Investigations: Conflict of Interests

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Democrats, quite understandably, wish that the Bobby Baker case would quietly disappear. Republicans, also understandably, would like to keep it wide open at least until November. This conflict of interests has caused some spectacular fireworks in the staid Senate chamber.

Slow Burn. New Jersey Republican Clifford Case helped bring things to a head by urging that the Rules Committee reopen the Baker probe and question Senators. "When I hear of an employee of the Senate boasting that he has ten members of this body in his hand," said Case, citing a statement attributed to Baker, "I do a slow burn." Delaware Republican John J. Williams followed with a resolution that would authorize the committee to quiz Senators and to look into "any illegal, immoral or improper activities" including the misuse of campaign funds.

Democrats practically went through the rotunda at that, particularly Washington's Warren ("Maggie") Magnuson. Noting that some of the Senators sponsoring the resolution were up for reelection, he snorted: "I am sure they do not run their campaigns on hot air. They might, but I feel certain they do not." Replied Williams: "The Senator from Washington has a great voice. But he reminds me of my favorite animal when I was a boy on the farm. I always refer to my good friend from Washington as 'Maggie.' That was the name I gave to my old friend on the farm — Maggie. He was a jackass." For a moment Maggie looked as if he had just been kicked by one. Finally he came back with a retort that was, at best, second best: "The Senator keeps some gabby old hens down there too, does he not?"

Shouting Match. The shouting match got worse the next day when the Senate met to consider Williams' resolution.

Majority Leader Mike Mansfield was on his feet, attacking the resolution for its "sly innuendo," when suddenly Case bolted from his seat. "Mr. President," he shouted to Teddy Kennedy, who was then in the chair, "a point of personal privilege!" Mansfield ignored him. Case, arms waving and face purpling, kept shouting. By now, Mansfield was getting pretty hot himself. "I do not yield the floor for any purpose!" he cried. For nearly 20 minutes, the two men yelled across the aisle at each other while Teddy and Parliamentarian Charles Watkins flipped frantically through the rule book. Not quite sure of what to do, Democrat Teddy repeatedly thumped his gavel and ordered Republican Case to sit down.* The Democrats then defeated the Williams resolution.

Virtually shamed into action by the G.O.P.'s prodding, the Rules Committee did begin studying an 18-page draft report on the Baker investigation prepared by its special counsel, Lennox McLendon of North Carolina. The report noted "the existence of a breeding ground of practices inimical to the public interest," offered three recommendations to Senators and Senate employees: 1) that there be "compulsory public disclosure" of their financial holdings; 2) that they be prohibited from associating with persons engaged in any business with the Government; and 3) that they be required to testify at the request of Senate committees. There was not much chance that the Senate would accept these recommendations.