Evening star., 1948-10-16
Democrats Vote
FaiirfaxPurgeof
1rumanFoes
z Committeemen Quit
After Move Against
States Fighters
By Alex R. Preston

Committee last night
called on any Of its members who
refuses to support President Tru-
mans reelection to resign. Two Of
them did.
THAT man Thurmond is more Of
a Democrat than President Tru-
man." was the immediate protest
OF James Byrnes, Mclean real estate
dealer, ,the first to quit.
After passage of the resolution
a further explanation was given.
Committee members who work for
the election of Gov. Thurmond Of
South Carolina, States Rights can.
didate for President, were to resign,
it was explained.
Then I submit mine," was the
quick rejoinder of Paul L. Sweeney,
a Washington lawyer who lives in
Mclean.
Neither of them left the Circuit
Court room in the Fairfax County
Courthouse until after the meeting
adjourned, however.
To Await Ruling.
Chairman w. Franklin Gooding
OF Vienna, announced he would not
accept the resignation until he OBJ
tanned ruling from the chairman
of the 9th District Democratic Com.
mittee on the validity of the resolu-
tion. The district chairman is
Gardner L. Boothe, Alexandria at.
torney.
John A. K. Donovan, Falls Church
attorney, was the author of the reso-
luton inviting designations from
members who refused to support the
straight party ticket.
Mr.. Donovan was in the forefront
of those who took a walk" from
the Democratic State Convention
last summer when State Chairman
G. Alvin Massenburg railroaded
Gov. Tuck's anti-Truman resolution
through to adoption.
After last nights meeting, Mr..
Donovan commended Mr.. Byrnes
and Mr.. Sweeney for their "hon-
esty" in publicly making known their
position. Mr.. Byrnes said more
will follow" him in taking a walk.
Many Watch Meeting.
James E. Durant, former Falls
Church Town councilman. acted as
secretary. He said only II of the 63
Executive Committe members were
present although the courtroom was
nearly filled with spectators in
terested in the campaigns of both
President Truman and Gov. Thur
mond.
The meeting had been quietly an
nounced In advance as promising
fireworks" Controversial as the
issues were, there were no heated
exchanges on the floor.
1t all began when Mr.. Donovan
offered his first resolution:
BE it resolved that, in view Of
the activities of the Republican
Party, the States Rights Party and
the Progressive Party to secure a
vote in Fairfax County for
the candidate of the respective
parties in the general election to
be held November 2, the Democratic
Committee become immediate
ly activated to the fullest extent in
behalf of the candidates of the
Democratic Party. namely: For
President, Harry S. Truman; for
Vice President, Alben Barkley: for
Senator, Willis Robertson; for House
Of Representatives, Howard w.
Smith.
Seconded by Sweeney.
Mr.. Sweeney seconded this reso.
luton. His resignation came later.
Alfred Trueax, Mclean, offered a
substitute motion which would have
pledged support only to Senator Rob.
ertson and Representative Smith.
George B. Robey, Fairfax attor-
ney who Is former county chairman.
made point of order that the sub.
stitute could not be considered be.
cause it embraced only a part of the
subject covered in the original mo-
tion.
We might just as we'll stand up
and be counted on this issue right
now," declared w. Alvord Sherman.
Vienna builder. I'VE all knew this
question of which candidate 10 sup
port would come up when we ac-
cepted membership on this COM
mittee."
Mr.. Gooding, who is deputy clerk
OF the Circuit Court, sustained the
point Of order and ruled the sub
stitute killed.
Other Resolution offered.
Mr.. Donovan then offered his
resolution which read:
Whereas: The party pledge, taken
upon the sacred honor of each mem
Der of the Democratic Committee
OF Fairfax County. binds each such
member to support all nominees of
the Democratic Party in every elec-
ton as long as such member shall
remain member of the said COM
mittee; now, therefore,
BE it resolved that any member
OF the Democratic Committee of
Fairfax County who refuses to sup
port the entire Democratic slate of
Truman, Barkley, Robertson and
Smith is hereby called upon to re-
sign forthwith"
Mr.. Sherman seconded this reso-
luton. Mr.. Trueax said he agreed
with Mr.. Donovan that q vote for
Thurmond is wasting your vote"
1.-The resolution does not kick any
one off the committee" Mr.. Dono-
van said, 1T gives him the right to
stand by his party pledge"
8 to 4 Vote.
The vote on this resolution was
8 to on a show of hands.
A third resolution by MIR. Donovan
was voted down. 1t called on State
Chairman Massenburg to substan-
tiate or deny his statement to the
press that Virginia Democrats could
vote either for President Truman or
Gov. Thurmond and maintain their
to vote in next years
Democratic primary. If Mr.. Mas
senburg affirmed the statement, the
resolution would have called on him
to resign.
This is a case of the tail wagging
the dog" Mr.. Sweeney protested.
We sent delegates to the State con-
vention. Let's not be ridiculous.
Mr.. Robey's move to table this
motion was adopted.
The committee adopted another