Evening star., 1948-07-11
'Dissident Democrats
To Protest Seating Of
Virginia Delegates
By the Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va, July 10. - A
group of Virginia Democrats op-
posed to the present leadership of
the party in Virginia will appear
before the credentials committee Of
the Democratic National Convention
Monday afternoon to protest seating
of the Virginia delegation unless
the delegates individually subscribe
to a party loyalty pledge. @ e.,
3 Martin A. Hutchinson, Richmond
attorney and leader of the anti
organization wing of the party, will
head the group, which will include
Francis Pickens Miller of Charlottes-
vile, and Henry H. Fowler of Alex
andria. Mr.. Hutchinson also invited
Mayor Horace H. Edwards of Rich
mond to join them but Mr.. Edwards
was out of the city today and his
views could not be obtained.
Chairman Mary Norton of the
credentials committee agreed to hear
the protest after Mr.. Hutchinson
had wired her that vital and I'M
portant questions" relative to their
participation should be determined
by the Democratic Party at this
time"
May RecOnvene.
THE Virginia convention. at which
delegates were elected, adopted a
formal platform enunciating the
doctrine that the national Demo-
cratic Party is merely federation
of State parties and that each such
State party has the right and au-
thority to determine its own course
of action" Mr.. Hutchinson told
Mrs. Norton in his telegram.
The said convention also by for
NAL resolution empowered the Dem
ocratic State Central Committee OF
Virginia to reconvene the State
Convention at a later date for the
unexp1essed but apparent purpose
of repudiating the actions of the
national convention. If such actions
be not in accord with the views and
wishes of our so-called party lead
ers here in Virginia. The afore-
said suggested action may be taken
under a recently enacted law by
the Virginia Legislature. which act
is known as the Tuck Anti-Truman
Law
I'VE most respectfully protest the
right of Virginia's delegates, under
these conditions, to participate in
the national convention unless they
are individually willing to sign and
subscribe to loyalty pledge SIM
liar to that found in the Virginia
Democratic Party plan"
Harrison to Back Nominee.
The State party plan provides
that mo person shall be nominated
for or elected to any Office or party
honor by any Democratic conven-
ton unless df requested by any
member of the Democratic Party
he shall subscribe to similar
pledge to that which local COM
mites may exact of their delegates
to conventions.
Mr.. Edwards. long identified with
the dominant Democratic faction in
Virginia, retired as State chairman
at the convention here July 2 and
in a speech told the delegates they
should abide by the decisions OF the
national convention or stay away
from Philadelphia and secede from
the party. simultaneously, in a
press release, he announced his "ir-
revocable" candidacy for the Demo-
cratic nomination for governor in
1949.
Representative Harrison Of the
7th Congressional district said in
Waynesboro today he will support
the Democratic Party's nominee for
President A similar statement was
made here this week by Representa-
tive Gary of the 3rd tRichmond
District. Both are stalwarts of the
dominant Democratic faction.
Tuck Pessimistic.
Meanwhile Gov. Tuck and the
Virginia delegates Travelled to Phil
adelphia today with the Governor
pessimistic over possibilities of stop
ping the Truman nomination His
train late, the Governor remarked:
If it doesn't hurry up Truman
will be nominated before we get
there"
The delegation was instructed to
work for the nomination Of Gen.
and to oppose anyone
advocating 3 Federal civil rights
program.
n