choice that is before you is simply whether you want a continuation
of progressive, sound and honest government or whether you want
to turn our State House over to a group of insincere and inexperienced
men who would like to control that government for their own selfish
purposes. To put it a bit more plainly, the choice you have is between
me and an opponent of mine in this primary race who in the opinion
of many is completely dominated by and wholly subservient to Jack
Pollack.
If there was ever a doubt in the mind of anyone of you that this
self-centered, greedy and ambitious political boss wants to take over
your State government, such a doubt, I am sure, has been erased by
events which have occurred during these past few days. For Jack
Pollack, cornered, frightened and desperate, has displayed his true
character and his real objectives for all to see. Like many others in
political life before me, I gave some recognition to Jack Pollack, and
like many others before me also, I have learned through hard, bitter
experience that one does not deal with Jack Pollack in the same way
that one deals with ordinary people. He is cruel, calculating and heart-
less, and, when frustrated, as he has become frustrated during this
campaign, he is capable of any mischief, regardless of how ignoble or
how dishonorable.
In my 1958 campaign for the Governorship, I discussed my plans
with any number of political leaders throughout this State. Jack
Pollack was among these. Political patronage, as is always the case,
was among the many topics discussed. I had been in office only
about three months when I realized that it would be impossible for me
to continue a workable relationship with Jack Pollack and at the
same time perform my duties to you the people of Maryland in the
Office of Governor. My duty, in such a situation, of course was clear,
and, in repudiating him and his demands, I created the first in a
long series of controversies which led to the final, irreparable split
between us in this campaign.
It was after I had refused his unreasonable demands for patronage—
for control of the Baltimore City Liquor Board, for control of The
Board of Supervisors of Election, for judgeships—that I first heard
of the secret tape recordings you have heard about. His first threat
was made within the shadow of my Office, while the General Assembly
was in session, when he threatened to play some kind of tape he said
he had unless I yielded to him on some of the executive nominations
I had made. I stood my ground and told him to go ahead and play
his tape. The mysterious tape recording as a device of blackmail
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