Evening star., 1954-11-04
Contest Hinted
Over Jennings
Victory in 9Th
Complaints Heard
Over WompIer's
Defeat by 9ol Votes
BY the As,oeioisd Press


RICHMOND. Va, Nov. A.
Democrat Pat Jennings today
claimed an uneasy victory over
Republican Representative VIII
liam c. Wampler for the 9th
district congressional seat amid
rumblings Of contested elec-
ton.
Sheriff Jennings. Smyth Coun.
ty, is an unofficial 991 vote win
ner over Mr.. 'Wampler, 28-year.
old former Bristol newspaper.
man seeking his second term.
There was nothing official on
plans to protest the election in
the fighting 9th," but there
were scattered reports of a con-
test being filed.
One Man Custody Cited.
In Russell County, the vote
count was delayed because SO Of
81 mail ballots at the Norton
precinct were sent out prior to
the election to voters in care Of
one man at CaStlewood.
The ballot box was reportedly
taken to Lebanon In the custody
of election officials when one
Judge complained about the mail
ballots. The argument persist
ed until 4 am. and the votes
finally were counted in the
courthouse.
Another complaint was heard
about voting procedure in Leb-
anon.
ut was impossible to vote
without a snooper at your ell
bow" said the man, who de-
clined to be identified.
Complete unofficial returns
from the eth showed Mr.. Jen-
nings a 39,216 to 1926 winner
over Mr.. Wampler.
The Republican captured the
mountainous 9th in 1852 by q
2,700-vote margin in a total vote
Of slightly under $1,000. He lost
1t Tuesday in a record total vote
Of more than 77,000.
Mr.. Wampler made no con-
ceSsion.
Two G. O.P. Victories Decisive
There was no indecision about
the Republicans victory In two
of the other State districts they
won In 1852.
Representative Richard Po6
grabbed a record Republican
percentage in the 9Th District
against Democrat Ernest Robert
son. Mr.. Poff, also seeking his
second term. won with a COM
manding S2,850-19,761 edge over
Mr.. Robertson.
Mr.. Robertson, who won In
the Democratic primary, blamed
his loss on the silence of Senator
Harry F. Byrd, State party
leader. Many in the conserva-
tive wing of the party were less
than warm toward his can.
didacy.
Mr.. Robertson said it was time
Senator Byrd said that at heart
he was not a Democrat and
should step aside and let loyal
Democrats" reorganize the party.
Senator Byrd declined COM
ment on the Robertson blast.
In the Northern Virginia 10th,
Representative Joel T. Broyhill,
Republican, won handily 1921
to 24.663 over Democrat John c.
Webb.
Democrats Won Seven.
Senator Robertson was an
easy victor over minor party op.
position and Democrats easily
won the seven other House seats.
Republican leaders hailed the
Virginia results as an indication
Of a two-party system in the
traditionally Democratic State.
National Committeeman Ted
Dalton, last years G. o. P. can.
didate for Governor, who polled
As per cent of the vote. said that
while Mr.. Wampler's apparent"
loss In the 9th was q disap.
pointment, the result encourages
''us to believe that our Virginia
people are thinking more in
terms Of the merits of the issues
and less of the fetish of party
labels"
Democratic Chairman Thomas
H. Blanton said, Were mighty
glad to get one district"
L