Evening star., 1951-08-05
81 Assembly
AT Stake in Virginia
Primary tuesday
By Alex R. Preston

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Membership in next years Vir-
ginia General Assembly will be
determined in most sections Of the
State by results Of Tuesdays
Democratic primary instead of the
November election.
With Republicans biding their
time until the fall. Democrats now
are engaged in intra-party dis
putes involving only 81 of the 140
seats in the State Senate and the
House Of Delegates. The Repub-
licans hold nine seats. Only a
scattered few of the primary con-
tests offer a challenge to the
dominant organization of Senator
Byrd.
Two, however. are taking place
in Washington'S suburbs where
Senator Andrew w. Clarke of
Alexandria, an administration
stalwart, and Delegate Edwin
Lynch, leader Of anti-organization
forces. are fighting to retain their
seats. Arlington's delegation is
unopposed.
The most significant contest of
all is in the Newport News area
where a strong anti-organization
candidate. Delegate Victor P. Will
son. is running against Demo-
cratic State Chairman G. Alvin
MasSenburg for the Senate no
mination. In a sensational upset
two years ago, Mr.. Wilson, rela-
lively an unknown, unSeated Mr..
Massenburg as Speaker of the
House of Delegates. The battle
now being waged is one of political
vengeance.
Local Decisions Important.
There are primary bouts else
where which show an effort by
anti-organization forces to gain or
maintain seats in the Legislature.
Otherwise. this is considered an
"off-year" for a primary in the
Old Dominion inasmuch as there
are no national, congressional or
Statewide candidates in the field.
Nevertheless, it is a time for i'm
portant decision for the localities.
This is because the 100 counties
select, in addition to their repre-
sentatives in the State Legisla-
ture. their local governing bodies
the Boards of Supervisors-and
key officerS-the court clerks,
treasurers, sheriffs and commits
sioners of revenue. The clerks
serve elght-year terms, Senators
four years, Delegates two years
and all the rest four years.
Most of those in the anti-or-
ganization wing are identified by
their support of Francis Pickens
Miller in his primary campaign
two years ago against Gov. Battle.
Gov. Battles failure to carry Ar
lington. Alexandria, Fairfax and
Falls Church makes any contest
involving liberal candidates in the
nearby areas all the more inter-
eSting.
Clarke Faces Tough Battle.
Senator Clarke, whose district
embraces Alexandria, Falls Church,
Fairfax County and Prince Will
liam County, has the toughest
fight of his eight-year career in
the Senate to win denomination.
He is closely identified with
the Senator Byrd-Representative
Smith organization.
His aggressive opponent is John
A. <. Donovan, Falls Church at
torney, who managed Mr.. Miller's
primary campaign in the area.
Mr.. Donovan is counting on the
wholehearted support of those
who backed Mr.. Miller in 1949
but he also has number of sup
porters who backed Gov. Battle.
Representative Smiths politi-
cal organization has been at work
in the race.
I'm not quarreling with our
statesmen in Washington" Mr..
Donovan said yesterday. How
ever, I should be very much sur
prised if anyone running against
Clarke-if anyone running against
Massenburg-doesn't find he isl
really running against Byrd.
Split on Sales Tax Issue.
"I have supported Representa-
tive Smith every time he ran for
Congress and he knows it. Yet
Judge Smith is fighting me in
Prince William and his sons fight
me in Alexandria. I don't see why
he doesn't keep his big nose out
of this f1ght-and you can quote
big nose"
Senator Clarke says his oppon-
ent sis deliberately attempting toI
mislead the voters on the two ma
jor isSues-public schools and tax
alton" He said Mr.. Donovan has
copied my legislative record and
made it his political platform. "
The two stand on opposite sides
of the fence on the sales tax ques-
ton, among others. Mr. Clarke
favors a 2 per cent tax if GER
tain other taxes are removed or
lessened. Mr.. Donovan is opposed
to the sales tax.
One apparent paradox in Sena-
tor Clarke's position involves the
so-called Byrd tax reduction law
passed at the last session Of the
Legislature. Mr.. Clarke says it is
q bad piece of legislation but ad-
mits he voted for it.
While the Senate contest repre-
sents the effort of an anti to
get in, another former Miller sup
porter, Mr.. Lynch. is battling to
hold his seat in the House.
Lynch Opposed by Keith.
Mr.. Lynch, Annandale farmer
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