Description:

FDR TLS On Message to Congress as He Vetoes Providing Early Payment Promised to World War I Vets.

1p (7" x 8.875”) TLS on White House stationery, dated May 24, 1935, just days after Roosevelt appeared in front of congress to veto a measure providing early payment of bonuses promised to World War I veterans. The letter is written to the Honorable John Godfrey Saxe, a NY lawyer and State Senator. Boldly signed, as "Franklin D. Roosevelt". Scattered foxing, mounted to blue backing which likely could be removed. Excellent appearance.

Roosevelt expresses his regret that he was not able to be with Saxe  at a dinner given in his honor at the Manhattan Club due to his "Unusually busy weekend" where Roosevelt "Had the bonus message to write." Roosevelt later states "This message was not delivered to the Congress until Wednesday, and the work on it --- putting on last minute touches, editing and revising -- completely monopolized my time." 

FDR set a precedent by appearing before a joint session of Congress to deliver his veto message in person. He rejected the Patman Greenback Bonus Bill, which proposed awarding veterans benefits that were due to be paid in 1945 early in order to those most affected by the Great Depression. Within an hour, the House voted 322 to 98 to pass it over his objections. The next day, on May 23, 1935, the Senate, with a vote of 54 to 40, failed to override the veto. The certificates were originally to be paid in 1945, but as the Great Depression worsened, many impoverished veterans demanded early payment. Congress successfully authorized the bonus payments in 1936.

The day this letter was written, the first night game in Major League Baseball history was played at Cincinnati's Crosley Field. President Roosevelt "threw" a ceremonial switch at the White House in Washington, and the lights went on in Cincinnati. Cincinnati defeated the Phillies 2-1.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) 32nd president of the United States, and the only president elected to the office four times. Roosevelt led the United States through two of the greatest crises of the 20th century: the Great Depression and World War II. In doing so, he greatly expanded the powers of the federal government through a series of programs and reforms known as the New Deal, and he served as the principal architect of the successful effort to rid the world of German National Socialism and Japanese militarism.

John Godfrey Saxe II (1877-1953) Manhattan lawyer and member of the New York State Senate. He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention representing New York's 16th congressional district in 1915 and was president of the New York State Bar Association and counsel of Columbia University.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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