SKETCH OF GOVERNOR

Governor: ALBERT C. RITCHIE (Democrat), Baltimore.

Albert C. Ritchie was born August 29, 1876. His father
was Judge Albert Ritchie, who had been a member of the
Maryland Constitutional Convention of 1867, City Solicitor
of Baltimore, City Counselor of Baltimore, President of the
Maryland Historical Society, Professor at the University of
Maryland Law School, and Judge of the Supreme Bench of
Baltimore City. His inother before her marriage was Miss
Elizabeth Caskie Cabell, of Richmond, Virginia.

Mr. Ritchie received his early education in private schools
in Baltimore, and graduated from the Johns Hopkins Uni-
versity in 1896 with the degree of A. B.. and from the Uni-
versity of Maryland Law School in 1898 with the degree of
LL. B. In 1920 he received the degree of LL. D. from the
University of Maryland and from St. John's College.

Upon his graduation Mr. Ritchie began the practice of law
in Baltimore with the firm of Steele, Semmes, Carey and
Bond, of which firm he became a member in 1900. In March,
1903, he was appointed Assistant City Solicitor of Balti-
more, holding this position until July 1, 1910, when he re-
signed.

In November, 1903, Mr. Ritchie formed a partnership for
the general practice of law with Mr. Stuart S. Janney, un-
der the firm name of Ritchie and Janney, which firm later
became Ritchie, Janney & Griswold, and still later Ritchie,
Janney & Stuart. Mr. Ritchie was a member of this firm
until his election as Governor.

In 1907 he was appointed Professor of Law at the Uni-
versity of Maryland Law School, and served in this capac-
ity until his election as Governor.

On July 1, 1910, Mr. Ritchie became Assistant General
Counsel to the Public Service Commission. This is the posi-
tion popularly known as People's Counsel, and it was in this
capacity that Mr. Ritchie represented the people of Balti-
more in his noteworthy fight for cheaper gas and electricity,
which resulted in reducing the price of gas from 90 to 80
cents per 1000 cubic feet, and the price of electricity from
10 to 8 1/2 cents per K. W. H. On February 16, 1913, Mr.
Ritchie resigned this position to devote all of his time to
private practice.

In September, 1915, Mr. Ritchie was nominated in the
direct primary on the Democratic ticket for Attorney Gen-
eral of Maryland, and in November, 1915, he was elected to
that office by a majority of 25,000.