Volume 17 , Issue 35

State Democrats Slap Governor, Select Alvan (Sep., 1959)

Remember back to when there were Democrats winning in Oklahoma? According to the "Miami Daily News-Record," located in Miami, Oklahoma, the front page headlines boasted: "State Democrats Slap Governor, Select Alvan." News article was through the Oklahoma City (AP) office, date 20 September 1959, Sunday, with sub-headlines reading: "Chairmanship to McGill by 9-4 Secret Vote as Tulsa Choice Casualty of Revolt."

Found on Newspapers.com

It all started in the late 1958 or 1959, with NW Okie's Dad, Gene M. McGill, winning the Democrat campaign for State Chairmanship against Gov. Edmondson's man, Pat Malloy, in a secret vote at a special meeting in the Biltmore Hotel, in Oklahoma City. The 45 year old Woods County rancher received a 9-4 edge over Malloy.

Oklahoma City (AP) Sep. 20, 1959 -- Oklahoma Democratic leaders rebuffed the governor Saturday and elected Gene McGill of Alva state chairman.

The executive committee named McGill to the top post over Pat Malloy of Tulsa, who was the choice of Gov. J. Howard Edmondson.

A secret vote at the special meeting in the Biltmore Hotel in Oklahoma City gave the 45 year old Woods County rancher a 9-4 edge over Malloy.

Edmondson had asked the committee to elect Malloy as successor to Loyd Benefield, who insisted on stepping down before the fall fund-raising started later that month.

There had been rumors of a revolt against Edmondson by the committee. But his power as titular head of the party was expected to be strong enough to put Malloy in office.

There was an unsuccessful attempt at the sometimes stormy meeting to keep Benefield in office.

Ed Dudley of Madill, who seemed to be heading the governor's faction, first made the motion to accept Benefield's resignation.

Later, after his man was defeated, Dudley tired to back up and keep Benefield as party chairman. McGill stressed he does not want a fight with Edmondson.

He said he hopes there will be party harmony, and that the action of the committee would be accepted peacefully by all Democrats.

Edmondson was in Albuquerque speaking at the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner there Saturday and could not be reached for comment.

Benefield said he was resigning because of "binding personal reasons."

Raymond Thomas of Tulsa, party secretary, asked Benefield if he would stay if the committee refused to accept his resignation. Benefield said no. Dudley then moved to accept the resignation, and his motion lost 8 to 5.

Benefield said stubbornly, "I reiterate my desire that you accept my resignation."

The committee then went behind closed doors for another vote and the resignation was accepted 12-1. Only vote against it was by Mrs. Grace Hudlin, Hulbert, state co-chairman.

Dudley nominated Malloy, a Tulsa attorney and former candidate for mayor. J. Fred Green, Sallisaw, second district chairman, nominated McGill and after considerable discussion the vote was taken.

Green said he nominated the Alva man because he was a member of the Executive Committee which had worked harmoniously for a long time.

Green said, "I therefore feel it would be better for us to continue this relationship rather than have someone unfamiliar with he situation taking over." The action came as a surprise tot he Edmondson block, and argument could be heard behind closed doors.

McGill had been chairman of the First District four years and previously headed Woods County Democrats. McGill was married and the father of four girls. While McGill said he isn't looking for a fight with the governor, he said the Democratic party should be controlled by the organization.

"What pleases me most is the confidence shown in me by my friends and colleagues on the executive committee," McGill said. "I have worked most of my adult life in the Democratic Party and this is the finest honor I could receive."

McGill went on to say, "My aim will be to keep the party strong at every level, especially in the grass roots. I anticipate no fight with the governor or within the party. When called upon to make such decisions as this one today, it is the executive committee's duty to do so. Now that the decision has been made, I believe all loyal Democrats will accept it in good grace."

Benefield had been party chairman for four years. He was an Oklahoma City attorney.

The fund raising drive would be climaxed by a Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Oklahoma City which Edmondson says would be the biggest in the nation. The governor had invited seven leading presidential aspirants to speak, and three already have accepted. As chairman, McGill's would have the job of making the fund drive and the dinner a success.
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