Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-07-19
Virqinio's Boothe Comeback
Seen Gain for Moderation

Senator Boothe's backing, a sound
defeat in favor Of Northern Vir-
ginia's principal exponent OF
massive resistance, James M.
Thomson.
After the licking Mr.. Smoot
took, Senator Boothe confided to
his family that it looked as though
he would be defeated at the polls
in the 1859 election.
But told them I would come
back again four years later" re-
called Senator Boothe. II felt
If I lived long enough I would
be vindicated. I didn't expect it
to happen so fast"
The actual closing of public
schools last fall followed by col
lapse of the massive resistance
laws in court, a realization that
the school problem can be met
without wholesale indignation, and
Gov. Almonds decision that Vir-
ginia mad reached the end Of the
massive resistance road are the
three factors that Senator Boothe
believes figured in his victory.
pupil assignment is now a part
Of the States new school program
if localities see fit to use it.
In conservative Virginia, Sena-
tor Boothe's venture into the
school segregation issue has
classed him as a liberal. He doesn't
mind the label IF it is properly
used" but believes he would be
rated on the conservative side if
his votes in Richmond we're being
made on similar legislation in
Washington. He would fit into the
national Democratic party picture
somewhere close to Senator
Kennedy.
Feels Moderate
Actually, I feel I have been on
the straight and moderate course"
observed Senator Boothe. Mas
sive resistance has been the rad
ical side"
Senator Boothe likes to compare
the historical significance of Gov.
Almonds freedom of choice" to
an antislavery resolution that
nearly passed the Virginia Cen
eral Assembly in 1882. A shift Of
eight votes would have carried the
emancipation measure. Had it
passed, Senator Boothe believes
other Southern States would have
followed suit and there would
have been no Civil War.
He does not look upon the school
segregation issue in warlike terms,
but feels it is of tremendous inn
portance to Virginia and the
South that his State has cast
aside futile defiance in favor of
more moderate program that at
least attempts to live with the
Supreme Court decision.
A lot of Virginians still haven't
accepted the idea of submitting
to indignation, no matter how
closely it can be controlled, but
the change that has taken place
the past year once more makes
room for people like Senator
Boothe who were out in the cold
while massive resistance was the
fit and proper side to be on.
Anyone who has run against
Senator Boothe can testify, how
ever, that issues alone were not
his only assets in staging a come
beck.
The 5l-year-o1d Senator, who
looks more like Al, thinks fast on
his feet, speaks convincingly. and
has the ability to get along
equally well at a f1remen's crab
feast or Perle Mesta Soiree.
For the peace Of mind of those
office holders who might wonder
what Senator Boothe's next move
will be, he diSclaimS any further
political ambitions beyond the
State Senate of Virginia. This
includes the 10th district congress
slonal seat for which he has been
mentioned as likely Democratic
contender. Home in Virginia is
where he says he wants to stay.