Republicans in Maryland,
therefore, appears to be selection Of
dry candidate to represent them in the
gubernatorial race this year. If they
take that step, another State will be
added to the list which this Fall Is to
stage real fights over the prohibition
issue. Among the others are Illinois,
where wet Democrat will strive against
a dry Republican for the senatorship;
Massachusetts,, where the Republicans
will back dry gubernatorial and sena-
torial candidates against wet Democrats
Should Gov. Richie be reelected for
fourth term he is likely to be much
in the limelight when 1t comes to pick
ing Democratic presidential candidate
in 1882. Another fourth-term COVER
nor, Alfred e. Smith of New York, who
also IS a wet, was tried out by the Demo-
Gratis in 1928, but without success. The
present Governor Of New York, Franklin
D. Roosevelt, should he, too, be re-
elected this Fall, is likely to be a con-
tender for the Democratic nomination
for President. But Maryland viii pre-
sent a strong claim for this ONCE The
Maryland Democrats, who have put for
ward their governor at several national
conventions in the past, have gracefully
stepped aside and given their support to
other candidates, particularly to the
pride Of New York democracy, Mr..
Smith. That being the case, they are
inclined now to ask that the Smith sup
porters reciprocate these past favors.