Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-25

Unity Stressed
AsRepubIicans
Hail MckeIdin
Governor Urges
Convention to Avoid
Overconfidence
By Cherries [. Hoffmon
Stor Ssoff Correspondent

BY Cherries [. Hoffmon
stor ssoff Correspondent
BALTIMORE, July 24.-Har-
rnony was the keynote here today
as Republican delegates to the
State convention formalized Gov.
McKeldin's primary victory In
his bid to become the first Mary
land Republican governor ever
to succeed himself In Office.
r Delegates cast a unanimous
152 votes for Gov. McKeldin and
a like number for his running
mate. Edward d. E. Rollins, for
attorney general.
I'VE shall take nothing for
granted" the Governor said In
his acceptance speech. and he
urged the party ito avoid the
hazards of overconfldence."
Several hundred party work.
ers were on hand for the conven-
ton in Lord Baltimore Hotel.
"Divine Rights Of Kings"
In what was interpreted as q
reference to the battle between
organization Democrats and
George P. Mahoney, the Cover
nor told the convention that in
the Republican Party, "there
would be no claim of divine
rights or would-be kings Or
would-be makers of kings"
1--WE shall seek no destruction
Of Others" he added. I'VE know
the great value to America and
to the State of our working and
long successful two-party sys-
tenn"
The Governor later told re-
porters his remarks were not in
tended as a slap at the Demo-
cratic Party or any individual
In the party.
'1t Is simply statement to
the effect that we will not toll
crate any king-makers in the
Republican party in Maryland"
he said.
Delegates Applaud.
Convention delegates roared
with applause at almost every
mention of harmony and unity.
Democratic leaders have been re-
ported trying to decide whether
to declare their apparent guber-
material nominee, DR.. Harry c.
Byrd, the party's standard bearer
while court battles over recounts
still are in progress. The DEM
ocratic convention is slated to
begin at 2 pm. Monday in Balti-
more.
Republicans adopted a plat
form that spoke Of the present
administrations accomplish
ments in health, education, well
fare, courts, road building, budg-
citing and governmental reorgan-
iZation.
No promises of tax cuts were
made. Also noticeable by its
absence was any reference to
hmplementing the recent Su-
preme Court ruling to end seq
regation in the public schools.
The pc tform made no mention
of veterans bonus which was
pledged by both Democratic
candidates.
In an obvious reference to the
bitter Democratic fight over the
gubernatorial vote recount, the
platform called for legislation to
permit public inspection of all
voting records.
Voting Machines Urged.
It also proposed that all coun-
ties install voting machines to
expedite vote counting and ito
insure that no voter is diSenfran-
chised." Such machines might
be purchased through the estab-
1ishment of a State fund from
which the counties could borrow
at low interest rates, the plat
form said.
An education plank called for
the study of possible reduction in
the cost of school buildings "es-
specially through Standardization
and the elimination of non-es-
sential items" The health plank
urged early realization of the |
separate maximum security hos
pital for insane criminals. The |
study of the possibility of estab-
fishing outdoor training camps |
as auxiliaries to training schools |
for juvenile delinquents was
proposed.
Home Rule Supported.
Overwhelming support" of |
the home rule for municipalities |
referendum was urged along with |
a promise to call for enactment |
of county home rule legislation |
at the next General Assembly
session. |
Gov. McKeldin's name was
submitted to the convention by |
Miss Bertha Adkins, national
committeewoman. Among Sec
onders was George c. Warner.
jr., member of the Montgomery |
County State Central Committee. |
Maryland's two United States
Senators. both slated for i'm |
portant roles in the convention,
were forced to be absent because |
of a Senate filibuster.
Beall's Speech Read.
Allegany County States At |
torney Paul Fletcher filled in as !
permanent chairman in place of /
Senator Beall. The conventions |
keynote address. prepared by
Senator Butler. was read by
Representative Miller. Repre- /
sentative Small served as tempo
rary chairman.
Mrs. Thalia Thomas and John
w. O'Brien Of Prince Georges
County served on the creden- |
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