Evening star., 1948-11-04
Virginia Party
Unity Is Urged
Thanks Democrats
For Interest; Sees
Need for Cooperation
by The Agneietsd Press

bS me Ae9rtoteo rfess
RICHMOND. Nov. 4.-State Dem
ecratic Committee Chairman G. Al
vim Massenburg thanked Virginia
Democrats for their keen interest"
In the campaign just closed and
called for unity in the party.
Their splendid efforts have kept
virginia safely in the Democratic
column" Mr.. Massenburg said yes
terday, "and I call upon all Demo-
Gratis, regardless OF factional diff
ferences, to unite and cooperate in
order to insure the continued sue
cess Of the Democratic Party in the
service Of the people Of Virginia. I"
Mr.. Massenburg. speaker of the
Virginia House of Delegates, re-
called the Democratic State Central
Committee had directed him to open
headquarters in Richmond "and or
ganize the State for the purpose Of
getting the largest possible Demo-
cratic vote to the polls on election
day"
Difference Of Opinion Noted.
"At the outset of this campaign, u
he said, "it was apparent that there
was a wide but honest difference OF
opinion among the rank and file of
the members of the Democratic
Party in Virginia. As the campaign
progressed this became more evi-
dent and has been conclusively
demonstrated by the results as they
relate to the candidates for the
presidency. ."
II feel that the wisdom of our ef-
forts to unite wherever possible and
secure a merited and overwhelming
Endorsement of our congressional
delegation has been dem
onstrated o."
Mr.. Massenburg, the official cam
paign head in Virginia, on October
Is broke his silence on the Truman
Thurmond issue and said the State
Central Committee would not take
sides.
Loyalty Is Praised.
Robert Whitehead, delegate from
Nelson, and Martin A. Hutchinson,
both leaders of the anti-organiza-
ton wing of the Democratic Party,
In q statement greeted the election
as another demonstration Of Vir-
ginia's loyalty and devotion to the
Democratic Party as great insti-
tuition"
This happened Notwithstanding
the shameful desertion of the party
by those who should have led the
fight in its behalf" said the White
head-Hutchison statement. I'VE
remind the Democrats of Virginia of
the signal service rendered by our
fellow members of our committee in
behalf of the entire Democratic
ticket" (The reference was to a
Straight Ticket Committee they
helped organize after the State
Central Committee Of the party
said it was not taking Sides.
All three of the announced can
didates for the Democratic nomina-
lion for Governor In 1949 Endorsed
the straight ticket, but Francis
Pickens Miller, who has been allied
with Mr.. Hutchinson politically, was
4 member of the committee. Mayor
Horace H. Edwards, until July the
State chairman of the committee,
made a plea for support of the ma
tional convention nominees early
last summer when the party was
facing a rift and supported the Tru-
man-Barkley ticket actively. State
Senator John S. Battle of Char
Iottesville also ,indorsed the ticket,
put did not take an active part in
It's behalf.
Flanagan lis Doomed.
One of the first developments in
the post-election maneuvering was
the booming of John W.. Flanagan
of Bristol as Secretary of Agricul-
ture. Mr.. Flanagan, chairman of
the House Agriculture Committee,
did not seek reelection, but threw
his support to Thomas B. Fugate,
successful Democrats candidate.
In his election sweep Mr.. Truman
carried every county and city ex-
eept Halifax and the following
which voted for Mr.. Dewey:
Mathews, Northumberland, Rich
mond County, Westmoreland, Car
roll, Grayson, Wythe, Botetourt,
Floyd, Montgomery, Bedford, Roa-
noke, Augusta, Bath, Highland,
Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah,
Arlington, Fairfax, Greene, King
George, Madison and Stafford
Counties, and the cities of Will
liamsburg, Roanoke, Harrisonburg,
Staunton and Winchester.
Many other votes were close, the
city of Waynesboro going for Mr..
Truman by 6 ballots.
The vote in the congressional
elections was much more heavily
Democratic than had been ex-
pected by all factions of the party
or by the Republicans.