University of Virginia Library

Henderson Calls For Defense Cuts;
Supports Compulsory National Service

By JOHN EPPS

Horace E. "Hunk"
Henderson, independent
candidate for the United States
Senate from Virginia, held a
talk session yesterday in the
Informal Lounge in Newcomb
Hall.

Mr. Henderson told the small
group that he was running for
the Senate because he "felt
strongly that Virginia needed a
choice other than Mr. Spong
(the Democratic incumbent,
William B. Spong,) and Mr.
Scott (the Republican nominee
U.S. Rep. William L. Scott)."

"The race is, in my
judgments, between Mr. Spong
and myself." "Mr. Scott," he
said, "is not a viable
candidate."

Strong Position On Vietnam

Mr. Henderson stated that
his position on the Vietnam
war is "even stronger than Mr.
McGovern's" and the first
priority of the nation should be
to cut the national defense
budget. "I am deeply
concerned that the United
States is controlled by a
military industrial mentality,"
he told the group of students
and newsmen. "We've got to
stop being the policemen for
the entire world."

Mr. Henderson also
reiterated his desire to see the
enactment of a National
Service Act, which would
require all men and women to
serve the nation in some
capacity, military or civil.

"All young people should be
given the opportunity to
perform in a public capacity to
serve the nation if they do not
elect to go in the armed
services," he said.

Mr. Henderson criticized
both of his opponents for
"accepting the system" of
politics and Congress. He said
that both were being financed
by "special interest groups". "I
will not accept contributions
from special interest groups,"
he told the gathering.

He said that Mr. Spong and
Mr. Scott had accepted the
rules of Congress that he would
like to see changed. He cited
the seniority system for
committee appointments,
secret committee meetings,
secret lobbies and the filibuster
rule.

Spong Draws Criticism

Mr. Spong's performance in
the Senate drew sharp criticism
from Mr. Henderson. He said
Mr. Spong's record was
"maudlin and mediocre."

"A United States Senator,"
he stated, "has a responsibility
to the entire people of Virginia
to aspire to some degree of
statesmanship. I see no record
of distinction on his part. He
has accomplished nothing
toward fulfilling the American
dream."

Loyalty Question

He said Mr. Spong is a
"technician, if not a law
clerk."

In reference to Mr. Spong's
position of neutrality in the
presidential race, Mr.
Henderson said, "If he feels no
obligation to support George
McGovern for President, then
no Virginia Democrat has the
responsibility to support
William B. Spong."

Mr. Scott did not escape Mr.
Henderson's attack. "Scott is
so far out of the mainstream of
Virginia interests," he said,

"that he would not be good for
the Republican party or for
Virginia."

Mr. Henderson reiterated his
claim that Mr. Scott "is so far
to the right, he thinks Nixon is
a liberal."

The independent candidate
stated that if he were elected,
he would try to have all
treaties of the United States
"reviewed and revised" to
conform with "today's
experience and today's
situation." He singled out the
NATO, SEATO and ANZUS
(Australia, New Zealand and
the United States) treaties.

Mr. Henderson
acknowledged that his is an
uphill battle in this campaign.
"We have begun to bridge the
identity gap," he said.