Date: November 14, 1930
Location: Northampton, MA
(Original document available here)
The report of proposed co-operation between the two parties in the Senate to pass appropriation bills at the coming short session of the Congress and prevent the necessity for a special session for that purpose is welcome and encouraging news. The responsible elements in the Senate intend to conduct the nation’s business and not to permit that function to be assumed by irresponsible minorities. A special session with no regular business greatly agitates the country, as the past months have shown. The amount of money expended would be large. The people want no agitation and no increased taxes.
When a new President is coming in who certainly will have a special session, delay in appropriations might be warranted. But to attempt to force a special session by Congressional action is close to an usurpation of power. It encroaches upon the executive authority which is entrusted with calling special sessions. A disposition to transact the business of the nation speedily and leave the President responsible under the Constitution for any further action will have wholesome effect on the country. It represents political sanity and will increase public confidence in the Senate.
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 Craig Eyermann who prepared this document for digital publication.