The Public Record
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1929, to March 4, 1933. A member of the Republican Party, Hoover was born in Iowa but later moved to California. Before his presidency, he served as the Secretary of Commerce from 1921 to 1928, where he focused on promoting economic growth and efficiency. Hoover was also known for his humanitarian efforts during World War I, leading relief efforts in Europe and earning a reputation as a skilled administrator.
My conception of government leads me to the firm conviction that we have arrived at a time in our history, because of the increasing complexity of our civilization and the delicacy of its adjustments, when we must make doubly certain that…
The greatest catastrophe that could come to our country is that administration policies or legislation or voluntary movements shall be encouraged or enacted upon the basis of emotion, not upon facts and reason.
Presidents have long since learned that one of the undisclosed articles in the Bill of Rights is that criticism and digging of political graves are reserved exclusively to members of the legislative arm.
It is my belief that this is a vital means of government by the people and for the people, now that the people have ceased to live the simple life.
The important thing I have observed from an inspection of 30 administrations is that there is nothing new on this subject.
That voice when raised in human cause is the most potent force in the world today.
As the appropriations for these activities will be exhausted about January 1, 1930, I hope that the estimates will receive the early consideration of Congress.
One point on the business situation--the Department of Commerce and other agencies report that the Christmas buying is up to the average of last year, and a little above the average of last year taking the country as a whole--some places…
In bringing the matter anew to the attention of the present Congress I hope that the action recommended may receive favorable consideration.
I have only one announcement, and that is that the President-elect [Pascual Ortiz Rubio] of Mexico will come to Washington on the 26th of December, and he will be received as a most distinguished guest.
Politicians like Herbert Hoover
