Evening star., 1944-12-05
|Darden Calls
Session on New
War Ballot Law
Reference to Limit
On Program Omitted
In Announcement
By the Associated Press.

~~~~S~~~N~N~
RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 5.-The
General Assembly of Virginia will
convene in special session here De-
cember IA to consider the problem
of new and valid War Voters Act.
The call was the first step in the
possible calling of the first consti-
tutlonal convention in AZ years
This was announced here late
Yesterday by Gov. Darden, who stat
ed: Il have given careful consider
alton to every phase of this ques-
ton. am taking this step because
I believe it is in the best interest Of
the people of the Commonwealth"
Approval of the action of the
Governor was voiced by Speaker Of
the House Thomas B. Stanley, who
declared that the calling of the
special session would put into op-
Grafton machinery by which men
and women in the armed forces can
vote"
Gov. Darden, in his brief an
Inouncement, mentioned no recon-
mendation concerning limiting a
constitutional convention to the
single purpose of removing restric-
t1ons for a new and effective war
voters law. However, he has taken
the stand that such a convention
should be so limited.
Legion Backs Governor.
The Governor is backed in his
stand by the American Legion and
others, but opposing him and in
favor OF outright abolition of the
poll tax are Republican leaders, the
Committee of 100, State leaders of
the American Federation of Labor,
the C1O State leaders, the Virginia
Electoral Reform League, and
others.
Gov. Darden, in a recent state
ment, contended that no major
change in the Constitution should
be made in the absence of the serv-
ice personnel and without their
knowledge and consent" He con-
tended also that a prolonged con-
ventlon to consider major changes
would inevitably delay the decision
past the time when it would help
the soldiers
April has been mentioned by
American Legion officials as the
"deaoline" for a new act if ballots
are to be prepared and sent Vir-
glnlans overseas in time for count
ing in next years primary and elec-
ton.
1t is the opinion of many persons
conversant with the situation that
a constitutional convention would
be the only means of clearing the
way for an extension of the voting
privilege to service personnel be-
cause of present constitutional re-
stricitons. The State Supreme
Court of Appeals held recently that
the 1914 act violated the constitu-
ton both in respect to provisions
for registration and payment of
servicemen's poll tax from a special
State fund.
Three Judgeships Vacant.
Also before the General Assembly
. when it convenes next week will be
the filling of three judgeships. The
vacancies were created by the death
of Judge James U. Goode of the
/: Norfolk Corporation Court, the
death of Judge j. T. Clement of the
seventh judicial circuit and the re-
tirement because of i'll health of
Judge Beverly Berkley of the Roa-
noke Law and Equity Court.
Another pending legislative mat
ter is the case of law enforcement
in Norfolk County. The House
adopted a committee recommended
tion at the 1914 session that the
Governor call a special session to
consider the removal of Judge A. B.
Carney of the Norfolk County Cir
cult Court if the State Supreme
Court did not act to retire the Judge.
The Supreme Court declined to
act in the case on the grounds that
the beneflcent provisions of the re-
tlrement act were not intended to
cover a judge who might be i'm
peached under charges of mall
teasance or misfeasance.
! Still another vacancy to be filled
is the post on the State Corporation
Commission to which Senator Rob-
ert Q. Norris, jr,, Of Lively, had
been appointed. The Supreme Court
held that the appointment made by
the Governor was invalid from the
outset.