Next year—1967—the Constitution under which we are now oper-
ating will be 100 years old. As had been said so often, it has been
amended more than a hundred times since it was adopted. Some idea
of how clumsy and ineffective it is as a document of basic law can be
gained from the fact the sixteen additional amendments to the Con-
stitution will be on the ballot in the General Election next November.
This is appalling. Discounting the "Bill of Rights" amendments,
which historically are a part of the original document, this represents
more amendments than have been made to our Federal Constitution
since it was ratified in 1789.

In view of all this, I was deeply pleased that the General Assembly
approved a Constitutional Convention for 1967, subject to the Sep-
tember 13 referendum. I regard this act as one of the outstanding
achievements of this administration. I urge every voter in the State
of Maryland to go to the polls on Primary Election day and cast a
vote for the Constitutional Convention.

I congratulate those of you who have gathered here today to begin
this important mission, and I pledge my cooperation and assistance,
and the cooperation and assistance of every department and agency
of the State, in the task which you have so admirably assumed.

It is my hope that the voters of Maryland on September 13 will give
those who will serve in the Constitutional Convention next year a
resounding mandate to fashion a body of basic law that will serve the
best interests of Marylanders of our generation and of many genera-
tions to come.

ADDRESS, SOUTHERN GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE
KENTUCKY DAM VILLAGE STATE PARK

September 19, 1966

Governor Breathitt, Kentucky's reputation for friendliness and
cordiality was known to all of us before we came here, but the warmth
of the reception we have received here at Kentucky Dam Village has
exceeded our highest expectations. We are truly grateful to you and
to the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for your generous
hospitality. I am deeply impressed, as I know the others of our con-
ference are, by the majestic beauty of this spot which we chose for our
1966 meeting. It was a happy choice, and we are most grateful to you
for having recommended it to us. In such attractive surroundings,

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