Clinton Lawrence Rossiter

"A revised version of part III of Seedtime of the Republic."

This book traces the development of each provision of the original U.S. Constitution from the beginning of the Constitutional Convention (May 14, 1787) to its end (September 17, 1787). The major emphasis is on the actual drafting--how the final wording of each provision evolved through notes of some of the delegates, reports of the Convention Committees and discussions on the convention floor. In the process, the vast amount of convention documents have been organized in a coherent and sequential manner. ISBN 0-89096-217-0 : $85.00. (For use only in the library).

"Rossiter's concept of a "constitutional dictatorship" may be more shocking today than when he wrote the book. Based on a thoroughgoing study of the use of emergency powers in modern democracies, he determined that the facts of history demonstrate that there are occasions when constitutional dictatorship has served as an indispensable factor in maintaining constitutional democracy. Supreme Court doctrine does not recognize any implied presidential power to suspend the Constitution. However, Rossiter believes this view to be inaccurate. He defends his view through analysis of presidential action during the Civil War, World I, the Depression, and World War II, arguing that when the normal rules are not sufficient other rules take hold.". "Rossiter proposed specific criteria by which to judge the worth and propriety of any resort to constitutional dictatorship. He provides a clear roadmap for both citizen and Congress to judge an executive's actions. In his introduction, Quirk notes that Rossiter's concept - the rapid return to normal government when the crisis is concluded - rests on a premise that appears to be missing today. This volume will be essential reading for those interested in politics, constitutional law, and American history."--BOOK JACKET.

Tells of the supreme event in Philadelphia from May 25th to September 17th--the Constitution of the United States.