Evening star., 1946-06-25
Expected
Over Virginia
Senate Seat
Democrats to Hold
Convention Sept. 5
To Pick Candidate
BY the Assoeiofsd Pres,

RICHMOND, Va, June 25.-The
State Democratic Executive Com
nittee, which Chairman Horace H.
Edwards said was planning for
rouble," yesterday called a State
convention to be held in Richmond's
Mosque Auditorium September to
choose candidate for the unex.
oired term of the late Senator Car
er Glass.
The selection Of a Thursday in
'tead Of the usual Saturday date for
he convention was in preparation
for a fight for the nomination
which might keep the convention
n session for two or more days.
Also in preparation for such battle,
he committee authorized the chair
nan to name special committee to
recommend carefully drafted rules
10 the convention to cover the pro-
cedure. .
State conventions to nominate
for Office are unusual in
Virginia Democratic politics.
COP Convention July Fl.
Meanwhile. State Republican
party officials announced that a
candidate to succeed
Senator Glass will be named at q
convention at Roanoke
on July q. At the same time the
convention will vote on changes in
the party plan providing for Re-
publican primary to be held at the
request of county, city and district
candidates subject to general elec-
tions.
The basis of representation in the
Democratic convention was fixed
at one delegate for each 100 votes
or major fraction thereof cast for
the Democratic candidate in the
last election for Governor. Fifty
votes was defined as major frac-
ton. This will mean a convention
of approximately 1,125 delegates,
and Chairman Edwards urged that
districts, because of housing difficult
ties, not give delegates fractional
votes where overnight accomoda-
tons would be necessary.
The sessions of the State Central
Committee of 81 members, and Of
the Executive Committee of 18
members, were harmonious and
lasted less than an hour.
Sessions Harmonious.
While the committee sessions
were smooth and harmonious, the
political atmosphere was clouded.
Party big wigs were not talking, but
Representative Robertson of Lex
ington was present and introduced
at the committee meetings, and
Representative Smith OF Alexandria
was upstairs in suite in the John
Marshall Hotel.
The two Representatives, both
stalwarts in the Democratic organ
ization headed by Senator Byrd, are
regarded as likely contenders for
the nomination for the unexpired
term, which lasts through 1948, de-
spite a statement by Mr.. Robertson
last week apparently to eliminate
himself from consideration. Mr..
Smith has said he is receptive"
Judge Edwin Meeks of Amherst
and j. Cloyd Byars of Bristol, sthe
latter an independent opponent of
Senator Glass some 16 years ago.
remained the only announced candi-
dates. Judge Lucien Shrader Of
Amherst. campaign manager for
Judge Meeks, was present.
Neither Senators Byrd nor Burch,
the latter rooynol 1,x,E
succeed Senator Glass until the No.
vember election, were present. SEN
ator Burch, who has not closed the
way to having his name before the
convention, is a member of the Gen.
tral Committee from the 5th dis.
trict. Senator Byrd is opposed in
the August primary by Martin A.
Hutchinson. Richmond lawyer.
Party Plans "for Trouble"
Mr.. Edwards, Richmond city at
torney and State party chairman.
said party authorities were plan.
ming for trouble" although hoping
they would not have any. He told
the committee, however, that with
several candidates in the field the
convention might last long time
and that there would be a need
Tor definite rules governing pro-
cedure OF voting, nominating and
selecting the candidates.
The Executive Committee will
meet in Richmond the night of
September 4 to certify the tenn.
porary roll to the convention. Mr..
Edwards reminded those present
that credentials must be in ac-
cordance with party plan and ac-
companied by all actions of mass
meetings or local conventions Civ.
Ing instructions to delegates
When the Central Committee was
first called to order, the chairman
explained that the 1914 State con-
vention amended the party plan to
provide for convention if a va
cancy should occur too late to
nominate by primary. He said At
torney General A. P. Staples had
ruled that it was too late to have
a primary, because of the require
ment of 80 days notice for candi-
dacy.
He said 1t doesn't make sense
that Section 226 Of the election
laws did not apply, but that this
was the law. The section provides
that If a vacancy shall occur less
than so days, but more than 80 DAYS
before a regular primary, party
authorities may permit the filing
OF declarations of candidacy in the
primary. Senator Glass death was
more than go, but less than 90 days
before the August primary.
Church Council Asks
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