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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 September 2013
In an atmosphere of profound awe of the unprecedented popularity of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the members of the Seventy-fifth Congress convened, on January 5, 1937, for their first session. Many legislators were keenly conscious that their presence in Washington was due largely to that inspired political leadership which had produced tremendous Democratic majorities throughout the nation. With the surviving remnant of opposition benumbed and quiescent, the view was prevalent that the patriotic duty of Congress would be “to have the courage of the President's convictions.”
1 The resolution of the Committee on Elections, Number 3, to seat the Democratic contestant was recommitted with instructions to poll the 458 voters of Newton, a small New Hampshire town. Record, p. 11927. All references to the Congressional Record in this article are to the unrevised and unbound copies.
2 The vacancy was created by the death of Glover H. Cary, Democrat, December 5, 1936.
3 This is exclusive of Speaker Bankhead, who voted rarely, but does include Christopher D. Sullivan, leader of Tammany Hall, who spent most of his time in New York City. Most absences, however, were due to illness.
4 The vote of State Senator Smathers was needed at Trenton by the local Democratic organization, which is now recalling A. Harry Moore from the United States Senate to run again for governor.
5 Record, p. 12055.
6 “… the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.” Constitution, Art. I, Sect. 5, par. 3. For example, Republicans were unable to force a record vote on the bituminous coal bill, or the motion to recommit the Interior appropriation bill with instructions to reduce it by ten per cent. Record, pp. 2701 and 6350.
7 As there is inadequate space on their own side of the aisle, thirteen Democrats must now sit behind the Republicans.
8 As of August 16, 1937. See Record, p. 11615.
9 Mr. Black's resignation makes logical the choice of Elbert D. Thomas, of Utah, as chairman.
10 When the session began, James P. Buchanan, of Texas, was chairman. His death resulted in the selection of the ailing Mr. Taylor as de jure head, and of Clarence Cannon, of Missouri, as de facto chief.
11 William P. Connery, of Massachusetts, was chairman until his death in late June. Mrs. Norton resigned as chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia to succeed him.
12 New York Times, December 23, 1936.
13 Record, p. 293.
14 Ibid., pp. 250–259.
15 The recent addition of the third Massachusetts member, Mrs. Rogers, to the Foreign Affairs minority, is supposedly motivated by her desire to participate more fully in diplomatic social activities.
16 Record, p. 2482.
17 Remarks of Mr.Snell, . Record., p. 5436Google Scholar.
18 Record, pp. 8604–8615.
19 Record, p. 13. The only organized opposition was among the third party members.
20 Record, pp. 12117, 12149.
21 Ibid., p. 2621.
22 Ibid., p. 1012.
23 During April and May, the Senate convened only 25 times, for sittings averaging less than three hours each. During this same period the House met 40 times in sessions averaging over four and one-half hours.
24 On May 26, Senator Robinson stated: “The Senate has kept well up with its work during the present session, as is indicated by the small number of bills on the calendar. Until the committees report additional proposed legislation, there is little business of importance to be transacted in the Senate.” Record, p. 6578. On March 8, he had said: “For the first time in my memory, at this advanced stage of the session there is no general legislation of importance on the calendar of the Senate other than the bill referred to by the senator from New York.” Record, p. 2453.
25 On June 23, Representative Taber stated with regard to the appropriation bills: “The calendar is in the worst condition I have ever known in my legislative experience.” Record, p. 8099.
26 Senator Barkley had requested the Vice-President to recognize Senator King, Walsh, or Sheppard upon the disposition of the helium bill. After plans had gone awry, Mr. Garner explained: “… the chair looked around and tried to find either one of the senators referred to standing. None was standing, but the senator from New York was on his feet and demanding recognition …. When three senators are on their feet demanding recognition, the chair has the privilege of choosing the one to recognize; but when only one senator is standing and demanding recognition, the chair has no choice. When the present occupant of the chair was the presiding officer of another body, he could recognize a member in his seat and ask him to stand up.” Record, p. 11160.
27 Record, p. 11241.
28 Record, p. 8795.
29 Ibid.
30 Ibid., pp. 8919–8921.
31 Ibid., p. 9223.
32 Ibid., p. 10925.
33 Instead of smothering resolutions aimed to embarrass the Administration, committees often reported them adversely, accompanied by comment from administrative departments. See, for example, the report of the Labor Committee, Record, p. 8531.
34 There was not one Calendar Wednesday during 1936.
35 Record, p. 8564. Speaking of the Immigration Committee, Mr. Dickstein said: “This is the first day we have had in 16 years.” Ibid., p. 3013.
36 Record, p. 3466.
37 Record, pp. 4139–4141.
38 Vide Mr. O'Connor's speech. He exclaimed: “I am against lynching … but I could hardly be asked to discharge myself from something with which I had nothing to do.” Record, p. 4343.
39 Vide Record for April 19, 1937. Even Speaker Bankhead asked that his name be called in order to register his opposition. Record, p. 4575.
40 Record, p. 2764.
41 Ibid., pp. 11664. See also pages 11665–11667.
42 Record, p. 4215.
43 Record, pp. 3903–3930.
44 Record, pp. 3978–3993. The vote on the amendment was 36–48.
45 Record, pp. 4118–4133. The vote on the innocuous concurrent resolution was 75 to 3.
46 Record, p. 87.
47 For an excellent treatment of administrative reorganization in the Seventy-fifth Congress, see note by Joseph P. Harris in the October number of this Review.
48 The majority leader stated in the House: “I want to assure you that the President and all departments concerned are wholly opposed to these two paragraphs.” Record, p. 10755.
49 Record, pp. 5984–5985.
50 Ibid., pp. 5982–5985.
51 Record, p. 12016.
52 The amendment may be found in ibid., p. 8727.
53 Record, pp. 9259–9265.
54 From the President's Constitution Day speech. New York Times, September 18, 1937.
55 Senator Johnson of California objected to immediate confirmation. Record, p. 11214. Mr. Ashurst declared: “It is an immemorial usage of the Senate that whenever the Executive honors this body by nominating a member thereof that nomination is confirmed without reference to a committee, for the obvious reason that no amount of investigation or consideration by a committee of the Senate could disclose any new fact or shed any new light upon the character, attainments, and ability of the nominee, because if we do not know him after long service with him, no one will ever know him.” Ibid.
56 Only Senator Copeland pressed this charge. Record, p. 11622.
57 Senator Borah stated: “There has never been at any time one iota of evidence that Senator Black was a member of the Klan. … We know that Senator Black has said … that he was not a member of the Klan.” Record, p. 11651.
58 Record, p. 11657. This was after a motion to recommit the nomination for further study was defeated, 66 to 15. Ibid., p. 11656.
59 In message to Congress, May 24, 1937. Record, p. 6455.
60 In their national conclaves in October, leaders of both rival labor organizations spoke disparagingly of the pending bill, embarrassing Rules Chairman O'Connor in his effort to get the measure before the House. New York Times, October 22, 1937.
61 Vide letter of William Green in re proposed Vandenburg amendments. “The amendments … are but a first step toward governmental control of unions—a step similar to that which led to the elimination of free trade unionism in Germany, Italy, and Russia.” Record, p. 9997.
62 See letter in the Record, p. 2568.
63 Record, p. 10965. Mr. Green's letter on the other side may be found in ibid., p. 10701.
64 Record, pp. 10266–10275. See also Senator Connally's analysis of another Green letter, p. 10251.
65 In presenting the skeleton bill last July, Senator McGill explained: “The bill is in most of its parts a measure containing the provisions of proposed legislation recently briefly outlined in hearings before the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry by certain farm organization representatives and was worked out by them, as I am advised, in conjunction with representatives of the Department of Agriculture.” Record, p. 9117.
66 Senate Joint Resolution 207. Record, 12140.
67 Record, pp. 8439–8443, 9553–9566.
68 Record, pp. 3466, 6722–6726, 6741–6747.
69 Report of Commander Colmery to annual convention of the American Legion. New York Times, September 20, 1937.
70 Record, p. 10635.
71 Ibid.
72 Ibid., p. 7689. See also p. 10743.
73 New York Times, September 2, 1937.
74 Record, p. 11139.
75 Ibid., p. 9807.
77 Record, pp. 623–643.
78 Ibid., p. 643, and New York Times for January 29, 1937.
79 Record, p. 10495.
80 Ibid.
81 Ibid., p. 12281.
82 Ibid., p. 12283.
83 Ibid., pp. 9555 and 9566.
84 New York Times, March 5, 1937.
85 Ibid., June 25, 26, 27, 1937.
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