ADDRESS, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES CONFERENCE
BALTIMORE

August 18, 1962

Let me preface my remarks to you today by noting that one of the
duties of the Governor of Maryland is to appear before a joint
session of the House of Delegates and State Senate each year and
inform them of the progress that has been accomplished in the pre-
vious year and to outline plans for the future.

I fully expected to see all of you at the next session of the General
Assembly when I once again perform this duty. As President Kennedy
has pointed out so often, a chief executive must have the support of
a majority of members of both Houses if he is to enact his programs.
Here in Maryland, my friends, the situation is much the same. During
the past four years, a Democratic legislature working in harmony
with a Democratic executive branch has brought about unprecedented
progress in all areas of state government. It is our task in this coming
political campaign to insure that this progress continues to the
benefit of all Marylanders. It is our task then, to insure the election
of a Democratic legislature and a Democratic Governor. Through
mutual assistance, we can accomplish this task. It was for this pur-
pose that this conference was called today.

If we are to be successful in November, it is important that we
fully understand the issues of the upcoming campaign. It is imperative
that we know exactly what has been accomplished during the past
four years and what we have in mind for the future. It is important
that you people here know this information because you are the ones
who must carry the message of the Democratic Party across the length
and breadth of Maryland. You are the ones who must be equipped
to counter the barrage of misinformation we can expect to emanate
from Republican candidates as the campaign progresses. You are the
ones who will determine whether or not President Kennedy will be
given the necessary working majority in Congress so he may enact the
vital programs that have been blocked by representatives of a party
that is steeped in a tradition of negativism. You are the ones to
determine whether or not the many dynamic programs we have begun
at the state level will continue unabated or be hamstrung by a
political party wedded to a "do nothing" philosophy....

It is our hope that at the conclusion of today's conference you will
have in your possession the information necessary to accomplish this

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