Evening star., 1948-10-20
ApathyAff|icts
Both Parties in
Fredericksburg
Neither Side
Excited Enough for
Committee Talks
fThis is one OF a series on the
political outlook In Northern Viz
cinid.)
By Alex R. Preston
G. &aff

Star stoff Correspondent
FREDERICKSBURG, Va, Oct. 20
Neither the Democrats nor the
Republicans are sufficiently excited
about the election to call meetings
Of their committees.
In addition to pronounced apathy
within the core of each major party
the local picture is highlighted by:
Public Endorsement of Gov. Thur
mond of South Carolina. States
Rights candidate for President, by
one of the most influential political
figures here.
A political rally-the only one
held, or planned-for Representa-
tive Scott, chairman of the Republi-
can National Committee, was at
tended by leading Democrats as well
as Republicans. Mr.. Scott is ma
tive of Fredericksburg.
The only conclusion reached after
making the rounds among persons
who usually know about such
things is that Representative Bland
Democrat, has little to worry about
Fredericksburg's vote. Mr.. Bland
is opposed by Stanley G. Adams, Re-
publican, and J. Luther Kibler, In
dependent, in the First Congress
sional District which extends from
here all the way to Newport News
and across Chesapeake Bay to the
Eastern Shore.
COP Win Seen Likely.
From what leaders have to say,
however, it is indicated that Fred
ericksburg probably will vote Re-
publican this year for the second
time in history. The city followed
most Of the rest of the State in 1928
when Virginia voted for Herbert
Hoover over AL Smith.
The last time Gov Dewey ran for
President in 1914, however, Freder-
icksburg gave him only 698 votes
against 1892 for President Roose-
velt Mr. Bland, incidentally, got
1,166 to 371 for Walter johnson, his
Republican opponent, that same
year.
Milton B. Graves, insurance deal
er, who is chairman of the Demo
cratic Committee, said members "do
not think they need to be called into
O meeting"
The Democratic party is split
right to the committee ITSELF" he
said. "As a matter of fact, the split
goes further. It goes right into
some families"
Elliott E. Brooks, real estate dealer
who Is Republican Committee chair
man, said no G. o. p. rallies have
been held since the one for Repre-
sentative Scott and that none is
planned" by his committee.
We've got things rolling pretty
much our way now," he explained.
There's no use of stirring up things
and getting the Democrats mad at
us with a lot of talk"
Attitude Is Common.
This attitude has been noted
among many Northern Virginia Re-
publican leaders.
Mr.. Brooks conceded that Mr.
Bland will be elected by the total
1st District vote but promised some
setback for him in the Fredericks-
burg area. He said Senator Rob-
ertson, Democrat. will have more
difficult time getting the district
vote from Robert H. Woods, Pearls.
burg, State G. o. p chairman who
also is running for the Senate.
Former State Senator c. O'Conor
Goolrick, a leader Of the Democratic
organization, Is the avowed sup
porter of Gov. Thurmond. Mr.. Cool
rick, incidentally, is to speak to-
night at the Municipal Building in
Culpeper while Representative Scott
addresses a University of Virginia
Young Republican Club rally at the
same time in Charlottesville.
Mr.. .Goolrick said he did not in
dorse Gov. Thurmond with the idea
of actively entering the campaign.
"a lot of my friends feel that
rather than vote for President Tru-
man they will vote for Gov. Dewey,
he said.
DlSagrees Win Poll.
He disagreed with recent ma
tional political poll indicated
Gov. Thurmond would receive only
8 per cent of Virginia's vote. Mr.
Goolrick estimated Gov. Thurmonc
will get about Is per cent of ths
State and local vote.
Mr. Goolrick said he felt all pub.
lie officials "of Importance" should
make their position known in thu
presidential race. He would no
mention which public officials h,
had in mind but Gov. Tuck ane
Senator Byrd are among the last II
refrain from committing themselves
Mr.. Goolrick agreed that som
significance could be attached t
Gov. Tuck's introduction of Go,
Thurmohd at a recent Richmon'
rally and also to the presence o
Mrs. Byrd, wife of the Senator, a
q Thurmond banquet in Richmond
Effort to Reorganize Party.
The Thurmond movement" h
said, "is not an attempt to Great
q new party. 1t is an effort to re
organize the Democratic Party. TIL
Democrats of the South have &c
to show they they can not be treate
with the utmost contempt. The
deserve to have their place III tn
sum-"
The Negro vote is not considered
decisive factor in the 1st District b
either major party. Glouceste
County in the district is one of tw
whic recently figured in Negro's at
tempt to obtain equal school facili
ties through court action. The othe
King George County-which
closer-is in the 9th District.
Services to Cut Trucks