Robert C. Byrd: Child of the Appalachian Coalfields

19. A HAND ON THE PURSE STRINGS

Chapter 19 z A HAND ON THE PURSE STRINGS n making the choice to claim the chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee, I had sought the advice of newspaper editors, political and business leaders, and others around the state.About 80 percent of the people I had contacted were of the opinion that I should take the chairmanship of this committee rather than stand for reelection to the office of majority leader. Consequently, my decision had the approval of the overwhelming majority of West Virginians. For example, John Hurd, president of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, thought that I could help the state more if I took the committee post. He was quoted in the press: “I think that he [Byrd] will be able to assess our potential for gaining additional federal help and have time to look at our state in a comprehensive way by being chairman of the Appropriations Committee.” Charleston Mayor Chuck Gardner, was quoted, “West Virginia would get a leg up if he [Byrd] took the Appropriations chairmanship.” Mayor Bobby Nelson of Huntington said, “I’d tell him [Byrd] to take the appropriations chairmanship. He can keep up better with the state and still have a powerful impact over his colleagues.” An editorial in The Parkersburg News, stated: “If the good Senator wishes to best serve his constituents in West Virginia, it is not as the Leader of the Senate’s majority party. It would be as the powerful Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee that he could do the most to help a floundering state.” I 474 chapter 19 So the handwriting on the wall was clear to me.The people of WestVirginia wanted me in the position where I could best serve them and the future of the state.And in my own mind, I, too, felt that there was where I could do most for West Virginia. Not that I could do everything; but I could do many things.  The Senate, 1789-1989 is Published  Two weeks before the Senate observed its two hundredth anniversary, the first volume of my work, The Senate, 1789-1989, was published and would be sold at Government Printing Offices throughout the United States. The book was being published as part of the Congress’ bicentennial celebration, and I dedicated it to my six grandchildren, one of whom—Michael—was deceased. The volume was a compilation of speeches that I had delivered in the Senate over the previous nine years, charting the Senate’s history. I received no royalties from the book, which was being sold by the Government Printing Office at a price of fifty-five dollars to cover the printing costs. The second volume of my history, which would be published within the next year, would focus on the Senate’s structure and organization and the various officers of the Senate.  Retires the Tuxedo  In April 1989, I gave the black tie and tuxedo the boot, vowing that I had renounced the tuxedo and would not wear one ever again.“I call it the monkey suit,” I declared. “The person who invented it did not have much to do. The suit is uncomfortable for me, and wearing it makes me feel silly and stiff.” Not that I had not worn the evening uniform upon many occasions.“Once I drove from my home in Northern Virginia into Washington for a dinner,”I said,“but I got on one of those circles and took a wrong turn and found myself headed back towards McLean, where I lived. Rather than retrace my steps—or rather the winding streets—I had supper in full black tie (we still call it supper at my house) with my wife and daughters.” My comments about the tuxedo drew a quick response from the International Formalwear Association President, who wrote to me, warning that my opinion jeopardized “an entire industry, many tens of thousands of jobs,” not only the people who manufactured the tuxedos but also the thousands of small businesses that served the market with rental tuxedos. In my written response to the gentleman, I stated: “I seriously doubt your conclu- a hand on the purse strings 475 sion that my dislike of tuxedos could ever ‘ jeopardize an entire industry.’ My campaign is against formality when it is not called for, and for freedom to wear what I choose to wear when I choose to wear it.” In...