Evening star., 1939-01-04
Excessive Legislation
Threat 10 Liberty,
Gov. Nice Says
Warning Is Issued in
His Lost Message
To Lawmakers
BY JACK ALLEN,
Star StaH Correspondent.

: ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 4.-Gov. Nice
opened the biennial session of the
Maryland General Assembly this
afternoon with an address in which
he laid before the legislators recon-
mendations dealing principally with
State fiscal problems.
The Governor also warned the
legislators against excessive govern
ment." which he said seems to be a
trend which bodies i'll for liberty if
not checked.
= He said the Nation as a whole,
even in Maryland, has far more gov
ernment touching the individual
citizen than was dreamed of 20 years
ago, and infinitely more than was
ever thought of at the time the Con-
Etltution was adopted.
The Governor said that unques-
tionably consolidation and simpli-
1cation of existing statutes is
needed, but Il earnestly warn you
against excessive government"
Couched in General Terms.
His fiscal suggestions were couched
IN general rather than specific terms,
The retiring executive explaining
that his successor, former ATTORNEY
General Herbert R. O'Conor, will
have his program to offer following
his inauguration next week.
He advocated the enactment of an
all-inclusive budget with a con-
tingent supplement embodying per-
~manent levies for financing the en-
tire relief program with its social
security provisions and so-called
direct aid.
~ ~ Creation of budget bureau and
other budgetary changes, improve
ments in administration of the
lower courts. establishment of re-
glonal general hospitals, an increase
IN the State police force and stand
ardization of classified service en-
ployes' salaries also were urged.
Gov. Nice likewise said attention
should be given to certain buildings
that may be required at State men
tai hospitals, the completion of the
state penal farm in washington
County and construction of GYM
naslums at Towson Teachers Col
lege and the training school for
colored girls.
Small Amount for Building.
He added that a comparatively
small amount of building appro-
priation, however, will fill present
needs and give Maryland an oppor-
tunlty to reduce its bonded debt
during the next biennium.
The Governor declared that, in
his opinion, the University of Mary
land, which has sought substantial
increases in its appropriations from
recent Legislatures. will need little
additional financial aid in the near
future Ito accomplish its splendid
aims"
During his address he praised the
university for embarking ION a
deflnlte plan Of development into a
larger usefulness, not only as an
educational institution, but as an
important and proper functionary
IN the State government"
Gov. Nice's 3,20O-word message
was his last before the lawmaking
body and was delivered before the
House and Senate sitting in Joint
session in the House chamber. Both
{ galleries were packed with spec
tators.
/. A week from today the executive,
: who defeated the late Albert C.
Rltchie in 1884 to terminate the lat
ters 16-year reign and at the same
time end more than a quarter of a
century of Democratic domination
OF State affairs, will give way to
3 Gov.-elect O'Conor, victorious Dem
ocratic standard bearer in the No
vember election.