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Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Harold Baker
Tape Part 1 Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities May 17,1973. Opening statement from Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Harold Baker (R - Tennessee). Senate Caucus Room, Washington DC
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Harold Baker
Senate Committee Chairman, Senator Sam Ervin (D -North Carolina). Also, I'd like to recognize at this time, the other senators so they may present their statements. And first I recognize the Vice Chairman Senator Harold Baker, who has been most alert and most cooperative in the work of the Committee. Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Harold Baker (R - Tennessee). Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. I believe there is no need for me to further emphasize the gravity of the matters that we begin to explore publicly here this morning. Suffisant to say that there are most serious charges and allegations made against individuals and against institutions. The very integrity of our political process itself has been called into question.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Harold Baker
Commensurate with the subject matter under review and the responsibility of the Committee and the witnesses who come before it, we have a great burden to discharge and carry. This Committee is not a court nor is it a jury. We do not sit to pass judgment on the guilt or innocence of anyone. The greatest service that this Committee can perform for the Senate, for the Congress and for the People of this Nation is to achieve a full discovery of all of the facts that bear on the subject of this inquiry. This Committee was created by the Senate to do exactly that - to find as many of the facts, the circumstances and the relationships as we can, to assemble those facts into a coherent and intelligible presentation and to make recommendations to the Congress for any changes in statute law or the basic charter document of the United States that may seem indicated.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Harold Baker
But this Committee can serve another quite important function that neither a Grand Jury investigation or a judicial proceeding is equipped to serve - and that is to develop the facts in full view of all the People of America. Although juries will determine the guilt or innocence of all persons who have been and may be indicted for specific violations of law, it is the American People who must be the final judge of Watergate. It is the American People who must decide based on the evidence spread before them what Watergate means and how we all should conduct our public business in the future.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Harold Baker
When the resolution which created this Committee was being debated on the Floor in February of this year, I and other Republican Senators, expressed concern the enquiry might become a partisan effort by one party to exploit the temporary vulnerability of another. Other Congressional enquiries in the past have been conducted by Committees made up of equal numbers of members of each party. I offered an amendment to the Resolution which would have given the Republicans members equal representation on this Committee. And that amendment did not pass. But any doubts that I might have had about the fairness and impartiality of this investigation, have been swept away during the last few weeks. Virtually every action taken by this Committee, its members, and staff, since its inception have been taken with complete unanimity of purpose and procedure. The integrity and fairness of each member of this Committee and its fine professional staff have been made manifest to me and I know they will be made manifest to the American People during the course of these proceedings. This is not in any way a partisan undertaking. But rather it is a bipartisan search for the unvarnished truth.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Harold Baker
I would like to close, Mr. Chairman, with a few thoughts on the political process itself in this country. There has been a great deal of discussion in the nation in recent weeks on the impact that Watergate might have on the President, the office of the Presidency, the Congress, on our ability to carry on relations with other countries and so on. The Constitutional institutions of this country are so strong and are so resilient that I have never doubted for a moment their ability to function without interruption. On the contrary, it seems clear to me, the very fact that we are now involved in the public process of cleaning our own house, before the eyes of the world is a mark of the greatest political strength. I do not believe that any other political system could endure the thoroughness and veracities of the various enquiries now underway within the branches of government and our courageous, tenacious free press.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Harold Baker
No mention is made in our Constitution of political parties. But the two party system, in my judgment, is an integral, and an important part of our form of government and as important as the three formal branches of the central government themselves. Millions of Americans participated actively on one level or another and with great enthusiasm in the Presidential and other elections in 1972. Their involvement in the political process across the land is essential to participatory democracy. If one of the effects of Watergate is public disillusionment with partisan politics, if people are turned off and drop out of the political system that would be the greatest Watergate casualty of all. If on the other hand, this national catharsis in which we are now engaged should result in a new and better way of doing political business, if Watergate produces changes in laws and campaign procedures, then Watergate may prove to be a great national opportunity to revitalize the political process and to involve even more Americans in the day to day work of our great political parties.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Harold Baker
I am deeply encouraged by the fact that I find no evidence at this point and time of to indicate that either the Democratic National Committee or the Republican National Committee played any role in whatever may have gone wrong in 1972. The hundreds of seasoned professional politicians across the country and the millions of people who devoted their time and energies to the campaign, should not feel implicated or let down by what has taken place. With these thoughts in mind, I intend to pursue, as I know each member of this Committee intends to pursue, an objective and even-handed, but thorough, complete, and energetic enquiry into the files. We will enquire into every fact and follow every lead unrestrained by any fear of where that lead might ultimately take us.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Harold Baker
Mr. Chairman, my thanks to you for the great leadership you have brought to this Committee in its preparatory phases. My thanks to Mr. Dash who has served with distinction as Chief Counsel for the Committee. And Mr. Thompson who serves as Minority Counsel to the Committee. I believe we are fully prepared to proceed with the business of discovering the facts.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Herman Talmadge
Tape Part 1 Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities May 17,1973. Opening statement from Senator Herman Talmadge (D - Georgia). Senate Caucus Room, Washington DC Senate Committee Chairman, Senator Sam Ervin (D -North Carolina). Senator Talmadge, do you have a Statement? Senator Herman Talmadge (D - Georgia). Mister Chairman this committee was created by the United States Senate by unanimous vote for the purpose of investigating any election irregularities during the 1972 campaign. The vote of the Senate was non-partisan being unanimous. This committee has been organized on a non-partisan basis. Its staff is operating on a non-partisan basis. Every vote that this committee has cast to date has been non-partisan. In my judgment, this committee must get facts, the full facts, all of the facts on a totally objective non-partisan basis and let the chips fall where they may. I am confident that this committee will do so.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Ed Gurney
Tape Part 1 Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities May 17,1973. Opening statement from Senator Ed Gurney (R - Florida). Senate Caucus Room, Washington DC
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Ed Gurney
Senator Ed Gurney (R - Florida). Thank you, Mister Chairman. This committee begins today historic hearings. They may well turn out to be the most significant hearings ever conducted by any committee of the Congress. This fact should weigh heavily upon the work of both the Senators and the staff. The eyes and ears of the citizens of this nation are watching and listening. And so too are people around the world. Here at home there is desire that the wrong-doing be thoroughly exposed and the wrong-doers brought to justice. This is being done now. Already in recent weeks, fifteen key people have left this administration because of Watergate and allied scandals. Several have been indicted, two of these are former high cabinet officers. We can all take heart that our system of government is working and working well. And rapidly now even though a slow and faltering start was made in the beginning. Between the work of prosecutors, grand juries and excellent investigative reporting and this committee, Watergate is going to be cleaned up.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Ed Gurney
However, there is another great overriding issue which will be present with us in these hearings. An issue which is troubling people not only all over this nation, but also people and leaders of other nations around the world. What will Watergate do? And what will these hearings do to the office and institution of the Presidency? That is the question that is upper most in people s minds and gnawing away in the pits of their stomachs. What is of great concern is the affect that Watergate may have on the American presidency. I see this concern in daily mail I receive. I hear this concern in my conversations with people. It is evident in the media reaction at home and abroad. The signs are in the stock market, in the price of gold and dollars. This concern is part and parson of foreign policy. In NATO, Southeast Asia, Middle East and its oil and in the trade in the SALT talks. The absence of comment from seats of government that power throughout the world brings to mind the old saying Don t rock the boat lest it capsize. And I think this is indicative of the international concern. Why is this? The world is intertwined today. Interdependent. No one nation can go it alone. Indeed, to a more or less degree we are in the same boat. Thus, the rocking of the boat by Watergate its catastrophic effect upon the institution of the Presidency is in indeed the object of serious concern of everyone. At home and abroad.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Ed Gurney
What then must we do here in this committee room in the ensuing weeks? Someone once said and I quote, The present is great for the future. Close quote. And so it will be in these hearings. The future cannot be unaffected by what we say and do in this room. It becomes imperative that this committee and the committee staff and the press and public alike be continually aware that the Committee s task is to investigate and to present the facts of the investigation fairly. This committee was not created to try any individual. It was not created to pass judgment on any individual. Our purpose is to seek the truth. And our methods and motives must never be suspect or we will fail in our task.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Ed Gurney
A sense of history certainly rides with these hearings. And this thought, should guide our work to the end that it is thorough, yes completely thorough. But always careful, deliberate, responsible, statesman-like to the end, that the system of government and justice with the free and democratic society of these United States will work its well in a fair, impartial and objective manner. By doing that the committee hopefully can make its greatest contribution. And that is regardless of the consequences, to reaffirm, to reassure to reestablish the faith of the people in their government and its leaders.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Daniel Inouye
Tape Part 1 Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities May 17,1973. Opening statement from Senator Daniel Inouye (D - Hawaii). Senate Caucus Room, Washington DC Senate Committee Chairman, Senator Sam Ervin (D -North Carolina). Senator Inouye. Senator Daniel Inouye (D - Hawaii). Mr. Chairman, the hearings which we begin today may be the most important held in this century. At stake is the very integrity of the election process. Unless we can safeguard that process from fraud, manipulation, deception and other illegal or unethical activities, one of our most precious rights, the right to vote will be without meaning. Democracy will have been subverted. Mr. Chairman as I see it, our mission is twofold. First, to thoroughly investigate all allegations of improper activities in the 1972 presidential election so that the full truth will be known. And second, to take steps to prevent future occurrences of such activities. Our efforts should not be directed towards punishing the guilty, judicial processes without aim are underway in at least four cities, but to incite a nationwide public debate on our elections, and how they work or fail to work. Like most Americans, I ve been truly shocked by the revelations and allegations of this scandal which is unparalleled in our country s history. The sins of the spies and the saboteurs, the manipulators and the moneymen, the burglars and the buggers must be purged from the very heart and soul of our election processes. Mr. Chairman I must add a word of caution. We have heard many sensational charges in the past several months and undoubtedly we will hear many more in the weeks and months ahead. It is vital that hasty judgments not be made before we have all the facts. This country will be ill served by another period of McCarthyism. These hearings should serve to enlighten and to reform. They should lay the groundwork for reaffirmation of faith in our American system.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.
Tape Part 1 Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities May 17,1973. Opening statement from Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. (R - Connecticut). Senate Caucus Room, Washington DC Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. (R - Connecticut). Mr. Chairman, Members of the committee. The gut question before this committee is not one of individual guilt or innocence. The gut question for committee and country alike is and was how much truth do we want? A few men gambled that Americans wanted the quiet of efficiency rather than the turbulence of truth. And they were stopped a yard short of the goal by another few who believed in America as advertised. So the story to come has its significance not in the acts of men breaking, entering, and bugging the Watergate, but in acts of men who almost, who almost stole America.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities - Opening statement from Senator Joseph Montoya
Tape Part 1 Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities May 17,1973. Opening statement from Senator Joseph Montoya (D - New Mexico). Senate Caucus Room, Washington DC Senator Joseph Montoya (D - New Mexico). Thank you Mr. Chairman. Briefly, I want to say that we bare a heavy responsibility to conduct this inquiry fairly, justly, and most judiciously. I am confident that we will pass this test and assume this challenge. While our legislative inquiry is different from a court proceeding, I know that we will be respectful of the rights of individuals. But at the same time we will be intent of searching out the truth of all evidentiary components, which ostensibly have posed a threat to our Constitutional processes, in particular our concept of freedom and our electoral process. With these facts we hope to alert the conscience and the vigilance of our citizenry and restore their faith in our electoral process. We hope that this concern of all Americans will harbor over all of us as a mandate for legislation and other remedies to insure against any future sinister invasions of the sanctity of our democratic institutions.
The Bluebell Girls - "Dancing" - French Scopitone
The Bluebell Girls - "Dancing" - French Scopitone GV/MS girls in tight red & black cabaret (showgirl) style dresses rhythmically walking while snapping fingers. GV cabaret girls dancing as male singer enters, wearing a magician style cape & hat, the two are removed to reveal the pink suit coat he is wearing underneath. GV/CU cuts of singer & dancers. Costume change, showgirls are now dressed in tight purple dresses while performing typical 1960s dance moves. GV/MS cuts of singer & dancers. MS singer seated at the bar as the surrounding women offer him a cigarette, flower & alcoholic drink, but he refuses them all, a fourth walks into frame carrying the man s cape & hat. This is followed by a slew of more singing, dancing, costume changes & racy leg shots. Scene closes with MCU of woman with heavily black lined eyelids & lashes smelling a flower.
Les Ballets Africains - Scopitone
Les Ballets Africains - Scopitone This Scopitone, a predecessor to the music video, features the Les Ballets Africains troop performing a high energy number filled with African drumming & dancing.
Elderly Man Playing Banjo
Elderly Man Playing Banjo - Library of Congress Field Documentation MS elderly Caucasian man seated outside of rural home playing a banjo, sleeping dog lies beside him on the porch.
Man Playing Banjo
Man Playing Banjo - Library of Congress Field Documentation MS young Caucasian man seated on front porch playing a banjo, woman stands behind him. Nice MCUs man playing banjo & singing, good view of finger work. MS young man seated on front porch playing a banjo, woman stands behind him, pan way from the house to show the industrial factory directly across the street.