Date: January 16, 1931
Location: Northampton, MA
(Original document available here)
It is perfectly apparent that the country does not believe in any kind of dole nor any provision for outdoor relief by the national government. If any member of Congress wishes to propose such a measure, that is his right and it should be considered on its merits. But any attempt to revert to the old rider system or force an extra session unless such a bill is passed cannot be justified and will not meet with public approval.
Years ago the favorite minority device for securing a consideration of national legislation which few wanted but many hesitated to oppose was to move to attach it to an appropriation bill which had to be passed and would carry the rider with it. This led to great abuses. Later the House rules assigned certain days for presenting almost any legislation. A very wholesome rule of Congress was adopted prohibiting legislation being attached to appropriation bills.
This general principle of passing one piece of legislation at a time is most salutary. It prevents crowding through measures that the majority do not favor and forces all bills to stand on their merits.
Citation: Calvin Coolidge Says: Dispatches Written by Former-President Coolidge and Syndicated to Newspapers in 1930-1931 (Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation)
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of David Diao who prepared this document for digital publication.