Evening star., 1948-08-23
Mcclellan Backs
Truman, Refuses
To Bolt Party
Democrats Hail Move
As Sign Of Heodwoy
Against South S Revolt

Senator McKellar, Democrat,
of Tennessee said today he Is
supporting President Truman
in the November election.
Senator McKellar's announcement
came in the face of reports from
Tennessee that at least two of the
States II Democratic elector candi-
dates have made known their inten-
ton of voting for the States Rights
ticket headed by Gov. J. Strom
Thurmond of, South Carolina.
Il was born and bred a Demo-
crat,' Senator McKellar said. II
always vote for and support the
ticket and, of course, I will continue
to do So
The Tennessee Senator's state
ment recalled a recent similar dec
laration by Senator Robertson of
Virginia.
Democrats Gain Ammunition.
Administration Democrats imme-
diately put them together to back
their claims that Mr. Truman is
making some headway in the South,
despite the angry protests which
arose there over his civil rights pro-
gram.
For some years Senator McKellar
has been closely linked with the
Memphis Democratic organization
headed by Ed Crump. For this rea-
son Senator McKellar's announce
ment attracted particular attention.
Mr.. Crump has said he would not
vote for Mr.. Truman.
Republicans have had some hope
that the defeat of Crump-backed
candidates in the Democratic pri-
mary might drive enough of a wedge
in the Tennessee branch of the par
ty to give them a chance there.
Accordingly, they plan to spend
time, effort and money in seeing
what they can do.
Support From Border States.
Elsewhere in the South, Mr.. Tru-
man appears unlikely to get much
active support from Senatorial
Democrats. Senator Pepper, Demo-
crat, of Florida has said he will
work for the ticket and the Admin
istration counts on Senator Con-
nally, Democrat, of. Texas for back
ing.
Mr.. Truman has strong support
in so-called Border States. Senator
Barkley of Kentucky is his running
mate. Senators Thomas of Okla
homa and Kilgore of West Virginia
back the President.
But many Southern Senators are
going to sit this one out.
As an example, Senator Sparkman
of Alabama. who headed his partys
speakers bureau in the 1916 cam
paign, said he is pledged to vote for
electors who said in advance of the
democratic primary they would not
cast their ballots for Mr.. Truman.
Senator Sparkman, recently renom-
mated, said he isn't campaigning
for any national ticket Senator
Hill. Democrat, of Alabama also Is
sitting tight.
Many Recall 1928 Split.
Senator Mcclellan, Democrat, of
Arkansas announced some time ago
he would not campaign for the ma
tional ticket because of his opposi-
ton to the Presidents civil rights
stand
On the opposing side the States
Rights ticket did not seem to be at
tracing much senatorial support
either. A lot of lawmakers recalled
what happened to Office holders who
bolted the party in 1928 and later
were defeated.
Senator Johnston. Democrat, OF
South Carolina. who refused to at
tend the party's Jackson Day din
ner here because of the civil rights
issue. told a reporter he hasn't made
up his mind what he will do, If
anything, in the national campaign.
Such Southerners, as Senators
Byrd of Virginia, George and Rus
sell of Georgia and Stennis of Mis-
sissippi all critical of the Presi-
dents views, have been silent about
their course
Tour Would Be Watched.
If Mr.. Truman makes a proposed
political tour into the South, poll
fticians will be watching to see
which Southern members of the
Senate and House turn out to greet
him and which ones stay away.
Several of them apparently would
be just as we'll satisfied If their
States we're left off the itinerary.
Despite Southern opposition to
Mr.. Truman, three Southerners-
Senators Sparkman, Johnston and
Thomas of Oklahoma-believe their
party has a good chance of regain
(See POLITICS, Page A-6)