Atlanta Daily World

GOP Labels Sparkman As 'Race Baiter'

WASHINGTON - (INS) - The Republican National Committee Tuesday called Democratic Vice Presidential nominee John Sparkman "a race baiter" and "another Bilbo" who will never win the Negro vote.

A Committee spokesman quoted the Alabama Senator as having said: "I am against the civil rights proposals (in the Democratic platform) - always have been and always will be."

The spokesman asked: "How can Sparkman, a race baiter, be for any civil rights after such statements?"

He did not say when the Alabaman made the remark, but Sparkman was instrumental in the drafting of this year's Democratic platform.

In a statement issued by the GOP committee, the spokesman, Val P. Washington, declared:

"Any attempt to sell a race-baiting Sparkman to Negroes is certain to fail. The greatest test of liberalism is 'where you stand on the question of first class citizenship for our largest minority, the American Negro.' On his own statements, Sparkman is another Bilbo."

The late Sen. Bilbo (D) Miss, was for many years considered the nation's most violently outspoken foe of civil rights.

Washington also lashed out at the CIO. He accused it of trying to "confuse" Negroes into voting for the Stevenson-Sparkman ticket by putting out "bunks" trying to prove the Democratic candidates are their friends.

LAFF-A-DAY