REJECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION 805

Student Councils. Meaningful progress will only begin when there
is understanding and acceptance, by all our citizens, of mutual goals.
The urban, the suburban and the rural viewpoints must be com-
municated as the very first step toward consensus. Students in down-
town Baltimore will gain insight by learning that there are plenty
of problems in Western Maryland's Appalachia region. Students from
the suburbs should learn of the inner City experience. And students
from both sides of the shores of the Chesapeake Bay have something
to say and something to learn, too.

We boast of Maryland being "America in Miniature. " We have all
its geographical virtues and all of its different points of view. We also
have many of America's problems in miniature and their resolution
depends on a better understanding of ourselves, our private and public
goals. I cannot stress strongly enough how important a contribution
this could be to our progress as a State.

STATEMENT ON REJECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION

May 14, 1968

The people of Maryland have spoken and, while I view the results
of today's election with deep disappointment, I submit that it demon-
strates the great strength of our democratic system in that the people
decide the most important issues.

I do not believe that the failure of this particular Constitution can
be interpreted as a failure for constitutional reform. The need for
constitutional reform goes on, as is clearly indicated by the many votes
cast for the proposed document. With this in mind it is my hope that
the Legislative Council of the General Assembly will shortly consider
ways in which we can achieve at least the most imperative reforms
through customary legislative action.

We cannot allow all hope for progress to die with the failure of
this single document. If anything, we must turn today's defeat into
victory by heightened initiative and activity within the executive and
legislative branches of State government.