Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-27
States Seen Solving
Candidate Conflicts
ForEarIyConyentions
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
Republicans and Democrats
are now virtually assured there
will be no legal hitch in their
plans for August nominations OF
their 1856 candidates for Presi-
dent and Vice President.
Of six States whose headlines
for filing the names of nominees
interfered with the August 20
dnte set for the Republican Ma
ticnal Convention next year.
three have already amended
their laws. They are Connecti-
cut, South Dakota and West
Virginia.
Tn the other three, necessary
Il" islation to change the filing
de- 'es is in the works and enact
ment is expected before the ad-
iournment of their Legislatures.
These States are Iowa. Massa-
chusetts and Ohio.
The Democratic Convention.
according to present plans Of
Democratic y National Chairman
Paul M. Butler. is to be held one
week earlier than the Repub-
lican gathering. It will open in
Chicago August Is. The Repub-
licans are meeting for the first
time in San Francisco.
Take Bull by Horns
The Republican National Com
mittee last winter decided upon
its August 20 convention date
Republican National Chairman
Leonard w. Hall, strongly favor
ing a late convention to be fol-
lowed by a comparatively short
presidential campaign, had ap-
preached party leaders-Demo-
cratic as well as Republican,
in Massachusetts and other
States and had received assur-
ances of action to change the
filing dates, so that the national
candidates could get on the bal
lots.
The Democrats, who had orig
inally talked of August 81 for
their national convention open
ing. arranged to hold their gath
ering either July % or August -.
After the Republicans had firmly
fixed August 20 for their conven-
ton. Chairman Butler decided
on the August date. The Demo-
cratic National Committee is to
meet in Washington April Is. It
is expected to approve Chairman
Buffers decision.
The problem which confronted
leaders of both parties was how
to get their candidates names on
the ballots for the November,
1856. election in view of the early
filing date laws in some States.
Neither party relished the pos
sibility of not getting its NOM
inees for President and Vice
President before the voters Of
even one State. The problem is
now on the way to solution.
s,.... Cited 'Na
The Massachusetts law, which
still has to be changed, calls for
the filing of the candidates names
by July 81. The West Virginia
deadline was August 10: South
Dakota, August 10; Connecticut.
August Is; Iowa, August II. and
Ohio. August %. n ~
In Ohio. the names Of the
presidential electors are placed
on the ballots. These are picked
early, or could be by party or
ganization. So even if the Ohio
law should not be amended, it
would be possible still to vote for
President in that State. In Mas
sachusetts and Iowa. the names
Of electors do not appear on the
ballots-just the names OF the
presidential and vice presidential
candidates. But even If legisla-
ton changing the present dead
lines for filing is not enacted.
it is believed court action would
solve the problem. i,
Michigan's filing date line Is
August 25. The Republicans
figure. however, they will have no
trouble nominating president
ial candidate by that day. since
they open their national conven-
ton August 20. Indeed, ex-
pectir1g confidently that Presi-
dent Eisenhower will run again.
they believe they will have a
candidate in three days time
after the convention begins.
Rayburn to Speak
The Democratic fund raising
dinner, which is to be given in
honor of Speaker Sam Rayburn
In Washington April 16, will bring
together most of the party lead
IT, AAfaI.