Richard M. Nixon- -Checkers-.doc

演讲稿 richard m. nixon: checkers richardm.nixon:checkersmyfellowamericans,iebeforeyoutonightasacandidateforthevicepresidencyandasamanwhosehonestyandintegrityhasbeenquestioned.now,theusualpoliticalthingtodowhenchargesaremadeagainstyouistoeitherignorethemortodenythemwithoutgivingdetails.ibelievewevehadenoughofthatintheunitedstates,particularlywiththepresentadministrationinwashington,d.c.tometheofficeofthevicepresidencyoftheunitedstatesisagreatoffice,andifeelthatthepeoplehavegottohaveconfidenceintheintegrityofthemenwhorunforthatofficeandwhomightobtainit.ihaveatheory,too,thatthebestandonlyanswertoasmearortoanhonestmisunderstandingofthefactsistotellthetruth.andthatswhyiamheretonight.iwanttotellyoumysideofthecase.imsurethatyouhavereadthecharge,andyouveheardit,thati,senatornixon,took$18,000fromagroupofmysupporters.now,wasthatwrong?andletmesaythatitwaswrong.iamsayingit,incidentally,thatitwaswrong,justnotillegal,becauseitisntaquestionofwhetheritwaslegalorillegal,thatisntenough.thequestionis,wasitmorallywrong?isaythatitwasmorallywrong-ifanyofthat$18,000wenttosenatornixon,formypersonaluse.isaythatitwasmorallywrongifitwassecretlygiven,andsecretlyhandled.andisaythatitwasmorallywrongifanyofthecontributorsgotspecialfavorsforthecontributionsthattheymade.andnowtoanswerthosequestionsletmesaythis:notonecentofthe$18,000oranyothermoneyofthattypeeverwenttomeformypersonaluse.everypennyofitwasusedtopayforpoliticalexpensesthatididnotthinkshouldbechargedtothetaxpayersoftheunitedstates.itwasnotasecretfund.asamatteroffact,wheniwasonmeetthepress-someofyoumayhaveseenitlastsunday-peteredsoncameuptomeaftertheprogram,andhesaid,dick,whataboutisfundwehearabout?andisaid,well,thereisnosecretaboutit.gooutandseedanasmithwhowastheadministratorofthefund.andigavehimedsonhissmithsaddress.andisaidyouwillfindthatthepurposeofthefundsimplywastodefraypoliticalexpensesthatididnotfeelshouldbechargedtothegovernment.andthird,letmepointout-andiwanttomakethisparticularlyclear-thatnocontributortothisfund,nocontributortoanyofmycampaigns,haseverreceivedanyconsiderationthathewouldnothavereceivedasanordinaryconstituent.ijustdontbelieveinthat,andicansaythatnever,whileihavebeeninthesenateoftheunitedstates,asfarasthepeoplethatcontributedtothisfundareconcerned,haveimadeatelephonecallforthemtoanagency,orhaveigonedowntoanagencyontheirbehalf.andtherecordswillshowthat,therecordswhichareinthehandsoftheadministration.well,then,someofyouwillsay,andrightly,well,whatdidyouusethefundfor,senator?whydidyouhavetohaveit?letmetellyouinjustawordhowasenateofficeoperates.firstofall,asenatorgets$15,000ayearinsalary.hegetsenoughmoneytopayforonetripayear,aroundtrip,thatis,forhimself,andhisfamilybetweenhishomeandwashington,d.c.andthenhegetsanallowancetohandlethepeoplethatworkinhisofficetohandlehismail.andtheallowanceformystateofcalifornia,isenoughtohire13people.andletmesay,incidentally,thatthatallowanceisnotpaidtothesenator.itispaiddirectlytotheindividualsthatthesenatorputsonhispayroll.butallofthesepeopleandalloftheseallowancesareforstrictlyofficialbusiness;business,forexample,whenaconstituentwritesinandwantsyoutogodowntotheveteransadministrationandgetsomeinformationabouthisgipolicy-itemsofthattype,forexample.butthereareotherexpensesthatarenotcoveredbythegovernment.andithinkicanbestdiscussthoseexpensesbyaskingyousomequestions.doyouthinkthatwhenioranyothersenatormakesapoliticalspeech,hasitprinted,shouldchargetheprintingofthatspeechandthemailingofthatspeechtothetaxpayers?doyouthink,forexample,whenioranyothersenatormakesatriptohishomestatetomakeapurelypoliticalspeechthatthecostofthattripshouldbechargedtothetaxpayers?doyouthinkwhenasenatormakespoliticalbroadcastsorpoliticaltelevisionbroadcasts,radioortelevision,thattheexpenseofthosebroadcastsshouldbechargedtothetaxpayers?welliknowwhatyouransweris.itsthesameanswerthataudiencesgivemewheneveridiscussthisparticularproblem:theanswerisno.thetaxpayersshouldntberequiredtofinanceitemswhicharenotofficialbusinessbutwhichareprimarilypoliticalbusiness.well,thenthequestionarises,yousay,well,howdoyoupayfortheseandhowcanyoudoitlegally?andthereareseveralwaysthatitcanbedone,incidentally,anditisdonelegallyintheunitedstatessenateandinthecongress.thefirstwayistobearichman.idonthappentobearichman,soicouldntusethatone.anotherwaythatisusedistoputyourwifeonthepayroll.letmesay,incidentally,thatmyopponent,myoppositenumberforthevicepresidencyonthedemocraticticket,doeshavehiswifeonthepayrollandhashadheronhispayrollforthepasttenyears.nowletmejustsaythis:thathisbusiness,andimnotcriticalofhimfordoingthat.youwillhavetopassjudgmentonthatparticularpoint.butihaveneverdonethatforthisreason:ihavefoundthattherearesomanydeservingstenographersandsecretariesinwashingtonthatneededtheworkthatijustdidntfeelitwasrighttoputmywifeonthepayroll.mywifessittingoverhere.sheisawonderfulstenographer.sheusedtoteachstenographyandsheusedtoteachshorthandinhighschool.thatwaswhenimether.andicantellyoufolksthatshesworkedmanyhoursatnightandmanyhoursonsaturdaysandsundaysinmyoffice,andshesdoneafinejob,andiamproudtosaytonightthatinthesixyearsihavebeeninthehouseandthesenateoftheunitedstates,patnixonhasneverbeenonthegovernmentpayroll.whatareotherwaysthatthesefinancescanbetakencareof?somewhoarelawyers,andihappentobealawyer,continuetopracticelaw,butihaventbeenabletodothat.iamsofarawayfromcaliforniathatihavebeensobusywithmysenatorialworkthatihavenotengagedinanylegalpractice,and,also,asfaraslawpracticeisconcerned,itseemedtomethattherelationshipbetweenanattorneyandtheclientwassopersonalthatyoucouldntpossiblyrepresentamanasanattorneyandthenhaveanunbiasedviewwhenhepresentedhiscasetoyouintheeventthathehadonebeforegovernment.andsoifeltthatthebestwaytohandlethesenecessarypoliticalexpensesofgettingmymessagetotheamericanpeopleandthespeechesimade-thespeechesihadprintedforthemostpartconcernedthisonemessageofexposingthisadministration,thecommunisminit,thecorruptioninit-theonlywaythaticoulddothatwastoaccepttheaidwhichpeopleinmyhomestateofcalifornia,whocontributedtomycampaignandwhocontinuedtomakethesecontributionsafteriwaselected,weregladtomake.andletmesayiamproudofthefactthatnotoneofthemhaseveraskedmeforaspecialfavor.iamproudofthefactthatnotoneofthemhaseveraskedmetovoteonabillotherthanmyownconsciencewoulddictate.andiamproudofthefactthatthetaxpayersbysubterfugeorotherwisehaveneverpaidonedimeforexpenseswhichithoughtwerepoliticalandshouldntbechargedtothetaxpayers.letmesay,incidentally,thatsomeofyoumaysay,well,thatisallright,senator,thatsyourexplanation,buthaveyougotanyproof?andidliketotellyouthiseveningthatjustanhouragowereceivedanindependentauditofthisentirefund.isuggestedtogovernorshermanadams,whoisthechiefofstaffofthedwighteisenhowercampaign,thatanindependentauditandlegalreportbeobtained,andihavethatauditinmyhands.itsanauditmadebythepricewaterhouse#thatsenatornixondidnotviolateanyfederalorstatelawbyreasonoftheoperationofthefund;andthatneithertheportionofthefundpaidbydanasmithdirectlytothirdpersons,northeportionpaidtosenatornixon,toreimbursehimfordesignatedofficeexpenses,constitutedinetothesenatorwhichwaseitherreportableortaxableasineunderapplicabletaxlaws.(signed)gibson,dunn,&crutcher,byelmoh.conleynowthat,myfriends,isnotnixonspeaking,butthatsanindependentauditwhichwasrequested,becauseiwanttheamericanpeopletoknowallthefacts,andiamnotafraidofhavingindependentpeoplegoinandcheckthefacts,andthatisexactlywhattheydid.butthenirealizedthattherearestillsomewhomaysay,andrightlyso-andletmesaythatirecognizethatsomewillcontinuetosmearregardlessofwhatthetruthmaybe-butthattherehasbeenunderstandably,somehonestmisunderstandingonthismatter,andtherearesomethatwillsay,well,maybeyouwereable,senator,tofakethething.howcanwebelievewhatyousay?afterall,isthereapossibilitythatmaybeyougotsomesumsincash?isthereapossibilitythatyoumighthavefeatheredyourownnest?andsonow,thatiamgoingtodo-andincidentallythisisunprecedentedinthehistoryofamericanpolitics-iamgoingatthistimetogivetothistelevisionandradioaudience,apletefinancialhistory,everythingiveearned,everythingivespent,everythingiown.andiwantyoutoknowthefacts.illhavetostartearly.iwasbornin1913.ourfamilywasoneofmodestcircumstances,andmostofmyearlylifewasspentinastoreoutineastwhittier.itwasagrocerystore,oneofthosefamilyenterprises.theonlyreasonwewereabletomakeitgowasbecausemymotheranddadhadfiveboys,andweallworkedinthestore.iworkedmywaythroughcollege,and,toagreatextent,throughlawschool.andthenin1940,probablythebestthingthateverhappenedtomehappened.imarriedpatwhoissittingoverhere.wehadaratherdifficulttimeafterweweremarried,likesomanyoftheyoungcoupleswhomaybelisteningtous.ipracticedlaw.shecontinuedtoteachschool.then,in1942,iwentintotheservice.letmesaythatmyservicerecordwasnotaparticularlyunusualone.iwenttothesouthpacific.iguessimentitledtoacoupleofbattlestars.igotacoupleoflettersofmendation.butiwasjusttherewhenthebombswerefalling.andthenireturned-returnedtotheunitedstates,andin1946,iranforthecongress.whenwecameoutofthewar-patandi-patduringthewarhadworkedasastenographer,andinabank,andasaneconomistforagovernmentagency-andwhenwecameout,thetotalofoursavings,frombothmylawpractice,herteachingandallthetimeiwasinthewar,thetotalforthatentireperiodwasjustalittlelessthan$10,000-everycentofthat,incidentally,wasingovernmentbonds.wellthatswherewestart,whenigointopolitics.now,whathaveiearnedsinceiwentintopolitics?well,hereitis.ivejotteditdown.letmereadthenotes.firstofall,ihavehadmysalaryasacongressmanandasasenator.second,ihavereceivedatotalinthispastsixyearsof$1,600fromestateswhichwereinmylawfirmatthetimethatiseveredmyconnectionwithit.and,incidentally,asisaidbefore,ihavenotengagedinanylegalpracticeandhavenotacceptedanyfeesfrombusinessthatcameintothefirmafteriwentintopolitics.ihavemadeanaverageofapproximately$1,500ayearfromnonpoliticalspeakingengagementsandlectures.andthen,fortunately,wehaveinheritedlittlemoney.patsoldherinterestinherfathersestatefor$3,000,andiinherited$1,500frommygrandfather.welivedrathermodestly.forfouryearswelivedinanapartmentinparkfairfax,inalexandriavirginia.therentwas$80.00amonth.andwesavedforthetimethatwecouldbuyahouse.now,thatwaswhatwetookin.whatdidwedowiththismoney?whatdowehavetodaytoshowforit?thiswillsurpriseyoubecauseitissolittle,isuppose,asstandardsgenerallygoofpeopleinpubliclife.firstofall,wevegotahouseinwashington,whichcost$41,000andonwhichweowe$20,000.wehaveahouseinwhittier,californiawhichcost$13,000andonwhichweowe$3,000.myfolksarelivingthereatthepresenttime.ihavejust$4,000inlifeinsurance,plusmygipolicywhichiveneverbeenabletoconvert,andwhichwillrunoutintwoyears.ihavenolifeinsurancewhateveronpat.ihavenolifeinsuranceonourtwoyoungsterstriciaandjulie.iowna1950oldsmobilecar.wehaveourfurniture.wehavenostocksandbondsofanytype.wehavenointerestofanykind,directorindirect,inanybusiness.now,thatswhatwehave.whatdoweowe?wellinadditiontothemortgage,the$20,000mortgageonthehouseinwashington,the$10,000oneonthehouseinwhittier,iowe$4500totheriggsbankinwashington,d.c.,withinterest4and1/2percent.iowe$3,500tomyparents,andtheinterestonthatloan,whichipayregularly,becauseitsapartofthesavingstheymadethroughtheyearstheywereworkingsohard-ipayregularly4percentinterest.andthenihavea$500loan,whichihaveonmylifeinsurance.well,thatsaboutit.thatswhatwehave.andthatswhatweowe.itisntverymuch.butpatandihavethesatisfactionthateverydimethatwevegotishonestlyours.ishouldsaythis,thatpatdoesnthaveaminkcoat.butshedoeshavearespectablerepublicanclothcoat,andialwaystellhershedlookgoodinanything. oneotherthingiprobablyshouldtellyou,becauseifidonttheyllprobablybesayingthisaboutme,too.wedidgetsomething,agift,aftertheelection.amandownintexasheardpatontheradiomentionthefactthatourtwoyoungsterswouldliketohaveadog.andbelieveitornot,thedaybeforeweleftonthiscampaigntripwegotamessagefromunionstationinbaltimore,sayingtheyhadapackageforus.wewentdowntogetit.youknowwhatitwas?itwasalittlecockerspanieldog,inacratethathehadsentallthewayfromtexas,blackandwhite,spotted,andourlittlegirltricia,thesixyearold,nameditcheckers.andyouknow,thekids,likeallkids,lovethedog,andijustwanttosaythis,rightnow,thatregardlessofwhattheysayaboutit,weregonnakeepit.itisnteasytoebeforeanationwideaudienceandbareyourlife,asivedone.butiwanttosaysomethingsbeforeiconclude,thatithinkmostofyouwillagreeon.mr.mitchell,thechairmanofthedemocraticnationalcommittee,madethisstatementthatifamancouldntaffordtobeintheunitedstatessenate,heshouldntrunforthesenate.andijustwanttomakemypositionclear.idontagreewithmr.mitchellwhenhesaysthatonlyarichmanshouldservehisgovernmentintheunitedstatessenateorinthecongress.idontbelievethatrepresentsthethinkingofthedemocraticparty,andiknowthatitdoesntrepresentthethinkingoftherepublicanparty.ibelievethatitsfinethatamanlikegovernorstevenson,whoinheritedafortunefromhisfather,canrunforpresident.butialsofeelthatitsessentialinthiscountryofoursthatamanofmodestmeanscanalsorunforpresident,because,youknow,rememberabrahamlincoln,yourememberwhathesaid:godmusthavelovedthemonpeople-hemadesomanyofthem.andnowimgoingtosuggestsomecoursesofconduct.firstofall,youhavereadinthepapersaboutotherfunds,now,mr.stevensonapparentlyhadacouple.oneoftheminwhichagroupofbusinesspeoplepaidandhelpedtosupplementthesalariesofstateemployees.hereiswherethemoneywentdirectlyintotheirpockets,andithinkthatwhatmr.stevensonshoulddoshouldbetoebeforetheamericanpeople,asihave,givethenamesofthepeoplethatcontributedtothatfund,givethenamesofthepeoplewhoputthismoneyintotheirpocketsatthesametimethattheywerereceivingmoneyfromtheirstategovernmentandseewhatfavors,ifany,theygaveoutforthat.idontcondemnmr.stevensonforwhathedid,butuntilthefactsareinthereisadoubtthatwillberaised.andasfarasmr.sparkmanisconcerned,iwouldsuggestthesamething.heshadhiswifeonthepayroll.idontcondemnhimforthat,butithinkthatheshouldebeforetheamericanpeopleandindicatewhatoutsidesourcesofinehehashad.iwouldsuggestthatunderthecircumstancesbothmr.sparkmanandmr.stevensonshouldebeforetheamericanpeople,asihave,andmakeapletefinancialstatementastotheirfinancialhistory,andiftheydontitwillbeanadmissionthattheyhavesomethingtohide.andithinkyouwillagreewithme-because,folks,remember,amanthatstobepresidentoftheunitedstates,amanthatstobevicepresidentoftheunitedstates,musthavetheconfidenceofallthepeople.andthatswhyimdoingwhatimdoing.andthatswhyisuggestthatmr.stevensonandmr.sparkman,sincetheyareunderattack,shoulddowhattheyredoing.nowletmesaythis:iknowthatthisisnotthelastofthesmears.inspiteofmyexplanationtonight,othersmearswillbemade.othershavebeenmadeinthepast.andthepurposeofthesmears,iknow,isthis,tosilenceme,tomakemeletup.well,theyjustdontknowwhotheyredealingwith.imgoingtotellyouthis:irememberinthedarkdaysofthehisscasesomeofthesamecolumnists,someofthesameradiomentatorswhoareattackingmenowandmisrepresentingmyposition,wereviolentlyopposingmeatthetimeiwasafteralgerhiss.buticontinuedtofightbecauseiknewiwasright,andicansaytothisgreattelevisionandradioaudiencethatihavenoapologiestotheamericanpeopleformypartinputtingalgerhisswhereheistoday.andasfarasthisisconcerned,iintendtocontinuetofight.whydoifeelsodeeply?whydoifeelthatinspiteofthesmears,themisunderstanding,thenecessityforamantoeuphereandbarehissoulasihave?whyisitnecessaryformetocontinuethisfight?andiwanttotellyouwhy.because,yousee,ilovemycountry.andithinkmycountryisindanger.andithinktheonlymanthatcansaveamericaatthistimeisthemanthatsrunningforpresident,onmyticket-dwighteisenhower.yousay,whydoithinkitisindanger?andisay,lookattherecord.sevenyearsofthetruman-achesonadministration,andwhatshappened?sixhundredmillionpeoplelosttocommunists.andawarinkoreainwhichwehavelost117,000americancasualties,andisaytoallofyouthatapolicythatresultsinthelossof600millionpeopletothecommunists,andawarthatcostus117,000americancasualtiesisntgoodenoughforamerica.andisaythatthoseinthestatedepartmentthatmadethemistakeswhichcausedthatwarandwhichresultedinthoselossesshouldbekickedoutofthestatedepartmentjustasfastaswegetthemoutofthere.andletmesaythatiknowmr.stevensonwontdothatbecausehedefendsthetrumanpolicy,andiknowthatdwighteisenhowerwilldothat,andthathewillgiveamericatheleadershipthatitneeds.taketheproblemofcorruption.youvereadaboutthemessinwashington.mr.stevensoncantcleanitupbecausehewaspickedbytheman,truman,underwhoseadministrationthemesswasmade.youwouldnttrustthemanwhomadethemesstocleanitup.thatstruman.andbythesametokenyoucanttrustthemanwhowaspickedbythemanwhomadethemesstocleanitupandthatsstevenson.andsoisay,eisenhower,whoowesnothingtotruman,nothingtothebigcitybosses-heisthemanthatcancleanupthemessinwashington.takecommunism.isaythatasfarasthatsubjectisconcernedthedangerisgreattoamerica.inthehisscasetheygotthesecretswhichenabledthemtobreaktheamericansecretstatedepartmentcode.theygotsecretsintheatomicbombcasewhichenabledthemtogetthesecretoftheatomicbombfiveyearsbeforetheywouldhavegottenitbytheirowndevices.andisaythatanymanwhocalledthealgerhisscasearedherringisntfittobepresidentoftheunitedstates.isaythatamanwho,likemr.stevenson,haspooh-poohedandridiculedthecommunistthreatintheunitedstates-hesaidthattheyarephantomsamongourselves.hehasaccusedusthathaveattemptedtoexposethecommunists,oflookingforcommunistsinthebureauoffisheriesandwildlife.isaythatamanwhosaysthatisntqualifiedtobepresidentoftheunitedstates.andisaythattheonlymanwhocanleadusinthisfighttoridthegovernmentofboththosewhoarecommunistsandthosewhohavecorruptedthisgovernmentiseisenhower,becauseeisenhower,youcanbesure,recognizestheproblem,andheknowshowtodealwithit.nowletmethatfinally,thisevening,iwanttoreadtoyoujustbrieflyexcerptsfromaletterwhichireceived,aletterwhichafterallthisisovernoonecantakeawayfromus.itreadsasfollows:dearsenato