Passage of the 1936 York County, ME Tercentenary Half Dollar bill almost fell victim to the "If I don't get what I want, nobody gets what they want!" mindset.
The Senate's (passed) version of a York County half dollar bill was called for consideration in the House of Representatives in late June 1936. The Clerk read the bill into the record, and then the fun began.
The players in our program:
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Stephen Marvin Young (D-OH) served four non-consecutive terms in the House between March 4, 1933 and January 3, 1951. He later returned to serve two terms as Senator (1959-71).
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Andrew Lawrence Somers (D-NY) served in 13 consecutive Congresses (in the House) between March 4, 1925 and his death on April 6, 1949.
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Bertrand Hollis Snell (R-NY) served 12 consecutive terms in the House from November 2, 1915, to January 3, 1939; he was originally elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Edwin A. Merritt, Jr.
"The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection?
"Mr. YOUNG. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the right to object. It is my understanding that the important housing and slum clearance bill, which many of us favor and which should by all means be enacted into law before the adjournment of this Congress, is being held in committee, and, instead of considering an important bill like that for the welfare of the people, we are asked to pass a bill of the nature now under consideration, and I object.
"Mr. SOMERS of New York. Oh, I wish the gentleman would withhold his objection. The gentleman ought not to hold that against me. I have nothing to do with the bill to which the gentleman refers. Possibly if it came before my committee I would give it consideration.
"Mr. YOUNG. This is the important housing bill to which I refer.
"Mr. SOMERS of New York. I sympathize entirely with the gentleman.
"Mr. YOUNG. It is of immense importance not only to the city dwellers but to the people of rural America.
"Mr. SOMERS of New York. I sympathize entirely with the gentleman and would support that policy.
"Mr. YOUNG. It should be enacted into law.
"Mr. SOMERS of New York. I think the gentleman is right.
"The regular order was directed.
"Mr. SNELL. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman is going to object to that after we have let a lot of other bills go through, I give notice that there will be a lot of other things objected to. ·
"Mr. YOUNG. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my objection.
"The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection?
"There was no objection.
"The bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider laid on the table."Following this, the bill was examined and signed in each chamber before being sent to the President. The York County, ME Tercentenary coin bill was signed into law on June 20, 1936.
1936 York County, ME Tercentenary Half Dollar
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other York County half dollar stories, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 03/06/2025 12:58 pm
