Evening star., 1952-06-05
|boothe Halls
Special Session
Backing by Byrd
Northern Virginia
Stonds to Gain by
Reopportionment

NeoPPOTtiOnment
Added support for a special ses-
sion of the Virginia General AS
sembly to reapportion it's own leg
islative districts was greeted to-
day by Delegate Armistead Boothe
OF Alexandria, leader of a group
seeking the session.
The latest Endorsement came
from State Senator Harry F. Byrd,
jr., of Winchester.
Under the conditions, I believe
that special session should be
called during 1852, and herewith
pledge my cooperation in bring
ing about a fair and reasonable
reapportionment of legislative
seats as required by the consti-
tuition" Mr.. Byrd was quoted by
the Associated Press.
Northern Virginia, which OBJ
tanned the States new 10th con-
gressional district earlier this year,
also stands to gain added repre-
sentation in the State Senate and
House of Delegates under any
legislative reapportionment nlan
based on population gains.
Comments on Statement.
Commenting on the Byrd state
ment. Mr.. Boothe said, "I can
think of nothing which will be
more f<pful in putting across
the drive for a special session
and fair reapportionment.
Knowing him as an able leeis-
lator who responds to the call of
duty, we are not surprised.
The decision was purely his affair
as ne had a chance to consider
all the factors involved"
The regular session of the Gem
eral Assembly earlier this year
turned down a commission report
which would have given the Alex
andria Arlington Fairfax Falls
Church area seven delegates and
three State Senators. The area.
along with Prince William County
now has only two Senators and
four delegates.
Gov. Battle stated recently that
he would call a special session if
he received reasonable" assur-
'ances the legislators would ade-
quately reapportion the Senate
and House of Delegates seats.
10-Year Redistricting Law.
The constitution calls for redis-
tricting every 10 years, the second
year after the .decennial census.
Attorney General j. Lindsay AL
mond, jr., held in a recent opin-
ion that failure of the general
assembly to redistrict In 1852
would be a violation of the con-
stitution. .s#
There has been since adjourn
ment Of the 1852 legislature, a
strong sentiment among some of
the legislators for a special ses-
sion. Delegate Boothe has been
chief spokesman for this group,
and he claims signatures of 81
assemblymen to a petition looking
to a special session.
Mr.. Boothe last week hailed
Gov. Battles statement, that he
would call a special session if given
assurances Of adequate redistrict-
ing. as "an extremely fair atti-
tude."
Cold water was thrown on the
idea. however, when State Sem
ator Robert c. Vaden, of Gretna,
president pro tenn of the Senate
and chairman of the Senate
Privileges and Elections Commit
tee which would consider redis-
tricting legislation, said he saw no
need for a special session this
year.
Statement by Byrd.
Senator Byrd also is a member
of the powerful Privileges and
Elections Committee of the SEN
ate.
The constitution provides that
the Governor shall be required
to call special session if pre-
sented with a petition for one
signed by two-thirds of the men,
bership Of each house. Mr.. Boothe
has made it plain. however, that
his group is not attempting to
force the Governor to call spe-
cial session but rather to persuade
him to do so.
For his part. Gov. Battle has
indicated two-thirds majority OF
each house on petition would
not be necessary. But he declined
to particularize on just what he
would consider reasonable as
surances that the membership OF
the legislature meant business.
He said he did not want to put
the State to the expense Of an
extra session-in the neighborhood
of 0,000-unless both houses
are now disposed to support an
adequate redistricting bill"
Gov. Battle indicated that
should he be convinced a specia.