Evening star., 1948-10-10
DiXieCratS
Expect to
RuleParty
Think Electoral Vote
Will Exceed That
of Democrats
By John v. Horner

For all his optimism and extensive
campaigning in the South, James
Strom Thurmond, the Governor OF
South Carolina, doesn't really expect
to win the presidency.
He has said he might win. And,
in fact. 1t Is mathematically possible
for him to run a poor third IN pop
ular votes and still come out on top.
This Is because of the intricate
workings OF the electoral college.
First OF all, Gov. Thurmond ex-
poets his States Rights Democratic
ticket to run second only to the Re-
publican Dewey-Warren combina-
ton. That means he's counting on
capturing more votes than the regu-
lar Democratic nominees, President
Truman and Senator Barkley.
Considers Possibilities
He'd as soon run third in the elec-
toral college If the remainder OF the
votes were split fairly evenly be-
tween the Truman and Dewey
tickets. For, If the votes are divided
so that no candidate receives q 266
the election Of the next
President Will be decided in the
House OF Representatives. Since the
House would have to choose from
the three leading candidates, Gov.
Thurmond thinks his chances would
be best. He explains:
Under the system Of election by
the House, each State has one vote.
Thus, the Southern and smaller
States would hold the balance OF
power. The Republicans would not
want Truman and the regular Dem
ocrats would not want Dewey. I
would be preferred as q second
choice by BOTH"
But Gov. Thurmond figures his
own electoral vote in the neighbor-
hood of 125. Since he expects Presi-
dent Truman to run behind him, he
indirectly admits Gov. Dewey will
get the necessary majority for elec-
ton, without having the House settle
the issue.
So the question naturally arises:
What Is the real purpose of the
States Rights candidate?"
Has He Another Goal?
Some believe it Is to lay the
groundwork for his candidacy, two
years hence, for the Senate against
the South Carolina incumbent, Olin
D. Johnston. Queried about this
at a recent press conference, Gov
Thurmond conceded nothing. The
closest he came to an admission
was:
II want to say that I am running
for President. But I will add that
if I do decide to run for the Senate,
I'll run"
1t would seem, however, that there
is more behind this campaign than
a distant senatorial candidacy, par
ticularly in view of the gruelling
campaign that is carrying Gov.
Thurmond into many States and
requiring up to seven speeches in
seven cities in a single day.
The Governors closest campaign
adviser frankly says there is.
I'VE are, first, protesting the
abuse and insults and the lack Of
manifest in our own
Democratic Party" said Oliver w.
Emmerich, the McComb (Miss)
newspaperman who writes some of
the candidates speeches and di-
rects all States Rights publicity.
Second, our campaign is going
to restore the political dignity and
of the South.
Third, If no candidate for Pres
ident gets majority of the electoral
votes, we believe Gov. Thurmond
will be preferred to President Tru-
man by the Republicans. and he
will be preferred to Dewey by the
Truman Democrats.
Educating Other Americans
Fourth, the States Rights cam
oaign Is means of educating
Of Americans to the dangers
If the perilous departures from our
Constitution.
Fifth, in the event that Gov.
rhurmond polls more electoral votes
han President Truman-and we
,hink he will-the States Rights
Democrats will be the majority
action of the Democratic Party.
Sixth, through our campaign our
protest will strengthen the position
II our own friends in Congress and
lelp them in their continued fight
against final enactment of the Civil
Rights program.
Seventh, we are helping in re-
the Democratic Party for
rededication to its basic principles
(of States rights and in the
dethroning Of the infiltrated leaders
now in power.
Stick to Central Theme
Eighth, we will contribute to
The maintenance and nreservofio,,