California: Not-So-Favorite Son

Ronald Reagan was a long way from Hollywood and Vine last weekend, helping with Republican fund-raising affairs across the South. But just three blocks south of the famous old intersection, in a rambling warehouse, dedicated volunteers were running an eight-day "Recall-a-thon" aimed at removing Reagan from his starring role in Sacramento.

Though the Governor is not due for re-election until 1970, California is one of 13 states that allow state officers to face recall, a turn-of-the-century device designed to evict officeholders before their terms are up. The Recall-a-thon climaxes a six-month attempt to exercise that privilege.

The law varies for different...