It will come when they realize that the laws under which the Federal Government hands out contributions to the states are placing upon them a double burden of taxation–Federal taxation in the first instance to raise the moneys which the Government donates to the states, and state taxation in the second instance to meet the extravagances of state expenditures which are tempted by Federal donations.” It will come when they realize the necessity of State assumption of State responsibility. But far more important than this would be its effect upon the fabric of our constitutional form of government, which tends to be gradually weakened and undermined by this encroachment. If we could confine our Federal expenditures to the legitimate obligations and functions of the Federal Government, a material reduction would be apparent. It has trespassed upon fields where there should be no trespass. “Unfortunately the Federal Government has strayed far afield from its legitimate business. Source: “Address at A Meeting Of The Business Organization Of The Government,” on January 21, 1924. Efficiency of state governments is impaired as they relinquish responsibilities which are rightfully theirs.” Efficiency of Federal operations is impaired as their scope is duly enlarged. But I am fearful that this broadening of the field of government activities is detrimental to both the Federal and the state governments. My policy in this matter is not predicated alone on the drain which these subsidies make on the National Treasury, This of itself is sufficient to cause concern. “The financial programme of the Chief Executive does not contemplate expansion of these subsidies. Source: “ The Reign of Law,” on May 30, 1925.
We impose unfairly on the strength of the strong, and we encourage the weak to indulge their weakness.” Whenever by that plan we take something from one group of states and give it to another group, there is grave danger that we do an economic injustice on one side and a political injury on the other. Yet there are constant demands for more Federal contributions. We have seen some examples in connection with the Federal contributions to road building. When the National Treasury contributes half, there is temptation to extravagance by the state. We may go on yet for a time with the easy assumption that ‘if the states will not, the nation must.’ But that way lies trouble. The average American, believing in our dual-sovereignty system, must feel that the policy of national-doles to the states is bad and may become disastrous. The extreme federalist is apt to look upon it in cynical fashion as bribing the states into subordination. The ardent States Rights advocate sees in this practice a vicious weakening of the state system. “One insidious practice which sugar-coats the dose of Federal intrusion is the division of expense for public improvements or services between state and national treasuries. Source: “ At The Home Of Daniel Webster,” on July 4, 1916.
“We know that only ignorance and superstition seek to explain events by fate and destiny.” Source: Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge, p. “Fate bestows its rewards on those who put themselves in the proper attitude to receive them.” Source: “ Speech To The Amherst College Alumni Association,” on February 4, 1916. the man who works there worships there, and to each is due, not scorn and blame, but reverence and praise.” “The man who builds a factory builds a temple.
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