Evening star., 1946-06-01
Deaf|h 6tassbringD
6 Into Prominence A!
Possible Candidates

At least six Virginians were prom
inently mentioned today as possible
Democratic candidates to succeed
the late Senator Carter Glass in the
November general election.
In addition to Thomas G. Burch
OF Martinsville, the Representative
from the 5th district, who yesterday
took the oath to serve as interim
Senator until the November election,
these men stood out as prospective
candidates:
Representatives A. Willis Robert
son of the 7th district and How
ard w. Smith of the 9th dis
trict, former Gov. Colgate w. Dar-
den, jr.; former State Senator C.
O'Conor Goolrick of Fredericksburg
and Ashton Dovell, former speaker
of the House of Delegates.
Procedure Still Unclear.
How the Democratic nominee
would be selected for the unexpired
term still was not clear. State Dem
ocratic Chairman Horace H. Ed
wards said he has not set date for
the State Central Committee to
meet, or had no idea of the date for
a State convention, which previ-
ously he had said would be the
method of nomination under the
party plan.
The prospective candidates were
split on whether the State conven-
tion or primary method should be
employed for selection of nominee.
Mr.. Goolrick and Mr.. Dovell pre-
ferred the primary election, but
neither knew whether it could be
legally held.
MIR. Smith said the rules clearly
require a convention and Mr..
Robertson, without expressing pref
erence, said he believed a primary
could not be called without special
session of the General Assembly.
Burch Fails to Announce.
After his appointment to the in
term term by Gov. Tuck, Mr.. Burch
told reporters he was not prepared
to say whether he would seek elec-
tion to fill out the unexpired term
after November. Earlier he had
announced his retirement from the
House to enter private life.
Commenting on the race, Mr..
Goolrick said he believed former
Gov. Darden should be the choice
If he chose to run. If Mr.. Darden
did not enter, then Mr.. Goolrick
might" become a candidate for the
nomination, he said.
Mr.. Darden was not available for
comment, but previously he has
told friends he did not want to re-
enter the political arena.
Mr.. Robertson said, I'm moving
In that direction" when asked if he
would be a candidate, but added
he wished a better picture of the
situation before making an an
nouncement.
Smith Receptive.
Said Mr.. Smith: Il am not an
nouncing my candidacy, but if my
name is presented to a convention
as it very likely will bel should
be receptive to the nomination"
1t was considered possible Mr..
Dovell, who broke with the domi-
nant Democratic organization two
years ago, might enter the general
election as an independent. Asked
If he would be a Democratic can
didate, he said, THAT depends"
Senator Harry F. Byrd was re-
ported as saying any aspirant
would have a chance to-. win the
nomination Senator Pvrd hae
been aligned politically with Messrs
Robertson, Smith and Darden, thu
latter being his campaign manager
In the present primary campaign.
Three others mentioned as pos
bible candidates eliminated them
selves. They were former Repre-
sentative Clifton A. Woodrum OF
the 9Th district, former State Sen.
ator John j. Wicker, jr., of Rich
y