32nd President: John N. Garner

John Nance Garner
32nd President of the United States
(March 4, 1933 - January 20, 1941)

With over thirty years of prior political experience, including serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John N. Garner was well prepared for the office of President of the United States. He would later say he was forced by the Democrats to run in 1932 when all he wanted was to remain in his beloved House as Speaker. His ascension to the presidency came unexpectedly, his being elected vice-president in the 1932 election. He had prepared himself for his role in "a no man's land somewhere between the legislative and the executive branch." After the assassination of President-elect Franklin Roosevelt on February 15, 1933, he found himself removed from that "purgatory" and the executive office thrust upon him as if by fate. Many found this fitting as Garner was so stubborn only an act of God could change his mind.

Despite the gloom which surrounded the beginning of Garner's presidency, he quickly went to work passing a series of banking reform laws, emergency relief programs, work relief programs, and agricultural programs whose goal were to stabilize the national economy and stimulate growth. Though hailed for his professional actions, Garner's private life would shy away from the spotlight.

Many would dub Garner the most reclusive and quiet president since Coolidge, refusing offers to give weekly fifteen-minute radio addresses because he thought they would be exploitative of his office. He was notorious for avoiding obligations to represent America at a variety of ceremonial and gala affairs, adamantly protecting his privacy and personal time with his wife. He was also known to refuse accompaniment by the Secret Service, stating, "I don't want those constables with me. If there's anybody crazy enough to shoot me, I'd be easy to replace."

Garner's administration began to drift towards the center following the beginning of economic recovery in 1934. Early signs of this drift were seen as early as 1933 when Garner vetoed the National Recovery Act, instead authorizing only parts of the legislation which would have established a massive bureaucracy to oversee the national economy. In later years, he steadfastly opposed recognition of the Soviet Union, broke up the Flint Sit-Down Strikes, and passed the Neutrality Act which assured American isolationism and tied the hands of future administrations in dealing with conflicts in Europe and Asia.

With the economy recovering, Garner easily won re-election in 1936. His second term would be far more conservative than his first. Stating, "I believe in executive leadership, not executive rulership," Garner vetoed any and all bills that reached him calling for increased federal spending or government intervention in the economy despite the Recession of 1937. He strongly advocated a balanced federal budget and continued to do so despite the events which would transpire across Europe and Asia at the end of his term. Even after Nazi successes in Europe, Garner stood against any attempts to increase the size of the military pointing out, "the incredible fortifications of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans against invasion by the Huns or the Japs." This opinion would include opposition to Lend-Lease proposals by internationalist members of Congress. Garner would also oppose economic sanctions against Japan for the ongoing conflict in China. "The idea of starting a war over the deaths of a few Chinamen isn't worth a pitcher of warm piss," he declared. The only military spending of a sizable nature were the Yorktown Class Aircraft Carriers in 1933. When naval limitations were lifted in 1937 with the cessation of the Washington Naval Treaty, the navy pressed Garner to accede to the building of 32 Essex Class Aircraft Carriers as well as other programs. Garner vehemently refused. He didn't want to get involved in an arms race, especially with the downturn of the economy. The navy would have to make due with what they had.

Outspoken, rustic, and strong minded, Garner was an overpowering force who did his best to guide America out of the Great Depression. Guided into the presidency against his will, he served to the best of his ability in one of the most trying times in American history.

SOURCE: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress