Senator KEFAUVER. And what is the date of the telegram fromMr. IRWIN. This wire is dated-well, there is a stamp date here. I can't recognize it in the wire itself. 3:44 p.m., eastern daylight time, July 5, 1961.

Senator KEFAUVER. As I understand it, then, the wire that you got back you didn't keep

Mr. IRWIN. Oh, yes. These are copies of wires which I sent. I asked the telegraph office to provide me with copies of the wires which I had sent. I have no copy.

Senator KEFAUVER. I thought you said you sent them to all the Republican electors.

Mr. IRWIN. That I did, sir. All of the Republican electors in the States which went Republican.

Senator KEFAUVER. Yes.

Mr. IRWIN. I sent copies to each. The telegraph office destroyed those records. I have no copies. This is in essence, as I have just read, the contents. The contents as I recall are as I have read. Senator KEFAUVER. All right, sir. You may proceed.

Mr. IRWIN. "All replies in strict confidence."

I have attempted to get copies of this wire and other wires and I have been advised by the telegraph office as follows:

Retel. destroyed.

Sorry we only keep records 6 months.

These messages have been WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH CO.

From these replies to this last wire to the electors, which was approximately 25 percent, I projected the possibility of Republican support of the coalition in the college. I was amazed at the replies in several respects, but mainly at the ignorance of the electors as pertained to their constitutional duty.

Since I advised that these replies would be in confidence, I beg the committee to permit me to read some of the replies I received without identifying the author or the State of origin.

Senator KEFAUVER. For the time being, read some of the telegrams and we will make a further ruling about them as to whether you will identify the names.

Mr. IRWIN. These are telegrams received from electors who had previously received my wire.

Feel obligated Nixon. However, if genuine possibility exists, would consider coalition although this not pledge.

Would consider ticket of Goldwater for President Byrd for Vice President anything further contact me.

Senator KEFAUVER. At least give us the State.

Mr. IRWIN. The first wire was from the State of Kansas. The second wire was from the State of Indiana.

From the State of Utah:

Retel Byrd and Goldwater too conservative but would consider Byrd and Nixon.

Honolulu:

Oppose move which could be opening wedge for creating parties to be known as liberals and conservatives respectively and result in extinction of Republican Party as it is now known.

State of Illinois, which was in question at the moment:
Would approve Byrd and Goldwater if you get opportunity.
Senator KEFAUVER. If you get opportunity? What?

Mr. IRWIN. It says, "if you get opportunity." The wire would have to speak for itself.

Would approve Byrd and Goldwater if you get opportunity.

He might have meant if I get opportunity, which I am inclined to believe he did mean.

From Illinois:

Admire each person named by you. Am favorably inclined to agree to suggestion subject to law and consultation with other electors.

From California:

If no possible chance for Nixon-Lodge I will definite consider coalition ticket Goldwater and Byrd or Goldwater and Shivers.

From South Dakota:

As South Dakota elector am interested in your proposed coalition ticket namely Byrd and Goldwater if you have sufficient Democrat electors to go along. They all don't read as positively as that. I shall continue if you wish, or as you wish.

Senator KEFAUVER. Well, go ahead. Read them all.

Mr. IRWIN. Iowa:

Iowa rep delegates meet December 18 and I would not make any commitments until that time.

Ohio:

I am pledged to Nixon and will vote for him.

Utah:

Retel morally committed to vote Nixon appreciate your interest good luck.

I have a telephone note from Iowa.

From Oregon:

Thank you for your telegram best ticket available is Nixon-Lodge.

From Ohio:

Am morally pledged to Nixon. Trust South would go along.

From Alaska:

Retel am pledged under oath impossible comply.

Kansas:

Want to work with you prefer Nixon Lodge await details.

Maine:

As a Republican elector I am committed to cast my ballot for the Republican nominee.

Arizona:

As presidential elector I am bound to follow the expressed wishes of our voters of Arizona who gave Mr. Nixon a 61,000 majority I`am sorry that cannot be of assistance at this time thank you for your wire.

Contents of your wire received favorably appreciate concern electors have letter follows.

Have not received Montgomery letter. Would appreciate seeing it.

Must

stay with Nixon until recounts are exhausted. Would like to be kept informed as to progress. Interested.

Alaska:

Alaska votes dedicated to Nixon.

Oklahoma:

Interested to receive wire will be awaiting further details as discussed in our telephone conversation November 21.

Oregon:

Am pledged to vote Nixon-Lodge ticket.

Washington:

How about compromise slate Nixon Johnson we might get this across Byrd and Goldwater OK with me don't think it would go over. Would have to get release from my delegation think this possible my people here very interested keep me posted.

California:

Am California Republican elector planning to vote for Nixon-Lodge.
This is for California:

Retel I am hundred percent Nixon elector who believes completely honest valid count would show him as having been elected.

In addition to those telegrams I subsequently received these letters from the various electors. The pertinent parts I will read. If you wish me to read them all, I will be happy to.

From Wisconsin:

Your wire has received my serious consideration, but after a talk with my Congressman, I do not believe it is possible * * * Thruston Morton seems to agree.

(NOTE. The full text of the above letter appears at p. 615.) Senator KEATING. That is not the basis of your saying that you had the tacit support of the national committeemen.

Mr. IRWIN. No, sir. It was merely to apprise the committee of the fact that Thruston Morton was aware of the transaction or aware of what was going on.

Senator KEFAUVER. Well, I gather that he thought-Senator Morton agreed that anything like that was impossible.

Mr. IRWIN. Yes, he did, and that we know to have been in error. From Washington:

Will say that I, in fairness to my party must vote as the people voted, and under no circumstances could I be induced to do otherwise.

From Ohio;

Since the voters of Ohio chose Richard M. Nixon, I feel it my obligation to cast my ballot for him. Should the Republican Party of the State of Ohio approach me on your suggestion, I would then reconsider, but until such time I am pledged to vote for the candidate for whom we worked so hard.

From Maine:

In reply to your telegram of November 20, I beg to advise that the electors in the State of Maine were nominated and elected on party lines and are under obligation to express the preference of the party as indicated by the popular vote in the election.

70784-61-pt. 3

From Kansas:

It would be my disposition to act in unison with my fellow electors in Kansas in what they might feel is to the best interest of our State and Nation.

From Washington:

I am very sympathetic. However, during our State convention, there was a resolution instructing the electors to cast their vote for the Republican nominees for President and Vice President. Hence, in my opinion, it would be necessary for the nominee to formally release these electors before any consideration could be given in this matter.

It has long been my personal feeling that sooner or later your conservative Democrat leadership of the South and that of the North were going to have to form a coalition because they have too many things in common, particularly the same theory of government at the lower level. This was made apparent in the 1930's when our democracy as we know it and as it was originally established was preserved solely through the leadership of the southern representatives in Congress and to them I think we owe a great debt. The name of the party seems to be the stumbling block and from my standpoint I wouldn't hesitate to adopt a new title, if it would only bring this type of thinking together in a unified whole.

I sincerely hope that this realinement will become a reality instead of a barren hope or dream.

From Oregon:

I have high regard for these fine gentlemen.

From New Hampshire:

It is gratifying to hear and to know that many others feel as I do toward the terrific Fabian Labor Socialist that is the nominee for President. I never want to live to see this country in any more of a Communist control than it would be if this man is President. It is frightening to think about. The evil forces have been working for many years in this country.

Mr. Kennedy a student of the London School of Economics which was founded by Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Webb and with Professor Lasky as one of his teachers we know full well that a lot has been absorbed in the Fabian and Keynesian approach. Add to him Galbraith, Williams, Bowles, and what will we have? The margin is getting closer all of the time with men such as Byrd, Thurmond. Russell, Lausche, Walter and you know the Republicans who have been fighting for us. Had a man such as Senator Byrd been put up at any time by the Democrats for President I am certain that he would have gotten a lot of Republican votes.

Personally Goldwater is my man and we need one like him

Senator KEATING. Is that the same letter?

Mr. IRWIN. Yes. [Reading:]

We need one like him for he has had the fortitude to stand on his convictions and continue to speak out. But the pressure groups, and liberals will silence him if they can—and that includes Republicans. Byrd-Goldwater team would mean a lot but do you think the electoral college could swing it? How do the southern Democrats stand when their States went for Kennedy. If ever there is a time to stop the trend it is now. *

This week's Human Events-as is true in all issues brings out a good article on the electoral college and as we know the Mundt-Coudert bill has been up in Congress for several years.

Yes, I am very interested in the proposal. Unless one is certain that Kennedy would be shelved the play is useless. I would be more in favor of trying to get some of the electors to accept Mr. Nixon.

Our country is in a very very sad and deplorable state and I am discouraged and can see no way out without an awakening by the American people. May we have God's guidance in this serious question and I shall be grateful to hear from you of any progress.

From South Dakota:

I think that any real Democrat need have no qualms of conscience in not voting for him; and especially so, if he can have the opportunity of voting for a real Democrat who will stand for old Democratic principles. And we Repub

licans should, for the good of the United States, help them to select some one along those lines.

From Wyoming:

I have been privileged to know practically all of the men who have been mentioned and am certain they would be excellent leaders for our Nation in this very difficult period.

My conception of the responsibilities of a presidential elector is probably old fashioned, but I cannot do anything other than what I was elected to do on November 8.

** and I am sorry I am not able to change my mind under all the circumstances.

From Ohio:

The money that Kennedy spent in the primaries and the irregularities that are now being discovered in the general election disqualifies him for President. From Maine-she was hoping to elect Nixon-Lodge.

From Idaho, it is a reply, and since it is a reply, I shall include it. Senator KEFAUVER. Well, I will ask the counsel to get the substance of some of the letters-you haven't read all of them-and they will be included in the record.

We will rule later about the names.

(The following are additional excerpts from this group of letters submitted by Mr. Irwin :)

From Idaho:

Our wire contained this: "Must stay with Nixon until recounts are exhausted." That does not mean that we must stay with him until it is too late to change the picture. As a matter of fact, Goldwater is our man and we are staunch admirers of Harry Byrd. We would be elated to have them head our Government. * ** If you can show strength and early recounts do not change the picture, I would be happy and anxious to help the movement in any way possible. *** If there is sufficient favorable response, I feel there should be a meeting of the electors so inclined, to decide on a ticket and final strategy. Such meeting should not be publicized until the accomplishment was assured. If anything is done, it must be done fast. I commend you for your effort and hope your goal is realized.

From Maine:

As one Republican elector from Maine, I feel that I have a mandate from the people to cast my ballot for the Nixon-Lodge ticket. The names of the candidates, and not the electors, were on the ticket in this State and the people voted for them.

From Wisconsin:

Your wire has received my serious consideration but after a talk with my Congressman, I do not believe it is possible. He is quite sure that Kennedy has a clear majority, even with the recounts in process. Thruston Morton seems to agree. And I cannot envision a Southern State risking the lack of patronage such a move would entail.

(NOTE. The above is the same letter from which Mr. Irwin read at p. 613.)

From Oregon:

I do urge you and as many electors as you can influence to vote for Nixon. * * I feel there might be enough Democratic electors that might be free to cast their votes for Nixon. I urge you to work for as many electoral votes as you can secure for Vice President Nixon.

From Kansas:

I do not know whether or not the practice in Kansas conforms to other States; however, I did not receive any personal votes, in that no voter in the general election placed an "X" in the square after my name. The form of ballot we use