Evening star., 1953-07-12
Virqinio's Democratic Primary

One of the remarkable things about Vir-
ginia's Democratic gubernatorial contest-to be
decided at the polls next Tuesday-is its failure
to arouse the voters to any noticeable degree
of excitement. The contenders in the primary,
Arlington State Senator Charles R. Fenwick
and former Representative Thomas B. Stanley
of down State Henry County, have tried to whip
up some enthusiasm, but the results have been
sporadic and generally negligible. The truth
of the matter is that there are no emotion
stirring issues for the electorate to decide.
About the only hot aspect of the campaign has
been the weather
Yet this campaign for Governor OF the
State has extraordinary significance for the
voters of nearby Virginia. For the first time
in history they will have an opportunity to cast
their ballots for a gubernatorial candidate from
Northern Virginia. Senator Fenwick is native
of Arlington County, a longtime civic and
political leader and veteran champion OF
Northern Virginia causes before the General
Assembly. He is depending on heavy turnout
of nearby Virginia supporters to carry him
over the top In what apparently is scheduled
to be close race.
While Mr.. Stanley is less well known in this
part Of the State he is popular throughout the
southern part and has considerable following
elsewhere. Both MIR. Fenwick and Mr. Stanley
have been members of the dominant Byrd po-
litical organization, but The Stars primary
reporter, Alex Preston, has found that most OF
the courthouse crowd" at county seats in all
sections Of the State are in the Stanley corner.
The correspondent encountered listlessness
among majority of the voters everywhere he
has Travelled, however. A Roanoke newspapers
poll revealed that many voters did not even
know who was running for Governor.
The two candidates have conducted clean
campaigns along different lines of strategy.
Never in the memory of old-timers has can
didate covered more territory and talked to
more voters than Mr.. Fenwick. Mr.. Stanley
belatedly has waged an active campaign ap-
parently spurred on by his opponents perambu-
latons and oratory. To a QUESTIONABLE pro-
pounded by the Virginia League of Women
Voters, Mr.. Fenwick replied promptly and fully
in writing, while Mr.. Stanley, asking to be
excused from filling out the QUESTIONABLE, said
he would reply to each question during the
course Of his campaign The chairman OF the
league last week said that Mr.. Stanley may have
touched on" some of the questions, but that
he had failed to reply to the No. l question
about repeal of the poll tax Senator Fenwick
said if elected he would recommend submis-
sion Of the issue to the voters in the simplest
terms possible.
1t would be unfortunate II the apathy OF
the citizens evidenced during the campaign is
reflected at the polls Tuesday. After all, Vir-
ginians will be voting their choice of a man
who. barring Republican miracle will be their
leader during an important period of the States
history. In the interest of a healthy democracy,
every citizen qualified to vote in the primary
should make 1t his business to participate in
the choosing of their States next Governor.
OF popular radio singer, an interviewer
writes that he is as "unspoiled as the boy next
door," which can be interpreted in various ways,
depending on the boys you have lived next
AAoR IN