Recently, one of the great metropolitan daily newspapers of our
State was commenting editorially on the increase in the cost of operat-
ing the State government. It noted that the population of Maryland
was 1. 8 million in 1940, that it jumped to 2. 3 million ten years later,
that it moved upward to 3. 1 million in 1960 and that it is expected
to reach 3. 9 million when the next decennial census is taken in 1970.
The writer pointed out that this upward trend in population was
such that corresponding growth in State spending was inevitable
"if State service and functions were not to slip backward. "

Did they slip backward? What did the newspaper editor think?

"Needless to say, " he wrote, "the services and functions have not
slipped backward. They have been expanding. " This appraisal — this
estimate that we not only have not slipped backward, but have taken
significant strides ahead in all the services and all the functions of
State government — is apparent to anyone who cares to examine the
record of the past eight years.

As I have said on numerous occasions, I think that, all things
considered, we have had a good measure of success in handling the
government of the State for the best interests of the people we serve,
and I have doubt that the future will so judge us. This is not to say
that no mistakes have been made. To be sure there have been errors
and mistakes. But by and large, I think the record of the past eight
years is good, and with this "acid, final test" of our stewardship, the
Democratic Party deserved the reapproval of the electorate.

Within the time limits which I have prescribed for myself, it would
not be possibly to review in any detail these achievements. But just
briefly I would like to enumerate a few of them. Maryland has made
notable progress in education, from the elementary grades through
our colleges and our University, since this Democratic Administration
came to power in 1959. In 1964, we made drastic revisions in the
formula and in the amounts of money we appropriate for the opera-
tion of public school. The salaries of school teachers have risen
steadily over the years. More than 8, 500 new classrooms have been
built.

Our record in public higher education is just as impressive. The
present three-part system of higher education, including our great
University, the improved and enlarged State college system, and the
steadily growing and ever more important community college move-
ment, is the handiwork of this Administration.

In eight years, our appropriation for public higher education rose
from $26. 9 million to $60. 7 million.

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