"PUT PEOPLE AT THE MERCY OF A CONGRESSIONAL MAJORITY"

STATE SECRETARY SAYS ELECTION OF THIRD PARTY TICKET WOULD BE PROGRESS TOWARD OVERTHROW OF OUR SYSTEM

St. Paul, Minnesota (JFK+50) On October 26, 1924, the Sunday Star reports Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes*, speaking here in St. Paul last evening, indicated that whatever success the Robert M. La Follette third party campaign has in the upcoming presidential election "is progress toward the overthrow of our system."

Secretary Hughes, a former associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, criticized La Follette's proposed constitutional amendment to give Congress the power to override decisions of the high court.

In the Secretary's view, this would put the American people "at the mercy of a congressional majority."

*Charles Evans Hughes (1862-1948) was born in Glens Falls, New York & graduated from Brown University & Columbia Law School. CEH served as governor of NY 1907-1910, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court 1910-1916, Secretary of State 1921-1925, Chief Justice USSC 1930-1941.

SOURCE

"La Follette Perils Future Of Nation, Hughes Declares," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., October 26, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Charles Evans Hughes

Underwood & Underwood Photo

Library of Congress

"JUSTICES MUCH REFRESHED BY VACATION REST"

SUPREME COURTS MEETS FOR NEW TERM, PAYS RESPECTS TO PRESIDENT COOLIDGE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 1, 1923, the United States Supreme Court "met for its new term after a recess since last June."

The Evening Star reports all of the justices were "much refreshed by the vacation rest" including senior members Justice Joseph McKenna* and Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes**.

After a brief opening session, the members of the High Court adjourned "to call at the White House to pay its respects to the President."

*Joseph McKenna (1843-1926) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania & earned his law degree at Columbia School of Law.  JM served as associate justice USSC 1898-1925.

**Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. (1841-1935) was born in Boston, Massachusetts & earned his law degree at Harvard School of Law.  OWH served in the Civil War & as associate justice USSC 1902-1932.  He is one of the most widely quoted SC justices. 

SOURCES

"Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., 1902-1932," Supreme Court Historical Society, www.supremecourthistory.org/

"Supreme Court Opens Full Term," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., October 1, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

 Supreme Court Justices

October 1 1923

Library of Congress