Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-07-15
DEMOCRATS
Choice of johnson for No. 2 Spot
Seen as Blow to 6. 0. P. in South

Continued From First Page
plank in the platform earlier
in the convention.
Gov. @. Mennen Williams Of
Michigan, who obviously was
trying to placate members of
his delegation, said they felt
the johnson choice was a mis-
take, but also felt that they had
obtained a presidential candi-
date in whom they have a great
deal of trust"
Actually, the disgruntled lib
erals were recognizing the ira
dition that a convention does
not deny a presidential candi-
date the right to pick his run
ming mate.
1t required a two-thirds vote
to suspend the rules and avoid
a roll call. The "ayes" were
louder than the noes" and
Gov. Leroy Collins of Clorida,
presiding, banged his gavel as
he declared the motion carried.
From the rear of the plat
form, short time later, Sena-
tor johnson strobe forward,
beaming a smile and waving his
arms. With him were his wife,
Lady Bird, and the younger
of their two daughters. l3-
year-old Lucy. The 16-year-old
daughter, Linda, had gone to
Disneyland and had not
learned Of the fast-moying
events which gave her father
second place on the ticket.
Words Of Thanks
Senator johnson said a few
words of thanks to the dele
gates last night as a prelimi-
nary to his full-fledged &C
ceptance speech tonight.
"As an American" he began,
"as a Democrat, as a warm,
good friend. I am proud to
stand beside and to stand be-
hind the next President Of the
United States, Jack Kennedy.
IF I have any capacity to
offer, il will always be his.
Whatever capacity I have will
be available always for service
to my country and my party. I
want to serve and to serve well.
I will leave it to my fellow
Democrats, to my fellow Amer
leans, to determine what will
be the title on my door,"
This was a reference to the
fact that Senator johnson al
ready has been renominated in
Texas for reelection to the
Senate, and. under Texas law
he is permitted to run both for
the Senate and for Vice Presi-
dent. In Texas his nomination
to the Senate is virtually equiv
alent to election, so that if the
Republicans should win the
presidential election, Senator
johnson is virtually assured of
retaining his Senate seat.
Announces Choice
Senator Kennedy announced
to a press conference late
yesterday, after a day Of con-
ferring with many party lead
ers, that Senator johnson was
his choice. Early in the morn
ing the presidential nominee
had gone to Senator Johnsons
room in the Biltmore Hotel.
Gov. David L. Lawrence of
Pennsylvania placed Senator
Johnson's name in. nomination,
and it was seconded by Sen
ator jackson Of Washington,
Representatives Udall Of Ari-
IONA, Dawson of Illinois and
Holifield of California and Cows.
Almond Of Virginia and Dock
ing of Kansas.
Mr.. Dawson, one Of the Negro
members Of the House. told the
delegates that never have I
known him Senator Johnson)
to do or say one thing based
on questions Of race, creed or
sectionaliSm."
Senator Thurmond OF South
Carolina told a reporter he be-
lieves the johnson nomination
strengthens the ticket in the
South, but he would not predict
Whether it would be enough to
keep the South in the party.
Opposed Acceptance
House Speaker Rayburn of
Texas, who urged Senator I
johnson not to take second
place, shook his head and
sighed a little sadly at the
outcome which was formally
ratified by the Democratic
convention last night.
Mr.. Rayburn's explanation
was that Senator johnson had
been offered the spot and re-
piled in simple language that
he couldn't reject any demand
for service his party or his
country laid upon him. Sen
ator johnson himself offered
no enlightening explanation.
Whatever his motives, by the !
introduction of Senator john
sons name on the ticket Sen
ator Kennedy appeared to have
softened a movement to deny
him the vote of several South
ern States In the electoral
college.
Senator Kennedy could deal
with the complaining liberals
of the party. They had no Or
CARNATIONS to deny him the
electoral vote of any State. He
could pitch for their support
by the liberal utterances such
as he planned for tonight's ex-
travaganza.
Target of ADA
Tonight's formal acceptance