LEGISLATION FOR PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE 69

"What we envisage here is a person in whom the citizen could have
full confidence that his complaint would be investigated and remedial
action taken, " the Governor said.

"The idea, while relatively new in this country, is an old and suc-
cessful one in some European countries. Sweden has had a People's
Advocate or Ombudsman since 1809. Such an official later became a
part of the governmental structure of all of the Scandinavian countries
and of New Zealand.

"In this country several states are considering such an office and
Nassau County in New York created one last May 31.

"As I stated in a campaign position paper on this subject, I believe
it is the responsibility of State government to assure the individual
citizen of adequate protection against the capricious acts of public
authorities, " Governor Agnew said.

"I believe it is our indisputable obligation to guarantee, as does
the Bill of Rights, the means by which citizens may 'petition the
Government for a redress of grievances. '

"It has been my thought that such an individual is needed to in-
vestigate citizen allegations of:

"1. Preferential treatment and influence peddling.

"2. Arbitrary censorship, or secrecy in government operations.

"3. Payoffs and kickbacks in State contracts.

"4. Agency reluctance or refusal to give explicit reasons for its
decisions; or unjust procedures in agency hearings.

"5. Discriminatory enforcement or flagrant nonenforcement of

State laws, or abuses stemming from inadequate or unpublished
regulations.

"6. Inefficiency on the part of State personnel or agencies.

"7. Patronage excesses,

"8. Undesirable conditions in prisons or mental institutions.

"9. Wrongful detentions.

"10. Overzealousness or laxity on the part of State Police. "

The Administration bill provides that the People's Advocate "shall
be selected on the basis of learning and integrity. His personal quali-
ties should include industry, common sense, breadth and depth of
knowledge of the administrative process, ability to appreciate the
difficulties of private citizens in their dealing with officials of the
State government, and ability to command the respect and confidence
of the people of Maryland. "

The bill would take effect June 1, 1967.