916 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

I welcome you to the heart of Maryland's government; and as you
walk through our State House, I hope you'll think of it as a symbol of
our nation's government combining the traditional mechanics of
representative democracy with modern knowledge to improve our
government's original and enduring purpose — the guarantee of each
individual's inalienable right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness. "

NEWS CONFERENCE
July 18, 1968

OPENING STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Because of some rather wild conjecturing and speculating that has
been done in the afternoon papers today, I think it is necessary for
me to clarify a few things about the Executive Assembly.

First of all, the total amount that the Executive Assembly has col-
lected by way of membership dues of a thousand dollars each is about
$35, 000, not |150, 000, as reported. I wish we did have $150, 000 be-
cause I'm sure we could put it to good use. Hopefully the amount
will expand as time goes on.

Secondly, this is not an Agnew fund. The money is collected and
channeled directly through the State Central Committee of the Re-
publican Party. I do not control its disbursement. It is not under
any circumstances to be used for my personal expense of the nature
of any personal entertaining. It is strictly for Republican Party use.
This will include, of course, picking up logical Party expenses, such as
travels of Party officials to various Governors' and other conferences.

But I would estimate that the amount of money that is going to
be used for expenses is going to be a very small percentage. Most
of this money we hope to throw into various Republican candidates'
campaigns, and I think that should be certainly clarified because of
the misconception that this is some sort of slush fund for the Gov-
ernor.

Now I don't believe that I should impose upon the State the re-
sponsibility of paying for any trips that are politically oriented. I
have studiously avoided this. I'm frank to admit I don't have the
personal resources to finance these various trips around the country,