Evening star., 1948-07-03
Virginia Democrats
Back Eisenhower, but
Boo Tuck S Tactics
By Alex R. Preston
Sior StuH Correspondsst

Sior Stuff Correspondent
RICHMOND, Va, July S.
Delegates to the Virginia Demo-
cratic convention were home
ward-bound today, united with
Georgia in a movement to bring
about the nomination of Gen.
Eisenhower for President.
But fresh in the minds of most
who attended the State party meet
ing here yesterday was resentment
against the dominant machine for
forcing through other portions OF a
program designed to defeat President
Truman.
So roughshod was the method by
which anti Truman resolutions were
railroaded through the convention
that the name of Gov. Tuck--which
usually brings forth wild cheers
actually produced a large chorus of
"boos" while the Governor was on
the platform.
Cheer Mention of Name.
Gen. Eisenhower is this States
favorite-there Is little doubt OF
that. At the first mention of his
name by Senator Byrd, head Of the
party organization. convention dele
gates let out q wild chorus of yells,
whistles and handclapping. This
was when Senator Byrd declared:
Speaking as a delegate. I hope
that Virginia Democrats will cast
their votes for Eisenhower and lead
the Democratic Party to victory"
The delegates staged another
demonstration when Gov. Tuck,
serving as chairman of the Resolu-'
tions Committee, reported the meas
ure which declared it is the sense
of Virginia Democrats that Gen.
Eisenhower should be the next Pres
ident and that the delegates to the
Democratic National convention be
instructed ito do their utmost to
secure the nomination of the gen.
eral."
None could doubt the sincerity
with which the delegates responded,
expressing their approval of the
wartime military leader. 1t was inn
mediately .afterward, however, that
events began to move In an entirely
different direction.
Platform With Resolutions.
Along with the Eisenhower resolu-
ton, Gov. Tuck also reported on a
Statement of policy" which sets
forth platform, and two resolutions
covering instructions to and selec-
tion OF delegates to the national con-
vention.
The report Endorsed the principles
of the States anticlosed shop bill
and its public utility labor relations
law; was against the civil rights
program and any candidate who
recommended such Federal legisla-
ton, and, in what appeared to be
reminder that the "anti-Truman"
act was on the States law books,
put in a plank permitting the State
Central Committee, by a vote of
two-thirds of the members, to re-
convene the State convention.
To the latter there appeared
widespread objection.
G. Alvin Massenburg, speaker of
the House of Delegates, who yester-
day was selected new State party
chairman, then put the question of
approving Or rejecting all of the
resolutions as a group. Several
Delegates quickly rose from their
seats and sought recognition. but
Mr.. Massenburg ignored them and
put the question. The voice vote
sounded equally divided between
those voting for and those against
the resolutions, but Mr.. Massenburg
speedily announced that the resolu-
tions had been adopted.
BoOs Follow Decision.
Wild shouts of mo! MOI" and
boos followed. State Senator Ed
ward L. Breeden, jr.. of Norfolk and
E. T. Dejarnett, member of the
House of Delegates from Hanover,
were among those who protested the
chair had not given opportunity to
discuss the motion.
Amid shouts of dissatisfaction
that spread throughout the conven-
tion hall in the Mosque auditor
ium, Senator Breeden started out
of the chamber with the invitation
Let's take a walk" He was joined
by others of his delegation and the
movement caught on to the extent>
that the auditorium was about two
thirds empty 10 minutes later.
Meanwhile, State Senator Robert
O. Norris of Lancaster read an
other measure from the Resolutions
Committee which commended the
"enviable administrative record of
Gov. Tuck as well as the stand on
civil rights taken by the Governor,
Senators Byrd and Robertson and
Virginia members of the House.
1t was here that the mention of
Gov. Tuck's name, before the furore
of the previous controversy had died
down, brought forth jeers. There
were cheers by many but the volume
of boos surprised observers.