Evening star., 1960-07-19
Southern Bolt
Is Urged by
Gov. Barnett

(AP).-Gov. Ross Barnett has
taken the lead in urging a
Southern bolt from the Demo-
cratic Party.
Gov. Barnett said last night,
upon returning from the Demo-
cratic National Convention, he
favored reconvening Mississip-
pts Democratic Convention to
support a third party move
ment.
The Mississippi Governor,
who opposed the Democrats
civil rights plank. said the
Democratic platform was 80
horrible, so repulSive, so obnox-
ious, and so contrary to our
form of government. I don't
see how the people Of the South
can accept it,"
Similar sentiments were ex-
pressed by party leaders in
Georgia and Alabama.
G. o. P. Plank Waited
Although Gov. Barnett indi-
Gated he didn't think there was
ANY chance of Mississippi 60
ing along with the Republican
nominees" some Mississippi
Democrats will be following the
Republican National Conven-
ton closely in hopes of finding
a platform and candidate they
can support.
Mississippi Republican lead
ers, headed by Writ Yerger, jr.,
of Jackson, G. o. P. State
chairman, have left for the
G. o. P. convention in Chicago,
promising to fight for plat
form that will set the stage
for major Republican gains in
Mississippi and the South.
Some Mississippi Democrats
appear willing to join with
Republican conservatives. State
Senator w. B. Alexander of
Boyle has suggested a third
party headed by G. o. P. Sena-
tor Goldwater of Arizona.
Senator Goldwater has not in
dicated any enthusiasm for
this idea.
Another alternative being
discussed is the Endorsement
of an independent slate of elec-
tors. pledged to vote for the
major candidate who appears
more favorable to the South.
Any move for independent
electors or a third party would
likely run into opposition from
the State party's loyalists. For
mer Gov. James P. Coleman is
considered friendly to Senator
Kennedy, the Democratic NOM
inee. Another former Cover
nor. Hugh White. also has in
dicated he would back Senator
Kennedy.
A preliminary meeting on a
third party was held in Gov.
Barnett's hotel room in Los An
geles last Wednesday, after
adoption of the party platform.
Present were 10 Governors and
Congressman. including Sena-
tor Thurmond, Democrat of
South Carolina. States Rights
presidential nominee in 194S
and potential third-party
candidate this year.
Gov. Barnett has indicated
the l8 plan to meet in Atlanta
or New Orleans after the
COP. convention to map
strategy.
Move TO Unite Party
Since the meeting in Gov.
Barnett's Los Angeles hotel
room, the Democrats have
moved to satisfy the South by
nominating Senator johnson of
Texas as Senator Kennedy'S
running mate.
Many Southerners, however,
think Senator johnson is too
liberal on civil rights, although
others have indicated his NOM
ination for Vice President will
enable them to support the
party's ticket.
In Georgia. Gov, Ernest VAN
diver conceded that the ad-
dition of Senator johnson
strengthened the ticket in his
State but whether enough he
declined to say at present.
I'VE were run over rough
shod at the national conven-
ton" he declared. Then, they
suddenly became frightened
and named Senator johnson
in an effort to carry the South.
We are not happy about It,"
The Georgian spoke out Wig
orously against any shift to the
Republican ticket, predicting
that party will adopt a
"meaner" civil rights plank
than the Democrats. In the
past he also frowned on a
third party movement.
i Georgia's alternative. he in
dicated, would be to withhold
its electoral votes from the
Democratic nominees, thus at
tempting to deny any party a
winning margin in the Electoral
College and throwing the elec-
ton into the House of Repre-
sentatives.
johnson Not Acceptable
The presence of Senator
johnson on the ticket ap-
parently did not do much to
appeaSe rebellious Alabama
States rights electors.
i