Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1934-07-06
Barton Nails 5th
Term Argument
Professional and Business Men
of Baltimore Honor the
Governor
Mr.. Randolph Barton, Jr., Adj
dresses Dinner Party

Considerable interest has been mani
tested in Baltimore during the past
few DAYS over the remarks made by
Mr.. Randolph Barton, Jr.. one Of
Marylands leading attorneys. on the
occasion of a testimonial dinner ten
dered in honor of Governor Albert c.
Richie. by more than 500 Of the out
standing professional and busin...i
men Of Baltimore at the Bclvedo.e
Hotel last Thursday evening.
In referring TO Governor Ritchic's
aspirations for a fifth term, Mr.. Bar
ton stressed the fact that although
various competitors for the position G
Governor have either voluntarily cone
or have been brought forward AID
reasons have been advanced on =
half of each particular candidate WY
he should take the place Of Governor
Richie, none of the reasons assigned.
include the claim, either that Governor
Richie is not thoroughly qualified CT
that anyone else who hes lccn ne" i
is better qualified. Mr.. Barton stated
that the principle argument against
the Governor which he has heard adj
vanced was that Governor Richie
should not be a candidate for rcclcc-
ton, because it is "some other fellows
turn" In answering this objection
Mr.. Barton said "But we, the taXpay-
ers, are not interested primarily in
giving a man an office but in having
an office, and one tremendously affect
ing our own interests, filled and adj
ministered by the man most apt to
give us tn most efficient service. We,
therefore, start out with the PROPOSE
ton that Governor Ritchie's services
have concededly been highly efficient
and that we are asked to displace him
not because he is not giving good serv-
ice, not because someone has appeared
who can give us better service, but
simply because Governor Richie has
for longer time than the average in
cumbent been rendering this service"
According to Mr.. Barton this is un-
derstandable when advanced by those
who want to take Ritchie's place, Lut
hard to follow when relied on as a I, 4
son for our giving to these aspiraH.s
that place. "Since the dawn of his
tory there has always been certain
proportion of people who want cGanCc,
whether for the better or tie worse.
They tire Of and turn again = "csd
ruler or public servant almost IS
quickly as they rebel against bad
one. No arguments or warnings &c
effective with minds so constituted.
All sorts Of eaten phrases a"Fcal -
such as these, such, for instance, -
that "a new broom sweeps clean les
rather inconsistency even pcon'c sr"l
as these do not apply any such rrn-
ciple in the handling of their peraoncl
affairs; they don't transfer their ba...l
account from an old, experienced, ard
conservatively managed institution 70
a new and untried one, simply on tie
ground that they will be getting a
new broom Nor do they desert Their
experienced and efficient family ply
stefan or surgeon for a new and I'M
tried practitioner on the theory that
length of experience and training have
made the older man wear out in the
same way in which use wears out a
broom. They recognize in their private
matters that men, unlike mere r:a-
chine, grow better and more efficient
with the use involved in training ard
experience, and that certainly, in every
business and every profession in lie,
length of training is of itself a n.>st
valuable asset. Why the advocates Of
that argument against retaining Gov
ernor Richie believe that contrary
rule should apply when the business is
that of managing the finances and
activities of State or City, l must
leave to some more comprehending
person to explain"
Mr.. Barton concluded by rcmarkins
that IL change is 10 be made this IS
not the time to make it. Lincc,n re-
peatedly cautioned against swapping
horses while crossing the stream We
are far from being on the other side
yet. Still more acute financial prob.
lens face the State Government at this
very moment. Can it reasonably be
contended that there is anyone in sight
at present to whom we can entrust
these problems better fitted to e
with them than is Governor Ritchie."