Evening star., 1948-07-17
BY the Associated Press


Defiant Southern Democrats
met today for the avowed pur-
pose of taking the Solid South
out of the regular party COL
umns for the first time in 10
years.
They planned to challenge in Is
States the Truman-Barkley ticket
nominated earlier this week at Phil
adelphia. The issue was the civil
rights plank adopted at Philadelphia
over the bitter protest of Deep South
delegates, plus defeat of a States
rights proposal.
The frank purpose of this meeting
is the defeat of President Truman.
An anti-Truman slate of electors
will seek place on the ballot in
the Presidents home State Of Mis-
souri,.
Other State Campaigns.
Other States in which the chal-
lenge will be made include the
Deep South which has not turned
its back on any Democratic presi-
Dental candidate since 1876. These
are Alabama, Mississippi, South
Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia and
Louisiana.
Still others, normally Democratic
with room to spare, in which CAM
paigns are planned are Senator
Barkley's home State of Kentucky,
Texas, Tennessee, Florida, North
Carolina, Virginia, Oklahoma ana
Maryland.
In the latter state, however, the
Attorney General said last night
there was no chance for qualifica-
ton Of electors at this late date.
The meeting was called by Gov.
Fielding L. Wright of Mississippi,
who led his delegation out of the
Democratic convention wednesday
night. Gov. Wright and his dele
gates arrived late last night, COM
ing here direct from the National
Convention.
Dixon Temporary Chairman.
Former Gov. Frank j. Dixon Of
Alabama was selected as temporary
meeting chairman.
Mr.. Dixon, Gov. Wright, Gessner
T. McCorvey of Mobile, Ala, and
w. w. Wright of Mississippi (no re-
lation to the Governor), formed one
of the numerous huddles in the
early morning hours. Mr.. McCoryey
is chairman Of the Alabama Demo-
cratic Committee.
All are leaders of the States Rights
Campaign Committee, formed at
jackson, Miss, last May 10.
In an opening grafton. Senator
Eastland, Democrat, Of Mississippi
said last night the nominee Of the
meeting would carry more States
than Mr.. Truman.
Mr.. Dixon, outlining possible
strategy of the meeting, said these
two courses are open:
/. To nominate Southern candi-
dates for President and Vice Presi-
dent.
2. To leave Southern presidential
electors unpledged, as Alabama has
done with its 11-already elected and
all pledged specifically not to vote
for Mr.. Truman.
Delegates Arrive in Rain.
More than 500 delegates, reporters,
radiomen and others who usually
swarm in for National conventions
were registered before midnight.
Most arrived in pouring rain.
which failed to dampen the ardor
of such delegations as IS black
hated University Of Mississippi
students. They bore Confederate
flags, and wore red bands in their
hats.
An early arrival was Alfalfa Bill"
Murray, the colorful former Gov.
ernor of Oklahoma. The 79-year-
old Mr.. Murray said the only thing
to do in Oklahoma was to write In
the name of some candidate other
than Mr.. Truman.
."Itll work in Oklahoma" he said.
Has before"
Asked what he thought OF pro-
posals to end segregation Of Negroes.
Mr.. Murray said:
I'm the man who introduced
Jim Crow in Oklahoma II
they pass those civil rights laws,
therell be hell to pay in the North"
Fail on Program.
Faced with the necessity Of ar
ranging the session on two days
notice, resolutions and program
committees toiled through the night.
Three Governors expected here
were not among early arrivals. Gov.
Ben Laney of Arkansas, one Of
those mentioned as Mr.. Truman's
likely opponent, was coming by
train some time today. Gov. Strom
Thurmond of South Carolina
planned to fly In during the day,
and Alabama's towering Gov. James
e. (Kissing JIM Folsom, was driv-
ing up from Montgomery.
Mr.. Dixon, in a radio address last
night, referred to the meeting as q
grass roots" movement. He said
he had been amazed at the intens-
ity of this action"
The former Governor termed the
civil rights program which would
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