The Pittsburgh Press (September 12, 1944)
Anti-Roosevelt Democrats in Texas stand ground
Pro-administration forces carry fight into convention as compromises fail
Dallas, Texas (UP) –
Pro-administration Democrats played for high stakes today, with possibly the November election in the balance, as they carried the fight for a complete slate of electors pledged to President Roosevelt and Senator Harry S. Truman to the floor of the Texas state convention.
Both factions offered compromises last night, but each rejected the other’s offer.
As the situation stands, fifteen of the state’s electors have announced they will follow instructions of the May convention and vote for some other Democrat, probably Senator Harry S. Byrd (D-VA), if Texas goes Democratic in November, as it usually does.
The loss of the 15 electoral votes in a close election might swing it in favor of Governor Thomas E. Dewey or throw it into the House of Representatives for a decision.