Death & Texas

Two other Democrats at last week's Governors' Conference made news:

P: Texas' Governor Allan Shivers, who led his state to Eisenhower in 1952, put it on record that he will bolt again if Stevenson runs again in 1956. "I don't think he is suitable timber," Shivers explained. "I don't think he has the qualifications from any standpoint." Rather than support Stevenson, said Shivers, he would accept "practically anybody" the Republicans nominate, but he especially eulogized Ike for doing "an outstanding job" as President. "He has brought peace . . . Today we have both peace and prosperity. A few years ago many thought it could not be done." Did he intend to lead another Southern revolt against Stevenson? "I don't think you have to organize a revolt in the South; it is already there." Reason: "The Democratic Party is controlled by the North and East, by groups of very liberal tendencies which favor going into all socialistic fields." But he balked at talk of a Dixiecrat movement: "I have never supported a third party movement, and I have no intention of doing so now."

P: Michigan's brash, young (44) Governor G. Mennen ("Soapy") Williams shocked a roomful of political reporters (who do not shock easily) by answering a press-conference question--as to whether President Eisenhower would run again--in this candid manner: "There are so many things that can happen in this life. For example, he's an old man (64). He might die before the campaign begins." While reporters boggled, Soapy went on: "I mean Stevenson or any of us might die before that time. I think that at this early date the situation has not fully jelled. Any number of things might happen."

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