PresidentialPositionsIssuesReceptionTimelineDocuments

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1932

John Nance Garner vs Albert C. Ritchie

IssueJohn Nance GarnerAlbert C. Ritchie
Regulation of banks and securities
RFC loans to individuals and corporations generally — 'the Government into personal banking' (the Rainey bill) specific_pledgenot_applicable
Extend RFC lending beyond banks and railroads to any borrower with security, for any purpose; passed under Garner's leadership in July 1932 and vetoed by Hoover.
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Federal responsibility for relief —
States' rights and business-led recovery — no federal intervention in relief directional_stancenot_applicable
Keep relief a state, local and private responsibility; urge programs sponsored by the business community; refuse RFC loans (Maryland took none until mid-1933).
National Prohibition —
Repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment as a matter of states' rights specific_pledgenot_applicable
Repeal national Prohibition and return liquor control to the states; Maryland had refused to enact a state enforcement act.
Public works as employment policy
The Garner-Rainey $1.2 billion public-works bill — and a pledge to reintroduce it specific_pledgenot_applicable
As Speaker, secured House passage (June 1932) of a $1,200 million public-works program covering 3,500 projects, plus RFC loans to states; announced he would introduce it again in the next session.
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Veterans' bonus and benefits
The Patman cash bonus and $2.3 billion of greenbacks, passed by the House under his speakership specific_pledgenot_applicable
The House under Speaker Garner passed the Patman bill (June 15, 1932) paying the bonus in full immediately, financed by new Treasury notes; Hoover treated this as Garner's and the party's policy.
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