Evening star., 1932-03-02

POlAIlCS W SEEK IllBIl OLlCp, ana UIle way
| to do SO. he said frankly, was to satisfy
the public.
Wanted Job as Governor.
AS attorney general Ritchie as frank
ly stated that he was a candidate for
| Governor. He served through his term
| and announced a platform of reorgani-
zation of the costly and antiquated
State government Before entering the
| race for Governor and without retir-
ing as attorney. general, he served as
| chief counsel to the War Industries
Board, of which Bernard Baruch, New
York financier, was chairman.
Between Baruch and Ritchie strong
! friendship grew up. 1t has continued
ever since and has been an important
factor in Ritchie's presidential ambi-
| tlons. Baruch has been his stancheSt
supporter and has largely financed his
campaigns for public Office.
In his first race for Governor, Ritchie
ran against heavy odds. 1t was in
1919, and sentiment was swinging
strongly to the Republicans. Baltimore,
Tor the second time since the Civil War,
| had Republican administration
Ritchie's Republican opponent as
sailed him vigorously as a tool Of Wall
Street" He had learned of the strong
bond of friendship between Ritchie
and Baruch, and he made a number of
speeches linking them in general de-
nunc1ation.
! Richie Remained Silent.
Ritchie never replied. He confined
himself to discussing his proposed State
reorganization program. But every time
his opponent asSailed him as friend of
| Par1Ich ha xrOII1d nliYN ha
send it to Baruch with little note ::
See what this fellow is saying about
you, Barney" Baruch would reply with
a vigorous letter.
'C2 after him, Bert" he would: write
Lick him; he can't say that about
me-" And with each letter he would
send 81 900 check for Ritchie' cam
I paign He received five clippings and
sent five 81 900 checks
+ Ritchie was elected BY the hairline
ma jority of 145 votes He promptly
set his program in motion and his
plans for reelection. Putting through
his modernization of thasState's gov
lernment was comparatively easy, but
reelection presented another problem
Since the Civil War mo Maryland
Governor had ever been reelected
Some had tried, but they had always
been defeated. Furthermore the revised
State constitution, which Ritchie S
father, a State judge, had helped
frame, specifically stated, that rotation
in office was desirable. Reelection was
not prohibited, but tradition and the
constitution advised against it.
Bert" to Close Friends.
Ritchie was not only reelected, but
he shattered precedent with a majority
| nf nm Yd no CT ha
policy he repeated in four years, in
creasing his majority to $4,000 and he
won still fourth term by vote Of
/ $4,000. There is little doubt that if
he wants fifth term he can have it.
Ritchie's great hold on the State Is
due to two things: The smooth-run-
ming efficiency of his administration
and his dignified friendliness. He is
one of the most approachable men in
public life, yet no baby kisser. Only
his most intimate friends call him
Bert"
He goes about much in the State,
attends numerous functions, but be is
always "the Governor" In a State
where family and tradition mean
much, he has not only maintained his
| patrician standing, but has won an
ever-increasing popularity among the
masses. And he has done this despite
| his refusal to accept several projects
with strong popular backing.
Fights Water Power Issue.
He resolutely refused to put the State
/ into the water power business when a
very active agitation was set in motion
for this His third race for Governor
was fought out on the issue. Ritchie
was assailed as a friend of the power
trust" He replied by producing figures
to show that it would be more profitable
for the public to lease the power site in
question to private interests and rigidly
regulate their rates. He. was reelected
by an increased majority.
Another time a popular demand
arose for enlarging the facilities of the
State university. Ritchie said the State
should not duplicate private educational
facilities, and when the opposition put
through the legislation it sought he
personally delivered his veto message.
He was sustained in the Assembly. and
again he was reelected by greater
majority.
For State Rights.
Ritchie was the first State executive
to resist the Anti-SaloUn Leagues de-
mand for State prohibition enforce
ment laws. AS result Maryland has
never adopted state enforcement
system. 1t was out of this fight with
! the drys that Ritchie developed his
State rights presidential issue. This
time he has expanded it to include
criticism of governmental intrusion into
private business. He has declared him
self forcefully against public ownership,
although insisting upon strong govern
mental regulation.
The MARYLAND Governor IS now S.
! Twice before he has sought the presi-
| dency. Each time he was lost in the
shuttle. In 1924, when he first aspired,
he appeared for few hours as pos
sible compromise choice. But nothing
came of it. In 1928, a few days before
the convention, he saw the hopelessness
of the fight against Smith and with
drew. He admits that this year Is his
last chance.
| If don't get the breaks now am