Word: bensons
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Returning from a 24-day world-circling observation junket (termed by his foes a "farewell present" from the Administration), Agriculture Secretary Ezra Taft Benson flew into Washington and a round of reporters' goading about his ever-rumored resignation. "That question has been raised ever since the first week I took the job," said Ezra. "I presume if the prognosticators work long enough, they are sure to hit it right some time. I have no plans to leave...
Like other Cabinet members in the Eisenhower Administration, Benson was held solely responsible for his Department. It was always the "Benson farm policy," not the "Eisenhower farm policy" that was criticized. But Benson was not subject to his most intense criticism until the last few months. Before, despite all criticism, Eisenhower had remained steadfastly in support of Benson; it was only this year, when Eisenhower himself started to be attacked, that Benson felt the full brunt of farmer discontent...
...most graphic portrayal of Benson's unpopularity was the election of William Proxmire as Senator from Wisconsin and his subsequent dramatic demand for Benson's resignation. Discontent had been obvious earlier in the summer, when for the first time, Benson was criticized for extensive traveling. The height of direct criticism was reached when South Dakota farmers threw eggs at the Secretary of Agriculture...
Criticism of Benson has reached its peak in the last few months, and can only be expected to increase as the '58 elections draw nearer. Despite the coalition of cattlemen, businessmen, and the American Farm Bureau Federation being formed to save Benson, it is likely that Benson will choose to resign in February...
...whole Eisenhower Administration. When he first came into office he was welcomed, like Eisenhower, as a symbol of the revival of moral integrity in government. But as social discontents became more aparent, as mistakes became more noticeable, the originaly important "Crusade" became just another slogan to the American People. Benson is finding, as is Eisenhower, that integrity alone is not enough...