Evening star., 1948-09-13
Rights
Riff in Virginia
in Open
Buckers Announce
Own Convention
To Hear Thurmond
BY The Assoeiofsd Press

n1CdMOND, va, sept. lS.-Iho
rift in the ranks of the Young DEM
ocratic Clubs of Virginia over the
Democrat-StateS' Rights Democrat
issue came into the open yesterday.
Frank p Burton, jr., chairman of
the States Rights organization in
Virginia, announced that the party's
presidential candidate, Gov. Strom
Thurmond of South Carolina, would
address "a State convention" of
Young Democrats here on October
8,
On Saturday. the executive COM
mittee of the Young Democratic
Clubs turned thumbs down on an
accepted invitation to Gov.
Thurmond to speak before the regu-
iarly scheduled convention on that
date. The committee voted to post
pone the convention from October
8 to another date to be decided
later.
Two Conventions Seen.
Virginia Young Democrats thus
apparently were faced with the pos
sibility of two conventions-one for
the States Rights supporters and
another for hackers of the regular
Democratic ticket.
Mr.. Burton said yesterday that
arrangements for "a State conven-
ton" on October 8 were being made,
but he refused to say who was
making them. He said he spoke
for "a majority" of Virginia Young
Democrats.
Mr.. Burton charged that the Ex-
ecutive Committee spoke "as a
handpfcked radical minority" Of
"rabblerousers and carpetbaggers."
He said his charges would be
proven at our State convention"
Mr.. Burton also revealed plans
for a series of district meetings to
be held in various Virginia cities
to set up States Rights Democratic
organization In every city and
county in the Commonwealth.
Meetings Scheduled.
The first such meeting will be held
for the 9Th district In Salem, next
Monday, he said. Other meetings
announced are 7th district, Harri-
sonburg, September 81; lower half
of the 9Th district, Charlottesville,
September %, and upper half Of the
9Th district, Arlington, September rs.
Also on hand at the States Rights
Party headquarters was Ken Des-
hotel of Washington, La, president
of the student body at Louisiana
State University and national chair
man of the colleges and universities
division of the party.
He said he intends to tour all
Virginia colleges and universities,
where States Rights clubs have
been formed, with the purpose OF
organizing state committee Tor
these clubs.
He said States Rights clubs have
been formed at the University OF
Virginia, Washington and Lee,
Roanoke College, William and Mary,
Virginia, Military Institute, Mary
Washington College, the University
of Richmond, Richmond Profess
sional Institute, Emory and Henry.
fLaU41u SOlCSCS 11dadoAPA1-NA"SS
Farmville State Teachers College
and Hampden-Sydney.
Burton Ignores Meeting.
Although a member Of the Execu-
tive Committee himself, Mr.. Burton
did not attend the Saturday meeting.
II was tied up with more important
engagements and I was forced to
ignore completely the rabblerousers,'
he said.
Mr.. Burton accused his opponents
of lurking in the shadows because
they know that this movement is
sweeping the State like prairie Wild
fire."
I'VE have nothing to hide in
States Rights Democratic head
quarters" he said. IF we had we
would not set up under the nose Of
the secretary Of the Electoral Board
of Virginia. He has room across
the hall."
He added:
I'VE intend to keep this cam
paign on a high constitutional and
Christian level. We will not be side
tracked by petty racial issues. We
are not demagogues, but statesmen"