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States Constitution.

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Maryland was a leader in the formation of the

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government of the United States. In keeping with this

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tradition of leadership, Maryland today is in the forefront

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of a movement to improve our state governments by rewriting

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the antiquated constitutions which are hampering the

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ability of our states to tackle effectively the problems

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of this century. Many states are watching us closely for

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encouragement in their own efforts to redraft their inade-

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quate state charters.

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Within a few hours our work here will be com-

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pleted, and for my part I am persuaded that we have produced

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a good, sound, reasonable basic law for the people of

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Maryland. Ah yes, I have had some doubts about parts, as

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I suspect most — if not all — of you have.

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But when I am assailed by these doubts, as I

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have been a few times, I am reminded of a moving and drama-

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tic event that occurred in the early years of our Republic.

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It was in Philadelphia in 1787, and a little

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band of statesmen had just completed, much as we have now,

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a final draft of a document — a document that later was