WILLIAM PRESTON LANE, JR. 49

That having friends from out-of-state

Is sometimes bad, not good.

And in the tense ninth inning

When Chuck shrieks, "Go to War, "

Thank goodness it's Miss Agnes,

Not me, he's calling for.

Yes, Chuck, I clear forget

When you are on the air

The nettles in the Chesapeake,

The swim Judge Tom took there;

The fact that constitutions

Are prone to age and grey,

That we must clear the bases

Like on a double play.

You help me to forget, good friend,

The passions of the fight,

The ever constant struggle

Between the wrong and right.

But once the game is over

And you've announced the score

I'm ready to remember

The State I'm working for:

To keep it moving onward,

To keep it strong and free,

To do as much for Maryland

As Maryland's done for me.

STATEMENT ON DEATH OF FORMER GOVERNOR
WILLIAM PRESTON LANE, JR.

February 7, 1967

It was with deep sadness that I learned today of the death of a great
Maryland governor and statesman, the Honorable William Preston
Lane, Jr.

His deeds and accomplishments in the four productive years between
1947 and 1951 stand as a landmark for all who succeed him in this
office. And his service to his State went beyond his administration as
governor, the latest as honorary chairman of the commission planning
a redrafting of the State Constitution.