"Vote, Vote, Vote"

Last week the U.S. Senate put away the Bricker amendment and its less muscular cousin, the George amendment. Not since Little Eva has there been quite such a deathbed scene.

Senator Bricker's own brain child, an amendment to his original resolution, gave up the ghost quietly enough, but the protracted anguish came on the question of final Senate passage for a milder proposal that had been submitted by Georgia's Democratic Senator Walter George.

Senator William Knowland, who had tried for weeks to get a compromise acceptable to the Administration, left the majority leader's desk and moved three rows back. Said he: "I wish to make it very clear that what I say is not said as majority leader, but is said in my capacity as an individual Senator . . ." He would, he announced, vote for the George proposal, which the White House opposed. Knowland's abdication of leadership served clear notice, if any was needed, that all party discipline was off; it was, as usual, every Republican for himself.

"Vote, vote, vote!" cried impatient Senators as New York's Democratic Senator Herbert Lehman, wringing his hands, reproached Knowland for his stand. Twice, in his distress, Lehman wandered down the center aisle. Twice, flushed and angry, he was sent scooting back to his desk on points of order (Senate rules require speakers to remain by their desks). Muttered Lehman: "I shall be delighted to stand by my desk if that is the only argument that can be raised." Shouted other Senators: "Vote, vote, vote!"

"Mark My Words." Walter George, up for a last appeal, wept copiously as he traded emotional compliments with Republican Senator Bricker, who was in full support of the substitute. Said George: "Mark my words now, gentlemen, you are going to submit a constitutional amendment . . . You will do it now, or you will do it later."

Came the roll call, close and tense, with the possibility that Knowland's vote might make the difference. When the clerk finished reading the names, the tally was 57 ayes, 28 noes -the necessary two-thirds.

In straggled Nevada's Republican Senator George Malone to register a ringing aye. Then came Joe McCarthy (who is usually late for roll calls) and Florida's Democratic Senator George Smathers. Both were for the amendment. The count: 60 to 28 -still more than enough for passage. But two other latecomers, Pennsylvania's Republican Senator James Duff and Oklahoma's Democratic Senator Mike Monroney, arrived just in time to vote against the measure. That made it 60-30 -precisely two-thirds. Vice President Richard Nixon, presiding, took a long slow look around the chamber.

"How Am I Recorded?" Through the glass doors came West Virginia's Democratic Senator Harley Kilgore, who had been resting on a couch in his office all afternoon. In the second day of an influenza attack, Kilgore had been ordered by his doctor to go home, but he had insisted on staying around to vote. Sick, drowsy with medicine, Kilgore stared groggily at Nixon. Nixon stared back, waiting for some sign that Kilgore wanted to be recognized. Kilgore, who had been having dental trouble and was being fitted for a new plate, ran his tongue rhythmically over his gums. He said nothing. Nixon said nothing. The Senate sat,.gripped in silent suspense.

Washington's Democratic Senator Warren Magnuson jumped up. Asked he, in a time-delaying tactic: "Mr. President, how am I recorded voting?" The clerk studied the list and reported what everyone already knew -Magnuson was recorded against the resolution. The few seconds gave Kilgore the time he needed. He nodded at Nixon.

"The Senator from West Virginia," called Nixon.

"Mr. Kilgore," called the clerk.

Said Kilgore: "No."

Slowly and deliberately, Kilgore walked to a front-row seat. The clerk handed Nixon the final tally sheet. "On this roll call," said Nixon, "the yeas are 60. The nays are 31. Two-thirds of the Senators present not having voted in the affirmative, the joint resolution is rejected." Harley Kilgore got up, trudged off the floor and went home to his sickbed.

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