Lot 596
Kennedy, John F. Autograph Draft of a Letter In Extensive Note Form. As Congressman. Six pages, folio, on lined yellow paper, n.p., n.d. [1960]. There is an additional sheet with notes and telephone numbers written entirely in pencil; the five page draft is in blue ink. Cup stains on the first page, and a tiny area of paper loss at bottom right corner, otherwise in Fine Condition. An extremely desirable manuscript.
The election of 1960 was one of the closest in history, and during the campaign, the polls seesawed back and forth. Therefore, Kennedy was ever conscious of his actions and of the actions of others as they might impact on the upcoming election. These handwritten notes were Kennedy's rough draft for a letter to Senator Lister Hill, a Democrat from Alabama and Chairman of the Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee. Kennedy was a member of that Committee, along with Senator Barry Goldwater, a conservative Republican from Arizona and a supporter of Nixon in the campaign. Kennedy had returned to Washington from campaigning, in order to attend a scheduled meeting of the Committee, only to learn that the meeting had been cancelled at the request of Senator Goldwater. Kennedy writes:
"I was extremely disappointed on arrival in Washington …to learn that it had been canceled at the request of Sen. Goldwater …Our agreement two weeks ago was that we would meet every day this week on the Newberger Bill …Sen. Goldwater states that 'someone' in my office told him that there would be no meeting until Friday. I have personally checked …& no one has any recollection of the conversation …This is the 3rd time that a previously agreed on meeting has been canceled at Sen. Goldwater's request. This would be understandable if we were not both aware that Sen. Goldwater is taking every step that he can take to prevent majority action on the Bill …An effort is being made to delay this Bill & then to place responsibility on my campaign for preventing its passage …I therefore, respectfully request that the Committee plan to meet Mon., Tues. & Wed. Weekends if this week's meetings do not finish the job …until a majority has expressed their view. I further request that notices be sent to all members informing them of this schedule."
This important manuscript reveals Kennedy's cagey ability to circumvent political adversaries. It is interesting to remember that he did win the support of Labor in the 1960 election.
Estimated Value $3,500-UP.
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