Evening star., 1946-09-04
Democrats Open
State ConcIave
Tomorrow
Smith and Robertson
Most Mentioned
To Succeed Glass
Rv AIax praeko.
By Alex R. Preston
Siar Sfoff CORRESPONDENT

RICHMOND, Va, Sept. 4-As
delegates to tomorrow's Democratic
State. convention began arriving
here. two of Northern Virginia s
members of the House-Representa-
Z tives Smith of the 9th district and
Robertson of the 7th-were most
frequently mentioned as the nomi-
nees to succeed the late Senator
Glass.
Prospects of ending the conven-
ton tomorrow night were regarded
as dim. however, due to controver-
sial rules which must be adopted
and the nomination of number Of
"favorite son" candidates by most
of the congressional district dele
cations.
Former Gov Darden. who has
been emphatic in declining the use
of his name as candidate to the
Senate and who is regarded as the
one man behind whom most fac
tions would unite, is the nearly
unanimous choice to be named
permanent convention chairman.
Medley-Bryan Delegation.
Particular interest in the 9th dis
trict was focused on the arrival OF
the Arlington delegation with IS
votes, headed by State Senator Will
liam D. Medley and Alexandria, 2S
votes. with Commemorative At
torney Albert v. Bryan as Its chair
man. Mr.. Medley arrived this
morning and Mr.. Bryan was ex-
pected here this evening or early
tomorrow.
Should Mr.. Smith receive the
senatorial nomination. Mr.. Medley
and Mr.. Bryan would seek the va
Gated House seat.
The State Democratic Central
Committee will convene at 8 o'clock
tonight at the John Marshall Hotel,
and the Appeals Committee headed
by Gardner Boothe of Alexandria
will meet at 8:15 pm, primarily to
consider a clash between rival
groups in Cumberland County.
Several of the Northern Virginia
delegations will caucus tonight at
the John Marshall Hotel while
others, including Arlington, will
caucus tomorrow morning at the
Mosque, where the convention
proper will get under way officially
at noon.
Fight on Proposed Rules.
Already a preconvention Rules
Advisory Committee has prepared
regulations to govern the conven-
tion, which may run into Friday
before agreement is reached on a
nominee. Under the tentative plan
yet to be approved by the regular
convention Rules Committee and
the delegates-a majority of the
1.128 votes will be needed to nomi-
nate.
Most controversial proposed rule,
however, and the one believed most
likely to prolong the session would
provide that no candidate need be
eliminated until after the third bal
lot and eliminated candidates may
again be offered after the fifth
ballot.
Thus supporters Of "favorite sons"
who would be forced to withdraw
their candidates if the total vote is
split too many ways, again could
prefer their selections in later stages
of the convention.
7th District Committed.
Many of the 7th district delegates
arriving here today already are
committed by a unit rule to support
Mr.. Robertson, who is regarded as
an "unannounced candidate" even
though he has stated he would not
be a candidate because of the ex-
pense of Statewide campaign.
Most 9th district delegations also
have been committed to Mr.. Smith,
who has indicated his "receptivity'
to the nomination. Favorite son
supporters from other sections of
the State, however, are expected to
object to Mr. Smith on the ground
that his labor legislation record
would lose his party much support
in urban districts.
Chairman William A. Wright OF
the State Conservation Commission
"favorite son" of the 1st district, is
the only announced candidate for
Mr.. Glass seat which is being filled
by former Representative Burch
until the end of this year. Senator
Burch, n, has indicated his desire
not to remain in Office because he
wants to retire, but 5th district
delegations will propose his name
at the beginning of the balloting
tomorrow.
Two new names have been in
jected-almost at the last minute
into the preconvention speculation
They are those of State Senator
Morton G. Goode, Dinwiddie Coun-
ty, in the 4th district, and Demo-
cratic State Chairman Horace H
Edwards of Richmond.
Mr.. Robertson's workers have ex-
pressed the belief that the 9th dis
strict will swing heavily to him II
G. S. Carter, Bristol banker, does
vsof oSir, parlv Ctate-uidp favor