June 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, June 27th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/27/2013
President Franklin D. Roosevelt typed letter signed on official White House stationery, marked ''Private & Confidential'' and dated 7 March 1944. Exceptional, passionate letter is addressed to Virginia Congressman Patrick H. Drewry and discusses the Green-Lucas Bill which sought to establish a Federal War Ballot Commission, allowing soldiers overseas to vote via absentee ballot. FDR had mixed feelings about the bill for its confusing terms, which he expresses passionately in this letter; in the end, he let the bill become law without his signature. Letter reads in part: ''...I am doing everything in my power to reestablish a harmony of action, as well as of purpose, between the Congress and the Executive - especially among us Democrats. As you say, there is no unyielding conflict on this matter except among a very small number of people who would rather nail my hide on to the barn door than win the war...I pay no attention to some of the things that are said of me or my family on the floor of both house...I would give a great deal personally to return to Hyde Park and Georgia just as soon as the Lord will let me...having leaned over backward to be constitutional all my life, I find myself confronted with the provision that when formal legislation is sent to me for approval or disapproval, I have to use my own conscience and, if I veto it, I am required to send it back to the House of origin with my reasons...I think you know that I have sent more bills back to the Congress without my approval than any other President...And the percentage of vetoes overridden is extremely low...the Soldier's Vote Legislation, as it stands today, denies the vote to the overwhelming majority of the ten million men in our armed forces. Frankly, I do not think that that is good in a democracy. It will come to me soon and if I veto it I am not going to be rough or impolite toward anybody. I will not say that the Democratic Party had missed a great chance to pin the blame on the Republican Party...I think I had a way out - but I fear it is too late now!'' Signed ''Franklin D. Roosevelt''. 2pp. letter measures 8'' x 10.5'' on two sheets. Two holes punched at left, paperclip impression, and minor foxing and folds throughout. Includes a carbon of the preceding letter from Drewry to FDR. Overall very good.
FDR WWII Letter Signed as President -- ''...there is no...conflict on this matter except among a very small number...who would rather nail my hide on to the barn door than win the war...''
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