ustxtxb_obs_1967_07_21_50_00012-00000_000.pdf

at z ‘ Since 1866 The Place in Austin GOOD FOOD GOOD BEER 1607 San Jacinto GR 7-4171 MARTIN ELFANT Sun Life of Canada 1001 Century Building Houston, Texas CA 4-0686 /~444~I~44-.444#~0,* MEETINGS THE THURSDAY CLUB of Dallas meets each the Downtown YMCA, 605 No. Ervay St., Dallas. Good discussion. You’re welcome. Informal, no dues. The TRAVIS COUNTY LIBERAL DEMO-CRATS meet at the Spanish Village, 802 Red River, at 8 p.m. on the first Thursday. You’re invited. ..114101111111.WOMM,110WIN110MIN. 411101111110010 01 Texas Society to Abolish Capital Punishment memberships, $2 up P.O. Box 8134, Austin, Texas 78712 11141!NIMP. 0 ANAIII.H14111001101=1. =11.11M. IIMMIK.M.111141100.11 I 1 representatives who were pledged to Tunnell for the speakership support Barnes. As Secy. of State Barnes could improve his standing as a potential governor, it is figured, whenever Connally decides to give up the governor’s job. One of the House’s top names, Rep. Gene Fondren, Taylor, has said he won’t run for reelection. It is believed he is planning to accept a job in Washington with a railroad association. Fondren had collected -a number of pledges for a ‘Speaker’s race whenever Barnes moves on. Fondren’s withdrawal makes Mutscher the most likely Barnes successor. Mutscher claimed, last week, to have pledges of support from more than 120 of the 150 House members for redemption when Barnes leaves. It seems evident that Barnes must bide his time through next year’s elections, since Connally seems unready to stand aside and, moreover, has indicated that Sen. Hall likely will be his running mate in 1968. There is talk of Barnes running for the second spot, but this appears unlikely; the governor seems to prefer Hall at this point. Other potential entrants in next year’s Demo primary include Stanley Woods, the Houston oilman and liberal who challenged Connally in 1966. Woods attended the recent Texas Liberal Democrats convention in, Austin full of ideas about state issues and talking enthusiastically about the chances of liberals next year and afterwards. V And, of course, there’s always U.S. Sen. Ralph Yarborough, a man whose family roots are deep in Texas, dating back 120 years, and who has long cher ished the notion of being governor. An article in a recent Coronet hints that 12 The Texas Observer such a race might be in Yarborough’s mind; the Senator says he’ll decide after Congress adjourns. However, he is not considered a likely candidate at this point; he is gaining in prestige in Washington, too much so to consider lightly the prospect of giving that up. Yarborough can, however, do his best to prepare the ground for another liberal gubernatorial candidate. And, particularly in two speeches of recent months, he has seemed to be doing just that. Addressing the legislature in April and the North Dallas Democratic Women in May, the Senator deplored Texas’ low standing in education and low per capita income, extensive poverty, and lack of a minimum wage. “Texas needs more education, not more intoxication,” Yarborough said, jabbing at Connally’s liquor by the drink proposal. He cited the impact of the federal dollar on Texas and, in so doing, took another poke at the governor: “Did you know that 90 cents of every dollar spent on the Interstate Highway system was federal money? The state government cuts the ribbons, dedicates the roads, and whips the contractors drawing those big federal checks into line for the reactionary machine that governs Texas.” The Senator points out that Texas received $15 million in federal aid for education in 1957, compared to $180 million last year. Texas receives more money from the federal government than its people pay in income taxes, he notes, “because we are a low income ; low wage, depressed income state.” frif The Observer continues to regard as unfounded the recurrent rumor that Yarborough will take a federal judgeship. g o s Jon Ford, San Antonio Express-News capital correspondent, reports the recent results of a private statewide poll on gubernatorial prospects that shows Connally preferred by 44%, Lt. Gov. Smith 15%, Barnes 14%, Don Yarborough 9%, and Spears 6%. If Connally is not in the race the figures would be Smith 25%, Barnes 24%, Don Yarborough 19%, and Spears 11%. Ford believes that Barnes “won” the recent legislative session from Smith. Smith “has made bitter enemies in the Senate, and Barnes has badly outpointed him in the constant maneuvering of the two legislative presiding officers for favors of the special interest groups and organization,” Ford writes. ITEMS for this feature cost, for the first entry, 7c a word, and for each subsequent entry, 5c a word. \\V must receive them one week before’ the date of the issue in which they are to bo published. V Bill Kilgarlin, who ran for Congress as a liberal Democrat against incumbent Bob Casey in the southern district in Houston and lost, is now living in a house in River Oaks, in the district of Cong. George Bush. This does not, however, mean that Kilgarlin is likely to take on Bush. GOP Worries V The Democrats have to worry about a divisive primary, voter reaction against their legislature, and, if Connally wins the primary, the Fourth Term Burden. But the Republicans have troubles, too. They have no candidate for governor yet, will be pressed to find enough good candidates for statewide and the 181 legislative races, and must heal wounds from the 1964 Goldwater campaign that still fester, dividing the party’s limited number of faithful in Texas into Goldwater and more moderate wings. The Goldwater people nationwide seem to be lining up behind Richard Nixon, though they would prefer Ronald Reagan, while the other Republicans take their choice among several candidates. V In speculation about whom the Re publicans will run for governor, a new name is heard, Jim Collins, who ran a tough race against Cong. Joe Pool last year. Will Wilson, the former attorney general and candidate for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, remains at this point the leading GOP contender to head the Republicans’ state ticket next year. Texas Republicans must achieve more unity, particularly in Houston and Dallas, if the party is to do well in the state next year. In Houston the more conservative precinct leaders have reduced the power of the moderate county chairman, Jim Mayor, by stripping him of control of the standing committees in the Harris county organization. V Meanwhile, Republicans in the state seem to be hewing to the principle of aligning themselves behind Sen. John Tower as a favorite son candidate for president next year. TV star James Drury a national committee in support of Tower. Drury was active in the Reagan gubernatorial and Goldwater presidential campaigns. In other notes pertaining to 1968, a rally was held in San Antonio by the Constitution Party in behalf of Alabama’s first gentleman, ex-Gov. George Wallace. fro Minority group support of LBJ next year might not be as strong as in 1964. Negroes in Houston, particularly the younger ones, are outspoken in their dis