Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-10-31
By Alex R. Preston

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
inion gave Republicans a presiden-
tial vote of 154,609 to 140,146 the
COP also gained three House seats
in the End. 7th and eth 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 1S
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-
ton of the two top men, have
stated they intend to vote the
straight Democratic ticket,
But that is about as far as any
have gone. They are making strong
fights, where necessary, to maintain,
the States solid Democratic repre-
sentation in Congress.
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 Rober ,son is completing
the unexpred term of the late Sen.
ator Carter Glass.
Thurmond Cheered Also.
1t is the "hands-off' policy Of
Senator Byrd and Gov. Tuck thai
holsters the hopes of Gov. Dewey's
supporters-andt those of Gov. Thur.
mond, the States Rights presiden.
tial candidate-who are vieing fol
Virginia's II electoral votes.
Republicans are heartened by the
fact that the major Democratic
candidates have said, in effect, 81
am going to vote for Truman.
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 Roosevelts 242,276 in 1914.
Polls Give Dewey Edge.
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.
But some Democrats, including
those who are not going to vote for
the President lust can't bring"
themselves to believe that the Old
Dominion will go Republican for
the second time since the Civil
War. Responsible observers who
have thought Dewey would carry
the State said yesterday there had
been swing back" within Demo-
cratic ranks in the last two weeks.
They admitted, however, this opin-
ion was formulated before Presi-
dent Truman's civil rights speech
in Harlem Thursday night.
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, Republi-
cans and States Rights Democrats
the 28-inch ballot also lists Henry
A. Wallace and Senator Taylor, Pro-
gressives, as well as the Socialist
Labor and Socialist Party candi.
dates. 8
Smith Strong in Rural Areas.
Observers say the only chance Mr.
Krum has OF edging out Repre-.
sentative Smith in the nearby 8tf
district is for the Republican II
carry Alexandria, Arlington anc
Fairfax by large majorities. This
if accomplished, might offset tn,
Democratic incumbent's recognized
drawing power throughout most o.
the rural areas.
A neglible showing is expected O.
the two other House candidates IL
the 9th. They are Frank M. Hurst
Alexandra, Independent, and Mrs
Sarah H. d'Avila, Arlington, Pro-
| gressive.