Everyone has long suspected that Gov. William Donald Schaefer will not go quietly.

Yesterday, at the end of his last General Assembly session, he set Baltimore's City Hall abuzz with a remark to a television station. Asked if he planned to run for mayor, Mr. Schaefer said no -- but he would not rule out City Council president.

"I think the president of City Council, I wouldn't mind that job," Mr. Schaefer, who served as council president from 1967 to 1971 and later as mayor, told WBAL-TV.

Council President Mary Pat Clarke, who plans to challenge

Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke next year, later quipped, "He did it well when he did it. Of course, now that a woman has had the job, the standards are even higher."

Two council members who covet the top post said Mr. Schaefer would make the race more interesting.

"I think it would be a fun and exciting campaign," said Councilman Carl Stokes, a 2nd District Democrat.

But Council Vice President Vera P. Hall, a two-term Democrat from the 5th District, said, "I think the governor's a terrific man. I'd like him to help me run for president. "