Evening star., 1946-09-05
Democrats Open
Meeting 10 Pick
| Smith Is Believed
| Leading Contender
At Convention
BY Alex R. Preston
Ster Sfeff corrsspondsnf


sssr ssaff Correspondent
RICHMOND, Va, Sept. 5.-Del-
egates to the Virginia Demo-
cratic State Convention gathered
here today to dame a candidate
for the Senate seat of the late
Carter Glass, but their choice
appeared no nearer settled than
when the convention was called
three months ago.
Nominations of candidates are
not expected to be made on the con.
vention floor until late today-fol-
lowing the adoption of a memorial
resolution to Senator Glass, and
completion of the convention or
ganization.
While top party leaders had moth.
ing to say other than that they were
neutral, it appeared likely that the
l,128 votes would be split among the
five who have been most frequently
mentioned for the nomination.
They are:
Representative Smith of the 9th
district, considered by many OBJ
servers to be strongest of those men.
toned for the candidacy.
Senator Burch, who is serving the
interim period until the November
elections.
Representative A. Willis Robert
son.
Chairman William A. Wright Of
the State Conservation Commission,
only announced candidate for the
nomination.
G. S. Carter, Bristol Cva.) banker.
Delegation Backs Smith.
Representative Smith is assured
of almost solid support from his
9th district delegation who will
cast 1859 votes-second highest dis
trict vote In the State. Mr.. Smiths
supporters, chiefly from Arlington
County, blossomed out with CAM
paign posters and freely passed out
campaign buttons and lapel cards
stating Smith is the man"
While he is not avowedly seeking
the office, Mr.. Smith repeated his
earlier stand on the nomination to-
day when he told reporters he would
be receptive" to the nomination, in
which event he would withdraw as a
candidate to succeed himself in the
House of Representatives.
Chief topic among the delegates
before the convention opened was
the decision of Senator Burch, as to
whether he would retire. Although
Senator Burch repeatedly has de-
clared he desires to resign, he was
being urged to continue in ONCE in
order to avoid serious rift in the
party between supporters of Repre-
sentatives Smith and Robertson
the latter bearing the solid backing
of the 7th district with its 127 votes.
Senator Burch's name is expected to
be offered today before the first bal
lot is taken.
Burch Decision Is Vital.
II the incumbent carries out MS
desire to retire by insisting his name
not be considered, then the contest
will be between Mr.. Smith and Mr..
Robertson, according to observers.
Mr.. Wright's supporters from the
1st district, with 90 convention votes,
have established campaign head
Quarters for him at three of Rich
mond's hotels.
Mr.. Carter Is assured of 9th Cis.
trict support-171 votes-on the first
ballot. However, many of that dis
trict's delegates arrived uninstructed
and Representative Flanagan, also
of Bristol, was among State and
national figures here attempting to
line up the strength of constituents.
State Senator Harry Stuart, Russell
County, bore his community's in
dorsement, but last night he released
those votes to Mr.. Carter.
Switch Predicted.
Mr.. Stuart said the 9Th would
swing its support to Mr.. Robertson
after preliminary polls were taken.
Former Gov. Darden, expected to
be elected permanent convention
chairman, is the recognized strong
est candidate for the Senate-if he
would accept it. He insists that he
will not.
Senator Byrd, leader of the State
organization, and Senator Burch
had joint headquarters in the John
Marshall Hotel, where most precon.
vention activity occurred last night.
Mr.. Smith is expected to be NOM
mated by State Senator John S.
Battle, Charlottesville, who was at
one time mentioned as a possible
candidate. Former State Senator
G. O'Conor Goolrick, Fredericks-
burg, is expected to nominate Mr..
Wright and Delegate George M.
Warren. Bristol, to offer Mr.. Car
ter'S name. 1t could not be learned
who would offer Mr.. RobertsonS
name. Senator Burch's decision.
which remained uncertain, left in
doubt the person who would suggest
him.
Conclusion Today Doubtful.
A few clung to optimistic hopes
the convention could be ended to-
night, but most felt the number Of
prospective nominees, together with
the mechanics Of polling the votes,
would drag the session through to-
morrow at least.
The Democratic State Central
Committee last night suggested as
one rule that no nominee be elimi-
mated until after the third ballot II
none receives a majority vote.
Thereafter those with the lowest
and no votes would be dropped, but
their names could be offered again
after one roll call interveneS. II q
name Is dropped by this process for
as many as three times, however, 1t
cannot be considered by the conven-t
tion again.
Fairfax County delegates caucused
last night and elected Robert Nc
Candlish. jr., Fairfax, chairman, and
Lynton Gibson, Falls Church secrA
tary. They also voted to support
State Senator Andrew w. Clarke,
Alexandria, as chairman of today's
9th district caucus and recommend
ed the following committee assign
ments to the district caucus: