Grand inquest: the story of congressional investigations.

Door: Taylor, Telford.

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• ISBN:
• Uitgever: New York : Simon & Schuster, 1955. Orig. cloth binding. Dustjacket (chipped). xix,358,[1] pp. Owner's stamp on title-page. Conditie: goed
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• Details: Conditie: goed. RECHT
• Extra informatie: From the publisher : "We are called the grand inquest of the nation," William Pitt said in the House of Commons more than two hundred years ago, "and as such it is our duty to inquire into every step of publick management, either abroad or at home, in order to see that nothing has been done amiss." Congressional investigating committees are much older than either television or the Un-American Activities Committee. They were, in fact, a well established part of government when our nation was founded. The story of their amazing growth starts as far back as 1792 when Congress looked into the defeat of General Arthur St. Clair, Revolutionary War hero, by Chief Little Turtle at the Battle of the Wabash River. But Congress has broadened Pitt's "grand inquest" to cover far wider areas of public and private life. Even if a committee is not doubtful of a citizen's own loyalty, it may still want to ask him about his daughter's third-grade teacher, or about his neighbor, or about the man who works next to him. The power of subpoena is old; the klieg lights and the press conferences are new. Investigating congressmen are beginning to assert their place in the daily life of every American, along with the mailman and tax collector. This is the story of how it all came about-why investigation is a vital part of our government, how it is being abused, and what can be done about it. Here is a clear and readable account of the real need for Congress to investigate within the bounds of the Constitution, especially the principle of separation of powers, and the Bill of Rights which protects us as individuals. Here, also, is a survey of the proposals which are being discussed for the reform of committee procedures. This is no new problem; it has been real since long before 1932, when press agents popped the midget in J. P. Morgan's lap. Most important of all, this is a sober and measured statement of those dangers- far worse than circus stunts-which are the product of the deep domestic conflict in the United States that Mr. Taylor calls the "cold civil war." For all senators and citizens alike are rightly concerned in this struggle, now going on in the press and in our daily discussion. This is a guidebook and a warning for all of us, of the inevitable harm to the nation of misusing one of our essential civic institutions.
• € 18.00