Evening star., 1952-04-02
Whitehead Lists
3 'b|unders' in
State Legislation
Suffrage Actions
Of Byrd Forces Hit
By Virginia Delegate

-
In his strongest assault on the
Democratic organization of Sena-
tor Byrd since adjournment of
the Virginia General Assembly,
Delegate Robert Whitehead of
Nelson County last night listed
eight legislative plumbers" in the
field Of suffrage.
The anti-organization Demo-
crat. who may seek the nomina-
ton for Governor next year, spoke
at an Arlington Civic Federation
meeting on accomplishments and
failures of the recent Assembly
and Delegate j. Maynard Ma
gruder Of Arlington reviewed local
legislation sponsored at the ses-
sion.
These are the actions he listed
las "blunders"::
A runoff primary bill which
moves the 1852 primary date from
August 5 to July Is.
Ihls was done," he said, $50
that the Senate race would be
over before the Democratic Ma
tional Convention on July 81 and
enable Senator Byrd, if he is the
nominee and is so minded, to bolt
the convention without direct &C
countability to the Democratic
voters on August S. That was
special legislation of the worst
kind" ....
Presidential Ballot Separation.
A new law separating candi-
dates for President and Vice Pres
ident on one ballot and candi-
dates for other officers on a Sec
ond ballot. This" he charged,
was but an extension Of the 1948
Tuck-Byrd bolt-the-party pro-
gram and designed to prevent en-
barrasSment to the boilers when
they mark and circulate sample
ballots"
An amendment to the 1948 law
reducing from 80 to 10 days the
time in which nominees for Presi-
dent and Vice President of the
national conventions can be placed
on the Virginia ballot by petition
if the Virginia conventions bolt
the party. The bill would have
eliminated the 30 days, making it
possible for the nominees to be
excluded from the ballot, he said.
Gov. Battle said he would veto
the bill, but then recommended
the Today amendment.
A bill was passed to outlaw use
Of rubber stamps to write-in the
names of candidates which, he
said, restricts the rights Of voters.
A resolution setting in motion
machinery for repeal of the poll
tax was killed.
Sees District Out of Balance.
The redistricting bill which
places the new 10th congressional
district next to Washington is out
Of balance because there is more
than 100000 difference in popu-
lation between the smallest and
largest districts.
The Assembly Haunted the
plain mandate" of the State
Constitution in refusing to re-
apportion representation in the
Legislature this year, Mr.. White
head said. He said, This is an
other example of the rotten old
borough system at its worst"
The Assembly raised the amount
a candidate may spend in a pri-
mary contest from IS cents to
so cents for each vote cast for
his party's candidate in the pre-
ceeding gubernatorial election. In
addition certain expenses were
exempted and the. expense allowed
for the primary now also may be
allowed for q runof contest five
weeks later.
Advantages Cited.
"ThuS, the allowable slush
fund is increased more than 300
per cent" he said. "and the can
didate with plenty Of money back
of him is given a mighty ad-
vantage over a man of moderate
means who Is unwilling to be-
come q prisoner Of big contribu-
tors"
Mr.. Magruder reviewed num-
ber Of bills enacted which apply
only to Arlington as well as other
Statewide measures which had
been indorsed by the civic fed
Grafton.
Harley Williams, chairman of
the Legislation and Legal Action
Committee, introduced the speak
erS.