Evening star., 1955-07-24

By ALEX r. PRESTON

mental hospitals and other es-
sential State services (they're
for it,.
In practically all races where
Young Turks, or those who
make noises like them, ran,
they won. This doesn't mean
that in all cases they defeated
recognized Organization" can
didates. Conversely, all OF the
organization men who went
down to defeat weren't beaten
by Young Turks.
But with at least 20 new
members bound to show I'D
in next years General AS
sembly. due to death, default
and defeat, the outlook is for
a more liberal approach to
problems, overall.
Top Developments
Probably the two most sig
nificant developments from
the primary were these:
/. A stunning blow to the
organization by the defeat of
its House floor leader, Edmund
T. DeJarnette Of Hanover, at
the hands of a youthful politi-
cal unknown, Claiborne Greg
ory.
2. The nomination, and
probable election, Of three
Young Turks from the House
to the sometimes stodgy, al
ways staid, State Senate. This
looks like a crack in the dyke.
The two most prominent lead
erS Of this triumviate are Alex
andria's Delegate Arimstead
l.. Boothe and Delegate Stuart
B. Carter of Botetourt. The
third Turk-more recently
from the hatchery, so to speak,
Is Delegate William B. Spong
Of Portsmouth.
Some organization enthusi-
aSts have made much OF the
fact that Victor P. Wilson,
the Senate's most prominent
anti-organization member
including Republicans - was
defeated. The "old guard" has
had it in for Senator Wilson
Of Hampton since 1949.
That was the year in which
House Speaker G. Alvin Mas
senburg. who also was State
Democratic chairman, was de-
feated by Mr.. Wilson. Later,
when Mr.. Massenburg ran for
the Senate, MIR. Wilson dogged
him in that race and whipped
him again.
1t is true that the organi-
cation backed Stuart B. Hallett,
Newport News induStrialist,
against Mr.. Wilson this year.
But members of the Senate
and those closest to the scene
Of the contest. recognize that
there were, perhaps, personal
elements in this campaign that
contributed to Mr.. Wilson's
defeat--rather than a test of
pro versus anti organization
strength
Old-Line Loser
A died-in-the-wool, never
say-die. down-the-line Byrd
organization follower, Dele
gate j. Bradie Altman Of
Franklin. was one of the more
spectacular losers to a candi-
date with anti-organization
backing.
Mr.. Allman's defeat was
spectacular only because he
was SO very, very died-in-the
wool, never-say-die, down-the-
line. He was known, some
times, as the "hatchet man"
for the organization.
All Of the Young Turks from
the areas near Washington
Arlington, Alexandria and
Fairfax - were renominated
comfortably. In Fairfax, Del
egate John Webb won an i'm
pressive victory while Delegate
Omer Hirst was not too fal
ahead Of Lytton H. Gibson In
the three-way race for the two
seats.
Despite surface appearances.
however, some responsible
quarters accept these results
as an indication Of Mr.. Hirst's
real strength in the district.
That is because Mr.. Gibson,
strongly identified with the
organization, concentrated his
efforts on MIR. Hirst, yet the
latter was able to survive this
influence while Mr.. Webb, pre-
sumably. did not have to over
come it.
There are few signs that
leaders of the conservative or
ganization are welcoming this
newer, younger element who
call themselves the Turks.
Stephens Emereence
There's one notable excep-
ton, though. It comes from
a man who has been talking
q lot like q candidate for Gov
ernor in 1857 and who seems
to have seen the handwriting
on the wall ever since Repub-
lican Ted Dalton came close 10
being elected Governor In
1858.
He II: 1t. Gov. A. z. 8.
Stephens. After Mr. Dalton