Political Squeeze Act 

• 1938 
• Kirby, Rollin 
• Drawing 
• Historical item 

5331401

Drawings / paintings

Political Squeeze Act

46 x 36 cm

1938

Original editorial cartoon on card in pencil and crayon, published in the World-Telegram and Sun, 1938, shows ‘administration forces’ closing a vice (‘Reorganization Bill to give Roosevelt increased powers’) round a group of ‘doubtful senators’, representing the pressure brought to bear by the Roosevelt Administration on the Senate to get the amended bill passed. The Reorganization Bill of 1937, frequently called the Court-packing Bill, was a law proposed by President Roosevelt. While the bill contained many provisions, the most notorious one (which led to the name "Court-packing Bill") would have allowed the President the power to appoint an extra Supreme Court Justice for every sitting Justice over the age of 70. Six additional justices would have been appointed. This was proposed in response to the Supreme Court overturning several of Roosevelt’s New Deal measures. The bill had a stormy passage, and an amended version was passed by the Senate in March 1938, but was rejected several weeks later by the House of Representatives. Card size 46 x 36 cm (18 x 14.5 inch), image size 39.5 x 30 cm, signed and dated 3/19/1938 in lower right corner. Caption in upper border. Slight handling stains and crease in right border. Slight age-toning, otherwise in excellent condition.