Evening star., 1946-09-06
| Robertson Is Named
Democratic Candidate
For Glass Senate Seat
By Alexander R. Preston
Sfor SioH Corrsspondep,

RICHMOND, Sept. 6.-Repre-
sentative A. Willis Robertson to-
day was the choice of Virginia
Democrats to succeed the late
Senator Carter Glass and will
be the party's candidate against
Robert H. Woods, Pearisburg Re-
publican, and Howard Carwile
Richmond, independent, in No
vember.
His nomination by acclamation BY
the Democratic State Convention
came after the third ballot last night
and when a landslide OF votes shift.
ed to his column from that of C. S
Carter, Bristol, favorite son of the
9th district.
At meeting of seventh district
leaders today in the John Marshal u
Hotel, it was decided to hold con-
vention in Staunton September q
to nominate a successor to Mr.. Rob-
lertson
Three persons are being promi-
nently mentioned for the House va
cancy. They are c. G. Quesenberry
Waynesboro, veteran member of the
House of Delegates; G. Fred Swift
zer, Harrisonburg, chairman of the
Seventh District Democratic Com
mittee, and M. j. Menefee, Luray
secretary to Senator Byrd.
Mr.. Robertson's victory sends
down to defeat Representative How
ard Smith, Alexandria, and thus
forestalls development of an 8th
district House race before Novem-
Der between State Senator William
D. Medley. Arlington, and Common
wealth's Attorney Albert v. Bryan
Alexandria.
The full extent OF Mr.. Robertson's
victory in the third ballot shortly
before IL pm. was never oficially
announced. Unofficially, he held 49,
votes; Mr.. Smith, 1896, and Mr.. Car
ter. 129 in the field of seven re-
manning candidates. Before the
tally was announced, however, 9th
district delegations began switching
their support from Mr.. Carter to
the 7th district standard bearer
When Mecklenburg County joined
the bandwagon by withdrawing its
support Of Mr.. Smith, the Alexan-
drian made his way up the aisle to
the rostrum to be recognized.
I'VE have seen a grand demon
stration of democracy at work" he
told 1000 delegates, and alternates
who applauded him in anticipation
OF the action he was about to take
We have seen free and untram-
meled delegates freely voting their
own wishes"
Asks Unanimous Nomination.
Every one desiring to present can
didates had been allowed to do so
he said, and he expressed gratifica-
ton there was no friction nor ami
mostly between delegations.
The man who cannot drink the
drugs of defeat is not entitled to
quaff the elixir of victory" he said,
and then moved that Mr.. Robert
son be unanimously nominated.
He was seconded by Chairman
William A. Wright of the State Con-
Servation Commission, the only
openly announced candidate for the
Office, by Mr.. Carter, who said he
never has been a candidate" and
by others whose names had been
considered in previous balloting.
In accepting the nomination, Mr..
Robertson said he hesitated to make
the venture earlier because he did
not know if his party was united
but now he felt certain of a united
victory in November.
MIR. Robertson, who lives in Lex
ington, has represented the 7th
congressional district in the House
since 1882. The unexpired term
for which he was nominated runs
through 1948.
Classed As Conservative.
Mr.. Robertson has been classed
generally as conservative member
of Congress. He is one of the
ranking men on the Ways and
Means Committee and has had
much to do with the writing of
tax legislation in recent years. He
is chairman of the House Wildlife
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