He spoke of the development of an educational system under which
every American child may have the best education that we can pro-
vide. He described an America that is concerned with the plight of
the poor and the elderly and demands equality of opportunity for all
of its citizens. He envisioned a society in which the people are healthy
and which matches its achievements in medicine with the afflictions
of the people. And for educated and healthy Americans, he would
have them living in surroundings "in harmony with their hopes. "
Such a society embodies the hopes and the dreams of Americans,
and I believe most of us are confident that the goals our President
has established are attainable in our time.

In any event, I think most Marylanders would demand of us that
we pursue the course our national Leader has set. And so, I would
suggest that we — here and now — make our moves in a direction that
will lead us to these objectives. On our lower plane, and within our
limited scope, the State of Maryland can do much to bring to ful-
fillment these bold and noble aspirations. I am submitting for your
consideration at this session a program which, in a broad way, en-
visions these objectives: a free people, a healthy people, an en-
lighten people, a prosperous people, a happy people. I am no Utopian,
and realize that perfect freedom, perfect health, perfect enlighten-
ment, perfect prosperity and perfect happiness are beyond our grasp.
But at least we can march in that direction, and, for my part, this I
am determined we shall do.

THE BUDGET

As you know, we have a two-fold purpose at this session:

1. To set a policy and adopt a program for the financial operation
of our State Government for the fiscal year which begins next
July 1.

2. To enact such laws as will, in the words of the Declaration of
Rights of our Maryland Constitution, bring about "the general
melioration of the condition of the people. "

The budget you received yesterday in all its detail, and therefore
in this message I shall discuss only what I consider to be its salient
points. The budget shows that our main effort is being directed to-
ward the essential services of education, health and welfare — services
which affect directly the lives of the people. Of the general funds
allotted, 52. 9 per cent goes for public education, including appropria-
tions for public higher education. Another 20. 5 per cent is allotted

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