The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1963-09-10

tiny than it has got from the
general public - and with very
good reason.
Behind the politicians intense
absorption is an acute aware
ness that this ballot is the latest
manifestation of the steadily
widening schism that has devel-
oped between the President and
the big Democratic nlajorities
in Congress = 81 to SO Repub-
licans in the Senate, 258 to III
in the House.
Primary cause Of this momen-
tous breach is a deep seat
ed sense or disenchantment with
the President and pronounced
dlsapproval of his younger broth
er, Attorney General Robert
Kennedy.
One of the most significant
characteristics of this daWdling
Congress is the complete alb
sence Of any personal liking for
the Kennedy brothers, coupled
with a widespread undercurrent
OF big and little grievances and
complaints against them.
Even among the most consist
ent supporters of the President S
legislative measures, no word Of
personal regard for him is ever
heard. Democrats themselves
comment about that. as they do
about the undisguised animosity
toward Bobby. While the feeling
toward the President has not
reached the point of outright
rancor, it is one Of strong cen
sure and disagreement.
Toward Bobby. the attitude is
far more critical and vehement
In his case, it verges on bitter
enmity and aversion. He is dis
trusted feared, resented and
disliked.
Inevitably, this extraordinary
personal situation directly and
profoundly affects legislative ac-
ton.
THE EFFECTs-In a large
measure. this backstage factor
accounts for the endlessly pro
tracted session. the President s
repeated defeats OF hairbraadtf
escapes on major bills, and the
incessant rewriting and water
lng down of his proposals that
are finally enacted.
Congress just does not like the
kennedys. and that is as true OF
the Democrats as Republicans
in many instances even more
so. The Democrats know then,
better.
That is why l6 Democratic
senators approximately Is PEI
cent voted against his proposed
domestic peace corps, among
them such party stalwarts as
Clair Engle, Calf, Albert Gore
Tenn, Stephen Young, Ohio-al
incidentally, facing tough re
election campaigns next year.
That also is why Senator'S Gore
and Clinton Anderson, OHM
stofmed angrily a. closed dooi
meeting of the Finance Commit
tee against continuing the tenn
porary 5000 billion national deb
ceiling. The House has APPROX
ed this and the Senate is to ac1
on it. After some caus.ic crit
clsm Of the President fisca
policies, the Finance Committee
went along but with ummis
taxable reluctance.
It's an open secret that the
chairman and three other Dem
ocrats on this committee are
against the Presidents tax-cut
ting bill. Senator Harry Byrd
Va, chairman Anderson, Gore
and Russell Long, La. have
strong misgivings about it.
Byrd feels so strongly that he
has already notified the Presi
dent he will not handle the meas
ure on the Senate floor - i.
and when it gets there. AS com
mlttee chairman, that Woulc
normally be his responsibility
but he frankly wants none Of it
Long, next in rank. is taking
the same attitude. He also has
declined to assume charge OF the
bill.
That will leave it up to Sena
tor George Smathers. D-Fla., tc
be the administrations floor
manager. While he generally
favors the tax-cutting proposal
he is making no bones it nov
doesn't have the votes to gel
out Of the Finance Commute
The undercover rancor against
the Kennedys has much to dc
with this.
AS one influential Democratic
senator told this column, II am
no longer running on the Presi-
dents coat-tails. / was earlier,
but not now. Now / am running
strictly on my own record. The
way things are shaping up, 1864
may be repetition of 1913
when Truman was reelected
chiefly because Of the strength
OF state and congressional Dem
ocratic candidates who pulled
him through in their bailiwicks. -
And a veteran House leader
remarked, THE basic trouble
with the Kennedys is that every
thing thew do is nOlitica1Iv M.