Evening star., 1952-11-20
Election.
May Hold Up
Legislature
Race in Leesbure
Is liveIiest of Series
Of Virginia Contests
By Alex R. Preston

Two and possibly three Judge.
ship electlons involving hot con-
tests could prolong the special
session of the Virginia General
Assembly which convenes De-
cember 2.
In the Northern Virginia area,
the liveliest set-to is a three-way
race for the seat Of Judge j. r. H.
Alexander o1 Leesburg, whose cir
cult includes Loudoun. Fauquier
and Rappahannock Counties.
Judge Alexander has asked to re-
tire about he first of next year.
There is a possibility of another
contest for the seat of Judge
Franklin P. Backus of Alexandria
Corporation Court, who was ap-
pointed to the post last month by
Gov. Battle. The appointment ex-
pires 80 days after the special ses-
sion adjourns. The General AS
sembly will be called upon to elect
some one to the Office, which Is
a second judgeship created earlier
this year.
Duncan Mentioned.
The name OF James r. Duncan
of Alexandria Civil and Police
Court may be offered along with
that Of Judge Backus, 1t was
learned. Judge Duncan had been
given the Endorsement of the
Alexandria Bar Association and
the support of State Senator John
A. K. Donovan last April. Judge
Backus, a former mayor of Alex
andria, recently got the support
of Alexandria Delegate Armistead
Boothe before Gov. Battles ap-
pointment.
The most involved race of all is
for the judicial post in the Will
liamsburg- Yorktown area where
at least six candidates are seeking
election to the vacancy created by
the death of Judge Frank Armi-
stead on September 2.
Latest to enter the race is j. p.
Cornick, York County Common
wealth'S Attorney. who had been
supporting Delegate Paul Crockett
of Yorktown for the Office.
1t is understood that State At
torpey General j. Lindsay AL
mond, jr., has ruled Mr.. Crockett
out because of a constitutional
prohibition against members Of
the General Assembly being ap-
pointed to other posts of profit or
trust. Gov. Battle is reported to
have decided that Mr.. Crockett is
ineligible for the appointment.
There are five other candidates,
other than Mr.. Crockett, for this
judgeship in the Fourteenth Cir
cult. including Robert T. Armis-
tead of Williamsburg, son of the
late judge.
26th Judicial Circuit.
The 26th Judicial Circuit con-
test over Judge Alexander's seat
finds State Senator Robert Y.
Button Of Culpepper in a more
difficult position than any other
of the General Assembly
from this area.
Delegate Stilson Hall of Lees.
burg, is backing Lucas D. Phillips,
a fellow citizen of Loudoun Coun-
ty. for the past.
Delegate Tom Frost of Warren
ton will give Fauquier County's
vote to Edward L. Balm, a War
renton attorney.
And Delegate D. French Slaugh-
ter of Culpepper. whose House
district also includes Rappahan-
mock County, is backing Rayner
Snead. an attorney of Washing
ton (VaD.
State Senator Raymond r.
Guest. whose oath Senatorial Dis
trict includes Rappahanock Coun-
ty. also is backing Mr.. Snead. But
the other two counties-Fauquier
and Loudoun, both fall within
Senator Buttons 28th Senatorial
District. He probably will have to
decide between Mr.. Balm and Mr..
Phillips but he hasn't said which
it will be.
Election Called assured"
Mr.. Frost said he has more
than enough commitments" from
other members of the General AS
sembly to assure Mr.. Bain's elec-
ton.
Others who support Mr.. Balm
claim that there was a gentle
mems agreement" between the
Loudoun County and Fauquier
County Bar Associations many
years ago that the judgship would
rotate in the circuit. Judge Alex
ander was elected from Loudoun
County. The Balm supporters feel
that 1t now is the time for their
man.
But some members of the Lou
doun bar feel that any such agree
nent between "two or three law.
7ers long time ago" is not bind
ng on the bar association today.
About three weeks ago the Lou
ioun County Bar Association voted
a tie. 7 to 7. between Mr.. Phillips
and Mr.. Balm. Three members did
1ot vote at that time. .
The association recessed and
agreed to obtain a mail ballot BY
he end Of the week but there Is
;ome dispute as to why the recess
vas taken. Some contend that 1t
vas to give the three members
who didn't vote a chance to cast
heir ballots while others say it
vas to give absent members an
to express themselves.
Mail Ballot.
At any rate, the mail ballot
finally put the association on rec
ord as II votes for Mr.. Balm and
for Mr.. Phillips. Some Of the
of the latter have
;harged that lawyers from outside
he county were imported" and