Evening star., 1952-11-09
Election Upsets
GubernatoriaI
Plan in Virginia
6. O. P. Victory Roises
Threut of Serious
Challenge to Byrd
BY james Geory
AssoeIofed Press Staff Writer


AssoeIofed Press Staff Writer
RICHMOND. Va. Nov. 8.-One
thing that President-elect Eisen-
hower's humping victory In Vir.
ginia has done is to completely
becloud the race for Governor in
1853.
For some time it has been gen.
orally felt that the race would be
between two or three members Of
the Byrd-led organization Demo-
Gratis and one candidate Of the
anti-organization Democrats.
The possibility Of any serious
threat from the Republicans
wasn't considered. But now this
does not seem beyond the realm
of possibility.
Much Of the discussion of the
present confused situation revolves
on the questions: Is the split in
the Democratic organization real
or merely apparent? Will the
members all get back together
and present q united front to the
'antis" and never have anything
but token opposition from the Re-
publicans. as in the past?
Two Of the top leaders Of the
organization, Senator Byrd, him.
self. and former Gov. William M.
Tuck. repudiated the Stevenson
Sparkman presidential ticket, al
though they did not go so far as
to say they would vote for Gen.
Eisenhower. A number of other
organization men took a similar
course and some became Demo-
Gratis for Eisenhower.
Most Stuck to Battle.
The majority of the leading Of
flceholders among the organization
membership. however. stuck with
Gov. Battle and remained loyal to
the national Democratic ticket.
Also loyal to the national ticket,
of course, was the anti-organiza-
ton faction led by Delegate
Robert Whitehead, Francis Pickens
Miller, who was defeated by Sena-
tor Byrd for the Senate in the
primary last summer. and Martin
A. Hutchinson. who was defeated
by Senator Byrd in 1916.
One Capital Hill observer COM
mented that he didn't think there
was any real split-no wounds
that could not and would not be
healed.
But most Of those who will
comment anonymously on the
situation-and virtually none will
speak for publication at this
time-say they simply do not
know.
Many an eyebrow was raised at
an editorial last Wednesday in
the Winchester Star. which is
edited by Harry F. Byrd, jr., son
of the United States Senator.
The editorial was sharply criti-
cal Of politicians who had played
politics as usual" in indorsing
the StevenSon-Sparkman ticket.
Il named only one Virginian,
Senator Robertson. but the word
ing could be interpreted as a
blanket indictment of all who had
stuck with the National Demo-
cratic Party.
Three Frequently Mentioned
Organization men who have
been most frequently mentioned
for the race for Governor are
Attorney General j. Lindsay Al
mond. jr., Representative Thomas
B. Stanley and State Senator
Charles r. Fenwick of Arlington.
All indorSed the Stevenson Spark
man ticket.
Among anti-organization pos
sibilities for the race, Delegate
Robert Whitehead has been con-
sidered the most likely candidate
State Senator Frank S. Richeson
of Richmond, one of the most
conservative members of the con-
servative organization, said after
the election that Gen. Eisenhower's
vote constituted the second re-
pudiation of the liberal wing of
the party in Virginia-the first
one being Senator Byrd's one
sided victory over Mr.. Miller last
July.
If this is true, Mr.. Whitehead's
position-or that of any other
"anti'-would seem to be weak
ened.
Committee to Meet.
The present turbid situation
should soon begin to clear some
what. Acting State Democratic
Chairman T. Nelson Parker has
said he will call the Democratic
State Central. Committee together
this month or in December.
And the special session of the
General Assembly in December to
redistrict the State legislative
seats should throw light on the
temper of the organization mem
bership.
Mann Asks if Editorial