The discussion held in the House of Representatives in May 1936 regarding the bill for the Battle of Gettysburg 75th Anniversary Half Dollar showed signs of the looming backlash against US commemorative coins.
The Gettysburg coin bill was introduced by Harry Luther Haines (D-PA) and referred to the House Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures in March 1936. After being favorably reported by the Committee in April, the bill was called up for consideration by Representative Haines on May 4, 1936.
1936 Battle of Gettysburg 75th Anniversary Half Dollar
The players in this particular House drama:
- Harry Luther Haines (D-PA) - Sponsor of the Gettysburg Half Dollar bill
- John Taber (R-NY) - served in 20 consecutive Congresses between 1923 and 1963
- Jesse Paine Wolcott (R-MI) - served in 13 consecutive Congresses between 1931 and 1957
- John William McCormack (D-MA) served in 21 consecutive Congresses between 1927 and 1971
- Joseph Wellington Byrns, Sr. (D-TN) - Speaker of the House, January 3, 1935 - June 4, 1936 (died in Office)
The House's consideration:
"HAINES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the present consideration of the bill <H. R. 11533) to authorize the coinage of 50-cent pieces in commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
"The Clerk read the title of the bill.
"The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the immediate consideration of the bill?
"Mr. TABER. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, will the gentleman explain this bill?
"Mr. HAINES. Mr. Speaker, the G. A. R. and the United Confederate Veterans, in their conventions last year at Amarillo, Tex., and Grand Rapids, Mich., unanimously decided to hold a reunion at Gettysburg, and they want to have these 50-cent pieces coined in commemoration of that event.
"Mr. TABER. How much is it going to cost?
"Mr. HAINES. It is not going to cost the Government one penny.
"Mr. WOLCOTT Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, there have been several bills on the calendar for the coinage of 50-cent pieces, and two bills, I believe, to change the design of 50-cent pieces. Now, do not let anyone be fooled with respect to these 50-cent pieces. This is just a racket for the purpose of raising money in order to put on the celebration, and we had better understand that is the purpose back of the coining of this money. In some instances they become rackets because of the fact that they come back here and ask us to even change the design. Why? Not because they are not satisfied with the original design, but because it results in making the coin more rare. It makes the coin more rare, thus enhancing its value and it can be sold for more money, and thereby raise a great deal more money to put into the coffers of the committee putting on the celebration.
"Mr. Speaker, I think this is a worthy cause, and I dislike to object to the bill. I considered it was my duty to object to these bills. I have had a barrage of protests leveled at me for objecting ro bills that I thought I should object to and in a weak moment I consented to let one of these bills go through, and to be consistent, I let others go through. But I think we should understand that the only purpose of these bills is to raise money to put on these celebrations, and not to commemorate any particular event.
"Mr. McCORMACK. I think what the gentleman says is true; but this bill is meritorious. It does not cost the Government any money. Of course; ! recognize the gentleman's viewpoint, but I think a celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, together with a reunion of the forces of the North and South, is an event which would entirely warrant and justify the passage of this particular bill.
"Mr. WOLCOTT. I think if any event does justify it, this one does.
"The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Pennsylvania?
"There was no objection."With that, the Clerk read the bill, including the recommended Committee amendment that removed the language (Section 5) that gave the State of Pennsylvania (the coin's sponsor) unrestricted flexibility in its ordering of its authorized coins. The bill, and its amendment, passed without further objection; the passed bill was sent to the Senate for its consideration.
Ultimately, the House's deliberations mattered little as the Senate amended the bill, via substitution, and completely replaced the language/provisions included in the House bill. The substitution was recommended by the Senate Committee on Banking and Currency, and passed easily within the Senate.
The House concurred with the Senate amendment and the bill went on to be approved by US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. (To read more about the substitution aspect of the bill, see:
1936 Gettysburg Half Dollar - House Vs. Senate.
Approval of new commemorative bills had slowed to a trickle by the time of the Gettysburg half dollar's consideration and approval as more and more members of Congress stood in opposition to them. It's not always easy to know when/where a change in thinking takes hold, but the House chamber during the 74th Congress would appear to have been an early candidate.
For more of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other Gettysburg half dollar stories, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 12/04/2024 10:04 am
