September 2015 Auction Ends Thursday, September 24th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/24/2015
Handwritten notes by Richard Nixon as Vice President in 1958, providing a detailed look into what being a conservative meant to him. Note is from a collection of handwritten Nixon documents collected by Nixon's biographer and New York Herald Tribune political journalist Earl Mazo, who wrote, ''Richard Nixon: A Political and Personal Portrait''. Published in 1959, the book's source material was written near or before 1958 when Nixon was Vice President. In outline format, Nixon writes in part, ''We agree: we want 1) Progress - 2) Security against old age, sickness...3) Opportunity for individual enterprise / I emphasize the latter rather than former''. Under the headline ''Domestic - Conservative economically?'' Nixon writes, ''1) What about balanced budget - what do you mean'' underneath which he writes ''Favor it / Why?'' He answers, ''1) Cost of living (a major factor) 2) Solid base for progress''. He then writes, ''Are you a Conservative'', answering ''1) But because conservative is way to progress 2) Not to preserve status quo - but best way to progress''. He then writes ''Give examples: 1) Every time we want something...see if inds, local, state first can do it - 2) Fed steps in - 3) They say Fed first (schools, medicine, Power, Transport, jobs)''. Nixon concludes the portion under Domestic with ''I believe in Private rather than govt enterprise - 1) No place for govt? - 2) On contrary - Space, Social Security, Education''. Nixon concludes the note with ''Temptation = to go old way to govt - 1) Plans for everything 2) Be wonderful if man had ability...we are limited - 2) Best to have decision spread among as many as possible - But govt has planning, steadying stimulating formula (Set rules - control power of Business & Labor, Security...'' Fascinating document is written in pencil on yellow legal paper measuring 8'' x 12.5''. Very good to near fine, and more legible than Nixon's usual notes, ideal for framing.
Richard Nixon Handwritten Notes From 1958 -- Likely Notes From a Speech, With Arguments on Conservatism -- ''...I believe in Private rather than govt enterprise...Are you a Conservative...''
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