It is a festive occasion—buoyed by the confidence expressed by all
Democrats who have long recognized the valuable contribution the
women have made, and will continue to make, to the success of our
Party....

Much of our effort so far has been devoted to assisting local can-
didates. Only last week, all of us met in Baltimore with more than
100 candidates for the House of Delegates and State Senate....
I might say at this time that the idea for that conference came from
Carlton Sickles, our candidate for Congressman-at-large. The reaction
to the conference suggested by Carlton was overwhelmingly enthu-
siastic. And Carlton made an additional excellent point during that
conference when he noted that the five of us seeking statewide office
are not running on any one individual's ticket. Rather, he said, we
are running as Democrats on the Democratic ticket. And, as Demo-
crats, we will win in November....

We fully intend to wage a positive campaign designed to enlighten
the voters of this State as to the significant issues.

I am confident that we will have your wholehearted support in this
endeavor. The Democratic women in this State have been a force
for good. They have been active and because of this activity they
have brought the voters closer to the candidates....

It has been my privilege as Governor to appoint a great many
women to key posts in State government. They have all performed
admirably. I want to make it clear, however, that I did not appoint
these women simply because of the fact that they were women. I did
it because they were qualified to hold office. For the first time in
history a woman is serving on the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City.
Women serve on the Board of Regents of the University of Maryland,
on the State Board of Education, on the Commission on Interracial
Problems and Relations. And a woman is chairman of the Com-
mission on Problems of the Aging.

I have had the privilege of appointing almost 100 women to
various positions of statewide importance since taking office in 1959.
Not only are they a credit to their sex, they are a credit to the
Democratic Party and to the State of Maryland.

I was extremely gratified when the Democratic Convention adopted
a platform on June 8 which included the following plank on women
in public office. I quote from that plank. "The recognition given to
the women of Maryland by the present Democratic Administration
has been gratifying indeed, and suggests that the inclusion of special

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