Description:

Mary Lord Harrison
n.p., July 15, 1937
Mary Lord Harrison ALS on FDR's Attempt to Pack the Supreme Court & Robinson's Death
ALS
An autograph letter signed by Mary Lord Harrison, second wife of President Benjamin Harrison, regarding recent political happenings and Franklin D. Roosevelt's attempts to pack the Supreme Court. 5pp on 3 sheets, measuring 5.75" x 7.75", n.p., dated July 15, 1937. Addressed to Harriet and signed "Mary Lord Harrison." With flattened mail folds and light edge toning. Boldly signed.

The letter in part:
"...Did you ever see such spirit as the Sen. from Mass shows? I wonder what kind of a husband he makes? You need not repeat my remarks! I do hope your brother will answer his letter...please thank your brother many times for me - I think I shall write him a note myself. A number of letters have been written to various members since seeing you - And I am hoping that they will show that justice is - I wish I could meet Sen [David] Walsh, perhaps I will in the future. I can be kind even to an enemy! He sounds something like a 'Puritan Father,' they were good but narrow, and not very chivalrous always to the women always! Sen [Joseph Taylor] Robinson's health is bad and is quite a blow to the Court question. I trust a week's rest will clear up matter somewhat in Washington...The death of Robinson at this critical time for the Administration; - Perhaps the Administration will realize it, - What a number of the New Dealers have died? I hope the Court Bill will be shelved until next session at any rate..."

In the early months of 1937, and seemingly without warning, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed to Congress an overhauling of the federal judiciary, purportedly to help the courts keep up with their growing dockets. On the surface, this may have appeared to be an innocent proposal, but Roosevelt had recently had several of his more progressive projects overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. At the very heart of Roosevelt's bill was that he be empowered to name as many as six new Supreme Court justices. This proposal shocked Congress, leading to charges that Roosevelt wanted to "pack the Supreme Court." Within five weeks of the President's announcement, it was clear that his plan was heading toward a dead-end in the Senate, and by June 1937, the Judiciary Committee sent a report with a negative recommendation to the full Senate and it was tabled.

Joseph T. Robinson (1872-1937) was the Majority Leader in the Senate and one of the chief lobbyists for FDR's proposal. On July 12, 1937, he left the Senate chamber complaining of chest pains. Two days later, Robinson died having suffered a heart attack. Without his support, FDR's measure was effectively finished.

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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  • Dimensions: 5.75" x 7.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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