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thereof the following: "Section 9 General
Welfare of the People. It is the policy of
the State that all persons shall have eco-
nomic security and the opportunity for em-
ployment, in order that they may live in
decency, dignity, and health. The General
Assembly shall continue to implement this
policy."
THE CHAIRMAN: The amendment is
offered by Delegate Kiefer. Is there a
second?
DELEGATE BENNETT: Second.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Bennett
seconds the amendment.
Delegate Kiefer, do you desire to speak
to the amendment?
DELEGATE KIEFER: Mr. Chairman,
just briefly to say this: First, the Com-
mittee considered this matter at some
length and we decided that this would be
included as a provision in Recommenda-
tion 2 which is not a section that will be
necessarily in the Bill of Rights. In other
words, we thought of this as part of the
general concept of policies of government
and would be in the general provisions.
Now, this is not a new concept. I call
your attention to Article 43 of the Declara-
tion of Rights as it now exists. It says in
part that the legislature ought to encour-
age the general remuneration of the condi-
tion of the people, and we are stating in
more modern language the concept that this
state is concerned with the general welfare
of the people. I have nothing to add to
what Delegate Mitchell has so eloquently
expressed, and I urge the adoption of the
amendment.
THE CHAIRMAN: The question arises
on the adoption of Amendment No. 14 as a
substitute for section 9 of the Committee
Recommendation. Is there any discussion?
For what purpose does Delegate Gleason
rise?
DELEGATE GLEASON: Mr. Chairman,
I want to speak on the proposal.
THE CHAIRMAN: Speak in favor or
opposition?
DELEGATE GLEASON: In opposition.
THE CHAIRMAN: Opposition to the
amendment?
DELEGATE GLEASON: Yes, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: You may speak.
DELEGATE GLEASON: Fellow dele-
gates, the remarks that we have just heard
from Delegate Mitchell —
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THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Gleason, I
should mention to you that the question
now is merely the suggestion of this sec-
tion for the section that is in the Commit-
tee Recommendation. It is not a vote on
the adoption of the section.
DELEGATE GLEASON: I get the mes-
sage, Mr. Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Koger, do
you wish to speak to the amendment?
DELEGATE KOGER: I am opposed to
the amendment.
THE CHAIRMAN: You may speak.
DELEGATE KOGER: Mr. Chairman,
ladies and gentlemen, I would like very
much at this time, if you would listen very
carefully to what I am about to say, be-
cause you may find to some extent that my
discourse will be somewhat different. I
would not like to be misquoted er to have
my statement be confused.
Today you have a most unusual condi-
tion in the United States. Here in the
greatest nation in the world you have ex-
tremely rich and powerful people and a
most desperate people living side by side.
The economic system of this free land of
enterprise is completely out of balance. The
poor need a break and a lift up the ladder.
In this recommendation Maryland is being
asked to invest in the economic future of
the people of this state. This is a laudable
thought, even if it is an impossible one.
It is not only that you cannot enforce
this recommendation or this amendment,
but it may come as a boomerang as it
promises a welfare state and I most
heartily disapprove of a welfare state.
Minorities have agitated for economic
opportunities over and over again, and our
fight for economic rights, fair housing, em-
ployment opportunities, public accommoda-
tions, right to vote, adequate education,
right to organize, and the right to consumer
protection against bad business practices
goes on. I think the government should do
something about it. I feel it is doing some-
thing about it, and should do even much
more.
Still, I do not believe this amendment
adds a thing to this question, but I believe
that the recommendation may prove to be
a haven for lost hopes, lack of industry,
ambition, and inspiration.
This is not what I feel we need. This is
not the answer to the economic opportu-
nity, whether you live in the Appalachian
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