Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-10-31
Virginia Republicans
Hold. Highest. Hopes
Since Upset Of 1928.
By Alex R. Preston

Not since 1928 have Republican
hopes been so high about winning
elections in Virginia.
In the year when the Old DOM
Union gave Republicans presiden-
tial vote of 154,609 to 140,146 the
COP also gained three House seats
in the. End, 7th and 9th Districts.
Today, with a serious split in the
Democratic Party in the South
working to Gov. Dewey's advantage,
Republicans again are making their
strongest showing in the End, 7th
and 9th Districts.
In the nearby area, Representa-
tive Smith, Democrat, faces. his
most formidable challenger in 10
years. His principal opponent in
the 9Th district is Tyrrell Krum,
Fairfax Republican.
Byrd and Tuck Cool.
Virginia's presidential vote Tues
day is being watched with more
than usual interest because the
State is part of the mot so solid
South" The top leaders of her Dem
ocratic OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Byrd
and Gov. Tuck-have followed a
laissez-faire attitude in President
Humans campaign. =
Virtually all of the leaders OF the
dominant faction, with the excep-
tion of the two top men, have
stated they intend to vote the
straight Democratic ticket. i
Senator Robertson, Democrat of
Lexington, probably will emerge the
strongest winner when the final
figures are in. This is because he, ]
outside of the presidential aspirants,
is the only candidate who will poll
a Statewide vote and Republicans
are doing nothing. in some areas,
and concede defeat in some others,
for his Republican opponent, Robert
M. Woods, Pearisburg.
Senator Robertson Is completing
the unexpired term Of the late Sen
ator Carter Glass. =.
Thurmond Cheered Also.
It is the "hands-off" policy of
Senator Byrd and Gov. Tuck that
holsters the hopes of Gov. Dewey's
supporters-and those of Gov. Thur
mond, the States Rights presiden-
tial candidate-who are vieing for
Virginia's II electoral votes.
Republicans are heartened. by the
fact that the major Democratic
candidates have said, in effect, I'll
am going to vote for Truman. r
don't care how my friends vote"
Also encouraging to both Repub-.
licans and States Fighters is the
warm welcome given to Gov. Thur
mond by Gov. Tuck earlier this
month. They attach significance
to the fact that at a banquet for
the South Carolina Governor in
Richmond. Mrs. Harry F. Byrd, wife
of the Senator, applauded Gov.
Thurmond's. remarks enthusiastical-
ly.
This, the Republicans argue, only
widens the rift in the opposite camp
and assures plurality vote for Gov.
Dewey. The New Yorker, inciden-
tally. poned 1922 votes against
President Roosevelt's 242,276 in 1914.
National polls give Gov. Thur |
mond between six and nine per cent |
of Virginia's vote but some believe
this may be a little low. Two of
these polls gave Dewey the States
vote by two and one per cent plu-
rality margins.
The storm and the fury that |
greeted the "anti-Truman bill"
passed by the General Assembly
early this year, gradually subsidized
as the campaign drew to a close.
Beside the Democrats, Republic
cans and States Rights Democrats;
the 28-inch ballot also lists Henry
A. Wallace and Senator Taylor, Pro-
gressives, as we'll as the Socialist |
Labor and Socialist Party candi-
dates.
Smith Strong in Rural Areas.
Observers say the only chance Mr..
Krum has of edging out Repre-
sentative Smith in the nearby 9Th
district is for the Republican to-
carry Alexandria, Arlington and
Fairfax by large majorities. This,
If accomplished, might offset the
Democratic incumbents recognized
drawing power throughout most of
the rural areas.
A neglible showing is expected of