There was intense pressure on Stanley to make good on his concession of August 14 . In a closed-door meeting with Assembly delegates attending the 1956 Democratic National Convention , Stanley again insisted on the authority to withhold state funds from any school district which integrated . But Delegate Delamater Davis of Norfolk ( the state 's largest city ) said his city would likely operate its schools without state funds if ordered to integrate . By mid-August , 18 local school districts had placed their budgets on a month-to-month basis so they could close schools on short notice if ordered to desegregate . But wealthy districts such as Arlington and Norfolk let it be known that they would defy state control and integrate . Outside of the Southside , there seemed little support for Stanley 's plan . This lack of support led to a shift in Stanley 's legislative proposals . Originally , the governor had sought discretionary authority to withhold funds from integrated school districts ; now the goal became automatic cut-off
1956 Democratic National Convention
1956 Democratic National Convention
Stanley plan