records at the polls on November 6, I do not feel it is necessary for
me to lecture you on that subject. Regarding the phrase that "politics
is the art of the possible, " I, of course, can lay no claim to having
coined it, nor do I have any monopoly on its use. As one with some
experience in political affairs, however, I do subscribe to the doctrine,
and I would expect that during the next four years you and 1, working
together on some of the tough problems of State government, will have
an opportunity to become better acquainted with the delicate art of
the possible.

Our purpose in inviting you to come here today was to offer you
any information we may possess that will assist you in discharging the
heavy responsibilities you bear as representatives of your counties and
your legislative districts in the lawmaking branch of our State govern-
ment. To put it another way, we are here to offer you guidance in
the elementary procedures and practices of legislative bodies and in
no sense to give you direction as to the course you are to take as the
duly elected legislative representatives of the people.

When you return here on January 2 to begin your duties, you will
be called upon to face many burdensome tasks and to shoulder many
heavy responsibilities. You and I—I as chief executive and you as
lawmakers—have received a grave mandate from the people of Mary-
land—a mandate to carry on the government of this State as skillfully
as possible, as effectively as possible, as economically as possible for
the next four years.

In many respects, the first legislative session is the most important
legislative session of a term. It is the session at which we may be
expected to lay the groundwork for carrying out our mandate. And
so, what we accomplish, or fail to accomplish, in these halls from
January 2 through the end of the session in all probability will be
reflected throughout our term. You will be called upon during this
first session to make decisions on many issues vitally affecting the lives
of the people of this State. As your Governor, I am now formulating
a legislative program which I shall ask you to support—a program
which I shall outline to you in appearances before your two bodies.

Of paramount importance at every session of the General Assembly
is the State budget—the plan for financing all State programs and all
State institutions over a one-year period. It is my constitutional
obligation, as chief executive of the State, to prepare in detail this
budget and present it to you for your final approval. It is your con-
stitutional obligation to scrutinize this document and make whatever
alterations or recommendations you deem fit.

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