Evening star., 1952-07-25
EIated Virginians Set
To Vote for Russell
After Winning Seats
Continued From First Page.)


Continued From First Page.)
unanimous vote Of confidence and
approved a letter he had written
to permanent Chairman Sam
Rayburn, Speaker Of the House.
asking for Qualification Of Vir-
ginia'S status. The other two
States followed similar procedure.
Gov. Battle said in one Of many
radio and television interviews,
before the issue was resolved: I'VE
are not going to bolt-we are not
boilers. If We are denied a vote
in this convention, our delegates
are free to stay or leave, as they
please"
Former Gov. william M. Tuck,
new State party chairman, ex-
pressed similar sentiments.
I'VE can just sit there and en-
Joy the show" he said. They're
good seats. They don't cost us
anything"
Climax During Roll Call.
The dispute came to a head
during the roll call Of States for
the purpose Of placing the names
Of presidential candidates in NOM
ination. ,
When Louisiana-the first of
the three hold-outs-was reached,
Gov. Kennon yielded to Virginia.
Pandemonium broke loose and
delegates who had subscribed to
the loyalty pledge violently op-
posed an opportunity for the three
rebel States to be heard.
For f1ve minutes there were
shouts, boos, and cries of no,
no." throw them out" and point
OF order"
When Gov. Battle finally could
make himself heard over the
public address system, he stuck
closely to the text of his letter
and asked for a ruling on the
status Of Virginia and the other
two States.
Chairman Rayburn ruled they
were not seated but Gov. Battle
was given the opportunity to take
the rostrum to explain Virginia's
position.
Battle Explains Case.
Il am not here to argue this
case" he said. Il simply wish my
fellow Democrats who are here
today to know plainly and simply
the reasons for our position.
First. there is no effort to keep
the nominees Of this convention
on our ballots. Nobody has such
an idea and If he had the laws
OF Virginia (here he cited the
statute) provide that the names
OF the national candidates and
their electors must be placed on
the ballot.
What we object to was the
majority rule clause in the loyalty
pledge which may be construed
as committing this delegation
and the Democrats of Virginia to
any future action of this conven-
ton. We are frankly unwilling
to sign that"
The Governor also took occa-
sion to explain why Virginia had
not participated the night before
in the tremendous demonstration
for "the great Vice President of
the United States" Gov. Battle
said "it broke our hearts to re-
main out but that Virginia did
not feel she had established the
right to sit on the floor at that
time.
I'VE believe" Gov. Battle said,
"in the freedom exemplified by
Thomas Jefferson in whose county
tAlbemarle) happen to live. We
are not going to sign any pledge
that will jeopardize that freedom"
Supported by Sasscer.
When he returned to his seat,
Senator Byrd patted him on the
back and said. That was beau
tlfully done job. John"
Mr.. Tuck said it was one of the
greatest speeches I ever heard"
and delegates from within and
without the Virginia section clam
ored to shake his hand.
Shortly after louisiana and
South Carolina explained similar
views Maryland's Representative
6asscer. whose district borders Vir-
ginia along the Potomac River,
moved that the Virginia delegation
be seated. Gov. Battle didn't know
that Mr.. Sasscer intended to back
Virginia. "-,..
The Governor Of Virginia made
clear that under the laws of his
State there is substantial compli-
ance with the Moody resolution" 81
Mr.. Sasscer said.
A voice vote resulted in demands
for the conventions first roll call.
Virginia at first appeared to be
losing badly. ,.-.'
New York first reported four
in favor Of Virginia and 30
against.
We're gone now" Senator Byrd
said, but we made q hell of q
good showing"
Maryland's 18-vote delegation
is pledged to Senator Kefauver for
the presidential nomination but
voted against the Kefauver forces
on the matter Of seating the three
embattled Southern delegations.
Prepared to Leave Hall.
While the trend was still ad-
verse, National Committeeman G.
Fred Switzer of Harrisonburg, with
one hand on Virginia's standard
standing at the end Of the row
Of seats. asked Senator Byrd:
Harry, do you want US to take
this thing as we go or leave it
here?"