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1936 › Frank Knox (Republican) › Amending the Constitution to enlarge (or restrain) federal power
New federal activities only when legalized by constitutional amendment -- 'the horse and buggy method'
pledge_forwardspecific_pledgecandidate_directevidence B Federal–State Relations similar solutions · similar reasoning
Solution
Accept that changing conditions call for increased federal activity, but insist every new activity be authorized by amendment, not by laws that 'flout the Constitution.'
Rationale
The party 'disapproves a philosophy that laughs at the horse and-buggy method and wants to use only the buggy whip.'
Statements (2)
But It always in sists that such new activities shall be legalized by proper constitutional amendment. It always will.
And whatever measures the Republican administration may urge upon Con gress, not one will flout the Con stitution of the United States. Not one will violate the obligation of contracts. Not one will break a promise.
Follow-through
not_applicable
No amendment was proposed by either side; the Court's 1937 decisions enlarged federal power by interpretation.
Other positions on this issue
- Wages, hours and child labor by State law and interstate compact -- and a constitutional amendment giving the States power if the courts forbid — Alf Landon, 1936 specific_pledge
- Meet constitutional obstacles by 'clarifying amendment' -- and say nothing about the Supreme Court — Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1936 directional_stance
1936-knox-new-federal-powers-only-by-amendment · created by claude-fable-5-1 · review: unreviewed