Word: sparkman
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1950-1959
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Modest Vision. In their 16 years in the capital, John and Ivo Sparkman have built themselves a quiet, pleasant life. His wife, who dislikes housework, is on the federal payroll at about $3,000 a year as a secretary in Sparkman's office. They live in a three-bedroom, white brick house in Washington's Spring Valley, which they bought in 1948. Their only child, handsome, 28-year-old Julia Ann (who plans to campaign for her dad), lives with them at present: her husband, Navy Lieut. Commander Tazewell Shepard Jr., is awaiting orders to carrier duty...
...social whirl, John Sparkman relaxes by gardening, sometimes shoots a "terrible" game of golf (low 100s). A staunch Methodist, he teaches an adult Bible class at Washing ton's Hamline Church. (In 1944, when asked to describe his idea of Heaven, Sparkman offered this modest vision: ". . . Heaven must afford an opportunity of again meeting . . . our loved ones ... I am sure that in Heaven there must be an opportunity for purposeful work, always with a glorious accomplishment rather than a failure as the result...
...Senate, Sparkman has not been a standout on the floor. He is most effective in Senate committees (Foreign Relations, Banking & Currency and Small Business). His conduct at meetings has rarely varied. He begins by reading a newspaper, then falls into what seems to be a peaceful snooze. When the contending factions have shouted themselves into a near temper, John Sparkman will open his eyes, lean forward and quietly tell the most belligerent group: "We've got to give consideration to that ..." Then, displaying knowledge of the facts which had apparently put him to sleep, Sparkman will work toward...
...Like Bones." On paper, Compromiser Sparkman looks like a good choice in the Democratic effort to patch up a North-South compromise. In fact, the choice of Sparkman has had little effect so far on the party in the South. Dissident Southern leaders, mildly pleased by Stevenson's nomination, tend to be contemptuous of Sparkman. The basic Southern objection to him is clearly expressed by a supporter of Georgia's Herman Talmadge: "Sparkman is as bad a left-winger as the rest, except on the civil rights issue." Says Herman himself: "Sparkman was just a bone tossed...
...John Sparkman is not a man who expects or seeks full-blown enthusiasm. Says one of his Senate colleagues: "John always looks at the percentage of gain. He's shooting not for 100%, but for 70 or 80%." In the coming election, Sparkman will be doing well if he adds 2 or 3% to the Democratic vote in the South. But that small percentage may be extremely useful. For there may be some close fights in a number of Southern states-particularly Texas, Virginia and Florida-and Sparkman's continual search for an angle here and a formula...