The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-07-24
Peace, Prosperity, Progress
KEYNOTE Democratic Platform
CIVIL RIGHTS
PROGRAM SEEMS
TO BE ASSURED
~ EDWIN B. HAAkiNSoN

pfOBfeSS 10 Lnc HdtlUH VOteTS TO-
day in a platform that avoided
past party feuds over "civil
rights"
A quick decision by Speaker Sam
Rayburn, after a mixed shout of
yea and no votes, put the National
Conventions official approval on
the new campaign document early
this morning.
Delegates from Georgia and Mis-
sissippi asked to be recorded as
voting mo" and one from Ten
nessee objected to the platforms
lack of a congressional crime in
vestigating committee plank.
But skillful maneuvers by Rep.
John W. Mccormack of Massa-
chusetts, platform chairman, and
National Committee Chairman
Frank Mckinney produced a fair
sample Of party harmony.
The shouted adoption, after Nc
Cormack had read the nearly TO-
900 words to tired delegates. was
sheet music to party leaders who
feared a repetition of 1948.
In that year a bitter floor battle
for q stronger racial relations
plank split the party wide open,
and In the November election four
Southern states were absent from
the Democratic columns
Aiding in the unity effort this
time were Sen. John Sparkman #
Alabama, for Southerners, and
Philip B. Perlman. who recently
resigned as solicitor general.
Curiously, both Dixie delegates
who insist that states and commun-
tiles can best handle racial prob
lens and Northerners who want
strong federal action are claiming
victory.
The answer is that the same
words and phrases. if handled skill.
fully, mean different things to di.
fessnt people.
Northerners such as Sens. Leh.
man OF New York, Humphrey of
Minnesota and Benton of Connect.
cut claimed the new plank was
much stronger than l948's.
Southerners such as Sens. Spark
man, Holland OF Florida and Willis
Smith Of North Carolina said parts
OF the plank went a bit too far
but they preferred party harmony
to a fight.
Actually the compromise was
settled IN two separate sections of
the platform.
N0rtherners had insisted on
plank demanding an end to Senate
filibusters that often have killed
off civil rights and other bills.
Instead they got a broadly
worded plank calling for improve.
ment Of congressional procedures
80 that majority rule prevails and
decisions can be made after rea.
sonable debate without being
blocked by a minority in either
house."
We will continue cur efforts TO
eradicate discrimination based ON
race. religion or national origin"
the civil rights section stated afser
calling for equal opportunities Or
voting. education. economic ad.
vancement and living conditions.
We know this task requires &C
tor not just In one section Of the
nay5n but In all sections" il con.
tinued In style pleasing to South.
erners. II requires the co.opera.
i've effort Of individual citizens :
and action by state and local gov.
ernmcnts."
Northerners liked the next
phrases:
III also requires federal action.
I'VE favor federal legislation ef.
fectively to secure these rights 10
everyone: Cd The right TO equal
opportunity for employment; t21
the right to security Of persons,
ca the right 10 full and equal
participation in the nation's politi.
cal life, free from arbitrary re.
straiutx.
We also favor legislation 10 per.
feet existing federal civil rights
statutes and 10 strengthen the adj.
ministraise machinery for the
protection of civil rights. s.
Walter White. executive Seere-
tary Of the National Association
for the Advancement Of Colored
People. hailed the plank as "a
signal victory for the forces AZ
liberalism in the party" although
be conceded j, does no, panposnt
the issues"
Other plaaks in the long plat.
form caused 40 serious truahle
They looked back with pride over
- years Of Democratic admins.
tration under the New" and
sFair' Deals.
''our country has moved steadily
along the road which has led the
United States al America to ~orld
ieadershir In the cause al free
DOM" oss said We viii not re.
treat cne incl along that road 81
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