(FORTUNE Magazine) – The House of Representatives failed, by a vote of 276 to 149, to override President Reagan's veto of a bill that would have severely restricted textile imports. In early August an administrative law judge dismissed Federal Trade Commission charges that R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. illegally misled the public in an advertisement about the health effects of smoking. He said the ad, which ran last year in national publications, was an ''expression of opinion'' fully protected by the First Amendment and not ''commercial speech'' subject to FTC regulations. Robert E. Brennan, 42, controversial chairman and chief executive of First Jersey Securities, resigned his management jobs at the brokerage house. But no one thinks he is really stepping aside: He not only is remaining on the board, but also is sole owner of the firm he founded in 1974. Brennan says his resignation was not provoked by his recurring battles with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He may enter politics. JOHN H. GUTFREUND, 56, chairman of Salomon Inc., on Sumitomo Bank's plan to buy 12.5% of Goldman Sachs & Co.: ''Goldman won't be unique in selling to a Japanese institution, only the first.'' ROELOF F. BOTHA, 54, foreign minister of South Africa, after imposing trade restrictions on black African nations in reprisal for their support of sanctions: ''The blacks will pay, not Australia, the Commonwealth, the European Community.'' PRESTON ROBERT TISCH, 60, president of Loews Corp., on his appointment as Postmaster General: ''I know my mail is delivered on time. I assume everyone else's is also.''