Evening star., 1960-07-12
Virginia Delegates Stick
With Johnson, HeorKennedy
By MARY LOU WERNER
Star stan Writer


Virginia delegates clung dog
sedly to Senator johnson to-
day-gloony but undaunted by
his apparent fadeout.
Even the prospect Of a per-
sonal visit by the front-runner
from Massachusetts, at q time
when he hardly needs to beg
their support failed to stir the
delegation majority from Sen
ator Johnson's fold.
There were some who hoped
that Virginia ultimately would
wind up with its 80 votes be-
hind the winning nominee, but
they conceded Senator Ken
nedy would have to achieve
something of a miracle when
he visits the Virginians tomor-
row If he is to get the States
support.
He is scheduled to appear
at Virginia's morning caucus
a few hours before the con-
vention appears destined to
make him the party's next
presidential nominee.
Up to Almond
Virginia's delegation is COM
mitted to support Senator
johnson as long as he is in
the running.
It would be up to Gov. Al
mond as delegation chairman
to release the delegates from
that commitment and let them
make a new choice whenever
he feels the johnson cause Is
hopeless. Gov. Almond en-
phatically announced last night
he was still with Senator john
son.
And even If Gov. Almond
would like to put his State in
the winning column, delegation
head-counterS were sure the
never-leave-Johnson crowd was
strong enough for the time be-
ing to keep Virginia in line.
Senator Kennedy is coming
to tomorrow's caucus at his
own request. He is a personal
friend Of william Battle, who is
a member Of the delegation
and who is among those family
hopeful of seeing Virginia ulti-
mately behind the winning
candidate.
When Virginia's first caucus
opened yesterday Gov. Almond
announced that a telegram had
been received from Senator
Kennedy expressing a desire to
appear before the delegation.
In the wire Senator Kennedy
adroitly noted that he had en-
.joyed Virginia's support for
Vice President four years ago
and said he was grateful.
Approve Appearance i,
Without mentioning anyone
by name, the delegation unani-
mously voted to hear all can
didates who choose to appear
before them. Senator Ken
nedy's appearance was sched- |
uled for II am. tomorrow.
Most of the first caucus was
taken up with plauditS for
Senator Johnson, and aSsur-
anceS that his campaign still
was going strong.
Gov. Almond assured the
delegation that the in-fighting
was just beginning, and OBJ
served that Senator Johnson's
supporters were past masters at
that sort Of thing. He was not :
exuding so much confidence,
however, when the Virginia
delegation arrived at the con- =
vention floor and learned Of
the days advances by Senator
Kennedy.
The Governors luck was bet
ter on another matter. With his
Intervention, the spat over
seating one of Virginia's dele
gates was settled amicably. All
sides thought they had won.
Challenged by GOOde =
The ruckus concerned Frank i
Vaughn of Richmond, who was t
an active Eisenhower support i
er In 1852 and 1856. The chal- b
lenge was filed in the name Of
Virgil Goode of Rocky Mount, S
also member of the delega- a
ton. n
Gov. Almond persuaded Mr.. q
Goode to withdraw the chal-
lenge in the interest of har- n
nony, and showed him the c
party pledge Mr.. Vaughn {
signed when he became a can. \
didate for delegate. Il
The pledge said Mr.! Vaughn1 /,
was q member Of the Virginia d
Democratic Party and would t
support the nominees Of that
party. .
Everyone involved seemed to .
be putting their own interpre- !,
tation on the meaning of the :
pledge, but it was enough to :
pacify the convention Creden- :,
tialS Committee which seemed :
only too happy to drop the q
whole matter. i