Evening star., 1952-07-25

IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE-Ch
treats every one with respect and
expects to be so treated"
Follow the rules" shouted a
Minnesota delegate.
"That's exactly what I am do
ing" snapped the Speaker. Fur
ther. the chair knows the rules. "
The chairman of the Virginia
delegation. Gov Battle, obtained
the floor and read to Chairman
Rayburn and the delegates the
letter which he and the Governors
of Louisiana and South Carolina
had previously sent to Mr.. Ray
burn, stating that these delega-
tions had not and would not
comply with the loyalty pledge,
and asking the chair to clarity
their status in the convention.
Rawlings Offers Pledge.
Mr.. Rayburn called on Chair
man Calvin Rawlings of the con-
vention's Credentials Committee.
who said that these delegations
were not entitled. under the new
rule. to vote in the convention.
Mr.. Rawlings invited the dele
cations, or any Of their members,
to step up and accept the pledge
Senator Long accepted the in
vitation. Mounting the speakers
stand, the Senator said:
Il don't propose to leave this
convention if I'm the only men,
Der of the delegation to stay"
Senator Long said that the only
thing the delegation had been
asked by the loyalty pledge rule
was to permit the people of
Louisiana to vote for the nomi-
nees of this convention.
Its not right" he said, ito
take the Democratic banner on
the ballot and put Republican
candidates under it. It's been
done before. but it's not the right
thing to do. It's time to stop
passing laws saying that the poll
ticians can stop the people from
voting for the candidates of the
Democratic National Convention.
It'll take my stand. and stake
my entire political fortunes on the
iSSIle he shouted
Kennon Replies to Long.
Mr.. Rawlings announced that,
since Senator Long had made this
statement. he would be seated in
the convention. Mr.. Rawlings
asked for other delegates to re-
Icant.
Gov. Kennon of Louisiana re-
piled to Senator Long:
1--WE have two good and suffi-
cient reasons for not subscribing
to this pledge" the Governor said.
One. he said, was that it violated
the instructions Of the Louisiana
Democratic governing body. The
other was that they would never
subscribe to actions which were
to be taken by other people at a
future time.
Speaking for his own delegation
and those of Virginia and South
Carolina, Gov. Kennon said they
would never subscribe to this
plsesge. And he concluded, as he
turned to leave the platform:
"Goodby and God bless you"
Gov. Battle told the convention
that Virginia law compelled the
placing Of the names Of the nomi-
nees Of this national convention
on the ballot.
I'VE object to the language of
this rule" he said. 1--WE do not
intend to be committed to sup
port any future action by this
convention. It's a matter of prin-
ciple with us. We are reserving to
ourselves the freedom advocated
by great Thomas Jefferson" He
asked ruling from the chair.
Sasscer Offers Motion.
Chairman Rayburn, pointing
out he was not a delegate to the
convention and had nothing to do
with writing the rule. said:
"The chair deeply regrets the
action he is going to take"
Mr.. Rayburn then ruled that
the delegates from the three States
had not complied with the new
rule, and so could not vote in the
convention.
There was applause and boos
and Representative Sasscer Of
Maryland. delegate, offered q
motion to seat the Virginia dele
cation, in the light of Gov. Battles
statement that the nominees would
be placed on the Virginia ballot.
Senator Willis Smith Of North
!, Carolina supported the Sasscer
resolution. He said the Demo
cratic Party wanted the votes OF
the Southern States next Novem-
ber.
J "The people Of North Carolina
Twill resent it strongly if these peo-
t pie are pushed out Of the conven-
: ton. I want to see these States
: and my State, 60 Democratic"
S Minnesota Challenges Motion.
While Senator Long was ad.
+ dressing the convention. ;" an elder.