State of the State Addresses by Maryland Governors

The constitutional requirement of such an address resulted from the 1850 convention and was later incorporated as Art. II sec. 18:

"He shall from time to time inform the Legislature of the condition of the State, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he may judge necessary and expedient."

Today, it is Section 19, and the language is the same. In the 1864 Constitution, the requirement was Section 20; the only difference in language was the reference to the "General Assembly" rather than the "Legislature."

John Hoskins Stone

Date of First Address: November 16, 1796

Text of Stone's address was published in the Maryland Gazette on November 24, 1796

From the Senate Journal (Nov. 1796 session, page 4/AOMOL vol. 105, page 4):

"The president communicates to the senate a letter from his excellency the governor, accompanied with the resignation of the honourable Richard Potts, Esquire, as senator of the United States from the state of Maryland, and also an address from his excellency the governor to both branches of the legislature; which were severally read, referred to the house of delegates, and sent thither by the clerk."

From the House Journal (Nov. 1796 session page 13/AOMOL vol. 105 page 72):

"The clerk of the senate delivers a letter from his excellency the governor of this day, enclosing a letter of resignation from Richard Potts, Esquire, as senator to the United States, and also an address from his excellency the governor, severally endorsed.... ORDERED, That Mr. Key, Mr. Carroll, Mr. John C. Thomas, Mr. Chapman and Mr. Barroll, be a committee to consider and report on the address from his excellency the governor."

Robert Bowie

Date of First Address: November 6, 1805

From the 1805 House Journal, Page 4:

"On motion, ORDERED, That Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Stuart wait upon his excellency the governor, and inform him that this house is met, and are ready to proceed to public business, and to receive any communications he may think proper to lay before them."

Daniel Martin

Date of First Address: December 30, 1829

Message as published in Public Documents.

Thomas King Carroll

Date of First Address: December 1830

Message as published in Public Documents.

James Thomas

Date of First Address: January 1834

Message as published in Public Documents as part of the December 1833 session.

Date of Second Address: December 1834

Message as published in Public Documents.

Thomas W. Veazey

Date of First Address: December 28, 1836

"Annual Message of the Executive to the Legislature of Maryland" as published in Public Documents.

William Grason

Date of First Address: January 2, 1840

From the 1839 House Journal, page 19:

"The Secretary of State delivered the following communication from the Executive"

Date of Second Address: December 1841

"Annual Message of the Executive to the Legislature of Maryland" as published in Public Documents.

Francis Thomas

Thomas G. Pratt

Date of First Address: December 1845

"Annual Message of the Executive to the Legislature of Maryland" as published in Public Documents.

Philip Francis Thomas

Date of First Address: December 1849

"Annual Message of the Executive to the Legislature of Maryland" as published in Public Documents.

Enoch Louis Lowe

Date of First Address: December 1852

"Annual Message of the Executive to the Legislature of Maryland" as published in Public Documents.

Date of Second Address: December 1853

"Annual Message of the Executive to the Legislature of Maryland" as published in Public Documents.

Date of Third Address: December 1854

"Annual Message of the Executive to the Legislature of Maryland" as published in Public Documents.

Thomas Watkins Ligon

Date of First Address: January 4, 1856

From the 1856 House Journal, Page 12:

"Messrs. Silver and Bowie, from the joint committee appointed to wait upon his Excellency the Governor, and inform him of the organization of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and that they were prepared to receive any communication he might be pleased to make, reported that they had performed the duty assigned them; and that His Excellency informed them that he would, in a short time, make a written communication to the General Assembly"

From the 1856 House Journal, Page 13:

"The following message from the Executive was then received at the hands of Nathaniel Cox. Esq., Secretary of State"

Governor Ligon's message, as published in the Public Documents.

James Black Groome

Date of First Address: January 11, 1876

From the 1876 House Journal, Page 30:

"The Hon. Richard C. Holliday, Secretary of State, appeared and delivered the following message from his Excellency, James Black Groome, Governor:"

Date of Second Address: January 12, 1876

From the 1856 Senate Journal, Pages 28-29:

"The Hon. R. C. Holliday, Secretary of State, appeared and delivered the following Message from the Executive"

John Lee Carroll

Date of First Address: January 3, 1878

From the 1878 Senate Journal, Page 9:

"The Hon. R. C. Hollyday, Secretary of State, appeared and delivered a message from his Excellency, the Governor."

Elihu Jackson

Date of First Address: January 6, 1892

From the 1892 Senate Journal, Page 22:

"The Hon. Edward W. LeCompte, Secretary of State, appeared and delivered the biennial message of the Governor to the Legislature."

Lloyd Lowndes

Date of First Address: January 3, 1900

From the 1900 House Journal, Page 14 and the 1900 Senate Journal, page 23:

"I have the honor to transmit to you a typewritten copy of my message to the General Assembly of Maryland."

John Walter Smith

Date of First Address: January 6, 1904

From the 1904 House Journal, Page 14:

"Mr. Wells, from the committee appointed to wait upon the Governor, reported that the Governor had been seen, and would communicate with the House by message. The Secretary of State appeared and delivered a message from the Executive."

From the 1904 Senate Journal, page 32:

"The Secretary of State, the Hon. Wilfred Bateman, appeared and delivered the following message from the Executive"

Philip Lee Goldsborough

Date of First Address: January 6, 1916

From the 1916 Senate Journal, Page 24:

"At 2 o'clock P. M. the Secretary of State appeared and delivered the following message from the Executive"

Emerson C. Harrington

Date of First Address: January 7, 1920

The Senate Journal from the 1920 session indicates that Gov. Harrington's message of January 7, was sent via the Secretary of the State, as the chain of events are as follows:

"We are now ready to proceed with the business of the Session, and propose, with your concurrence, the appointment of a Joint Committee of the two Houses....to wait upon the Governor and inform him that the General Assembly is ready to receive any communication he may desire to make." (1920 Senate Journal page 8).
"The committee appointed to wait upon the Governor reported that it had performed its duty and asked to be discharged." (1920 Senate Journal page 10)

The comment of the discharge is puzzling, as there is no mention of Harrington's appearance. Perhaps he did make a very brief appearance, as it was the opening day of Session, as well as the day that election results were certified.

"At 2.50 o'clock P.M. the Secretary of State appeared and delivered the following message from the Executive" (1920 Senate Journal page 10)

Albert C. Ritchie

Date of First Address: January 4, 1922

"The committee appointed to wait upon the Governor reports that the Governor will deliver his message in person to the General Assembly, in joint session, in the Chamber of the House of Delegates this afternoon at 3.30 o'clock." (1922 House Journal page 11)

"At a joint session of the House and Senate Governor Ritchie delivered the following message:" (1922 House Journal page 12)

Text of message located in: GOVERNOR (Legislation File) Senate and House messages, 1922 session [MSA S1040-15, 2/28/1/5]

Date of Second Address: 1924

Date of Third Address: 1927

Date of Fourth Address: January 2, 1929

From the 1929 House Journal, Page 13:

"His Excellency, Hon. Albert C. Ritchie, Governor of Maryland, appeared in the House of Delegates Chamber to deliver his message to a joint meeting of the members of the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates."

Date of Fifth Address: January 2, 1931

From the 1931 House Journal, Page 23:

Governor Albert C. Ritchie "appeared in the Chamber of the House....for the purpose of delivering his message in person."

Date of Sixth Address: January 4, 1933

From the 1933 House Journal, Page 13-53, with text:

Governor Albert C. Ritchie "appeared in the House Chamber to deliver his message to a joint meeting..."

Date of Seventh Address: January 2, 1933

From the 1933 House Journal, Page 13-53, with text:

Governor appears before joint session to deliver message

Harry W. Nice

Date of First Address: January 6, 1937

From the 1937 House Journal, page 13 (no text):

Governor Harry W. Nice "delivered his message"

Date of Second Address: January 4, 1939

From the 1939 House Journal, pages 17-25 (with text):

"Message of Governor Harry W. Nice"

Herbert R. O'Conor

Date of First Address: January 1, 1941

From Volume 1 of the State Papers and Addresses of Herbert R. O'Conor, page 279 (see also MSA SC 4082-2-58):

"It is a privilege to address your honorable body..."

Date of Second Address: January 4, 1943

As per Capital, the "Governor's traditional message" is delivered.

"Address of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor to the General Assembly", See MSA SC 4082-2-53.

Date of Third Address: January 3, 1945

"Address of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor to the General Assembly of Maryland", See MSA SC 4082-2-54

Date of Fourth Address: January 1, 1947

"Address of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor to the General Assembly of Maryland" See MSA SC 4082-2-55

William Preston Lane

Date of First Address: January 5, 1949

From the 1949 House Journal, pages 28-102:

"Address of the Governor of Maryland"

Date of Second Address: February 1, 1950

Budget message printed in House Journal on pages 7-42; there does not appear to have been another message.

"Address of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor to the General Assembly", See MSA SC 4082-2-53.

Date of Third Address: January 3, 1951

From the Evening Capital, Page 11 of the January 4th, 1951 issue:

"Governor Lane, who will be succeeded next Wednesday by Republican Theodore R. McKeldin, delivered his final 'State of the State' message at a joint session last night."

From The Washington Post, Page B1 of the January 2nd, 1951 issue:

"The outgoing Governor, Democrat William Preston Lane, Jr., is slated to send down or deliver in person the traditional 'State of the State' message soon after the Assembly convenes.”

The Governor's address text appears in the House Journal on pages 13-20.

Theodore R. McKeldin

Date of First Address: 1952

There may have only been a budget message.

Date of Second Address: January 7, 1953

From the 1953 House Journal, pages 31-42:

"Message to the Legislature by Governor Theodore R. McKeldin"

This speech uses the term "State of the State" as a subject header within the address itself.

Date of Third Address: 1954

There may have only been a budget message.

Date of Fourth Address: January 5, 1955

Address published in House Journal on pages 30-34.

Date of Fifth Address: February 1, 1956

From the 1956 House Journal, page 71:

Governor McKeldin addresses a Joint Assembly, but text of address not provided.

Date of Sixth Address: January 18, 1957

From the 1957 House Journal, pages 156-161:

There may have only been a budget message.

Date of Seventh Address: February 5, 1958

From the 1958 House Journal, pages 69-77:

"State of the State and Abbreviated Budget Message of Theodore R. McKeldin"

Date of Eighth Address: January 7, 1959

From the 1959 House Journal, pages 18-22:

Governor McKeldin delivers an address welcoming the Assembly.

J. Millard Tawes

Date of First Address: January 27, 1959

From the 1959 House Journal, pages 131-137:

Budget message.

Date of Second Address: February 3, 1960

From Volume 1 of Messages, Addresses, and Public Papers of J. Millard Tawes, Governor of Maryland, 1959-1963, page 19:

"State of the State and Abbreviated Budget Message"

Date of Third Address: January 4, 1961

From Volume 1 of Messages, Addresses, and Public Papers of J. Millard Tawes, Governor of Maryland, 1959-1963, page 29:

"State of the State Message"

Date of Fourth Address: February 7, 1962

From Volume 1 of Messages, Addresses, and Public Papers of J. Millard Tawes, Governor of Maryland, 1959-1963, page 50:

"State of the State and Abbreviated Budget Message"

Date of Fifth Address: 1963

Perhaps no address separate from inaugural address and budget message? See Table of Contents, Volume 2 of the Messages, Addresses, and Public Papers of J. Millard Tawes, Governor of Maryland, 1959-1963

Date of Sixth Address: February 5, 1964

From Volume 2 of Messages, Addresses, and Public Papers of J. Millard Tawes, Governor of Maryland, 1963-1967, page 13:

"State of the State and Abbreviated Budget Message"

Date of Seventh Address: January 21, 1965

From Volume 2 of Messages, Addresses, and Public Papers of J. Millard Tawes, Governor of Maryland, 1963-1967, page 30:

"State of the State Message and Abbreviated Budget Message"

Date of Eighth Address: January 19, 1966

From Volume 2 of Messages, Addresses, and Public Papers of J. Millard Tawes, Governor of Maryland, 1963-1967, page 42:

"State of the State Message and Abbreviated Budget Message"

Date of Ninth Address: January 18, 1967

From the 1967 House Journal, pages 23-28:

"State of the State Message"

Spiro T. Agnew

Date of First Address: January 17, 1968

From Addresses and State Papers of Spiro T. Agnew, Governor of Maryland, 1967-1969, page 624:

"State of the State Message to the General Assembly"

Marvin Mandel

Date of First Address: 1969

Budget message found in House Journal beginning on p. 110. There does not appear to have been a separate address. Governor Agnew did give brief remarks welcoming the legislature.

Date of Second Address: January 21, 1970

Maryland State Archives SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Governor Marvin Mandel Collection) State of the State Message, Box 109 [MSA SC 5394, OR/06/14/69]; published in the House Journal on pp. 82-89.

Date of Third Address: January 28, 1971

From the 1971 House Journal, pages 140-148:

"State of the State Message"

Date of Fourth Address: January 19, 1972

From the 1972 House Journal, pages 160-167:

Governor's message indexed as "State of the State"

Date of Fifth Address: January 17, 1973

From the 1973 House Journal, pages 208-217:

"State of the State Message"

Date of Sixth Address: 1974

Date of Seventh Address: 1975

Date of Eighth Address: 1976

Date of Ninth Address: 1977

Blair Lee

Date of First Address: 1978

Harry R. Hughes

Date of First Address: January 17, 1979

Maryland State Archives SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Harry R. Hughes Collection) Box 56 Folder 2 [MSA SC 4975, 00/71/01/12]

Date of Second Address: 1980

Date of Third Address: 1981

Date of Fourth Address: January 20, 1982

Maryland State Archives SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Harry R. Hughes Collection) Box 56 Folder 8 [MSA SC 4975, 00/71/01/12]

Date of Fifth Address: 1983

Date of Sixth Address: January 18, 1984

Maryland State Archives SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Harry R. Hughes Collection) Box 58 Folder 10 [MSA SC 4975, 00/71/01/14]

Date of Seventh Address: January 16, 1985

Maryland State Archives SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Harry R. Hughes Collection) Box 59 Folder 10 [MSA SC 4975, 00/71/01/15]

Date of Eighth Address: January 15, 1986

Maryland State Archives SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Harry R. Hughes Collection) Box 60 Folder 16 [MSA SC 4975, 00/71/01/16]

William Donald Schaefer

Date of First Address: January 23, 1987

Governor's final copy with handwritten notes - Maryland State Archives SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Governor William Donald Schaefer Memorabilia Collection) Box 284, MSA SC 4403