Evening star., 1961-01-26
West Virginia
Set 10 Ratify
D. E. Suffrage
Stute Senote Gets
Resolution; House
To Follow Quickly

The West Virginia Senate
was expected to vote favorably
today or tomorrow on the con-
stitutional q m n dndent that
would give the District a vote
for President and Vice Presi-
dent.
Recommended by the State
Senate Judiciary Committee,
the resolution for the amend
ment went to the floor with the
support Of Senate President
Howard w. Carson, who spon-
Sored it.
Last week end Senator RAN
dolph. Democrat of Virginia,
one Of the amendments origi-
nal supporters, went to Charles
ton to talk up the proposal.
If the State Senate acts to-
day, the House of Delegates Is
expected to follow quickly. No
opposition to the amendment
has arisen in the Senate.
Supporters Of the amend
ment were turning to Wyoming
in an effort to avert defeat
in that State.
There the Senate Judiciary
Committee has recommended
against passage. This usually
is tantamount to no action
at all, which would obviate
ratification by the legislature.
Backed by Harrison
In washington. Representa-
tive Harrison. Republican of
Wyoming. is leading an effort
to have the resolution restored,
perhaps through q joint resolu-
ton originating in the House.
He has sent kilograms urging
ratification to Senate Presi-
dent Albert c. Harding and
House Speaker Joe Budd.
1t was learned that judiciary
committeeman had baked for
fear that amendment would
be q prelude to Statehood and
District representation in Con-
gress. A former State Senator.
Mr.. Harrison. and others were
seeking to disabuse the Repub-
lican-controlled legislature of
this idea.
The Wyoming State Tribune,
the States Oldest paper. also
was coming out with an ed
itorial supporting ratification.
Leaders Of the movement here
felt 1t would be Q big blow to
lose Wyoming. because the
legislature Is due to adjourn
February 10. and time Ii short
for new action.
Which way the District would
vote. should it win the right
to vote IL o question very
much in doubt, the chairman
Of the District Democratic Gen.
tral Committee said today.
w. John Kenney said 1t is
too early to state the District
would fall into the Democratic
column in 1854"
"Of course, we hope So" he
said. "and are working hard
for it. but there are too many
factors involved to predict q
victory for either party"
Mr.. Kenney's statement was
considered by bipartisan back
ers Of District suffrage as q
boost for State ratification Of
the constitutional amendment
that would give the District q
vote for President and Vice
President. They thought State
legislatures with Republican
majorities would take heart
from 1t.
$4,000 Voted "
Mr.. Kenney pointed out that.
in q population Of almost /
million, only about 10000
voters were involved IN last
years primary election. He
said that hardly represented o
cross-section Of political senti-
ment here. Also, there was no
Republican presidential pri-
mary contest at all.
I'VE have to remember that
nearby Montgomery County
elected q Republican in the last
election" he said.
Another boost for the amend
ment came today from Repre-
sentative Rivers, Democrat of
Alaska. who wired leaders in
the Alaska Legislature urging
ratification.
AS former colonials," Alas
kans know Of the Illustration
now being experienced by Dis
trict citizens. he said. 1t would
be most appropriate for Alas
kans to ratify the amendment
to give "our fellow Americans
In the District of Columbia the
rights for which we fought for
so long," Mr.. Rivers added.