LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 21-22, 1972, Page 1

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MINUTES OF MEETING OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
July 21-22, 1972, St. Louis, Missouri
137. The chairman called upon the secretary to open the meeting with prayer. All regular and advisory
members were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as submitted. While waiting
for one member to arrive and also toward the end of the meeting the Commission disposed of many
matters as set forth later in the minutes. However, the main purpose of this meeting was to explore in
depth the subject of presidential power.
PRESIDENTIAL P0WER
138. Agenda Items: The principal agenda item before the Commission on this question was the resolution
of the New York State Pastoral Conference (Ag. 330, Min. 133) asking two questions regarding the
exercise of presidential authority. A similar request had been submitted later by the New Jersey Pastoral
Conference (Ag. 340). Dr. John Tietjen had asked for an opportunity to express his opinion on these
matters (Ag. 336). The Commission also had before it quite a number of unsolicited study documents re
presidential power (Ag. 324, 335, 338, 338A).
139. Documents: In addition to the unsolicited documents the Commission had decided already at the
previous meeting to invite submissions. The Chairman and secretary had finalized a list of persons
tentatively proposed at the last meeting (Min. 134), and reported that the following responses had been
received to direct invitations to submit papers on this subject:
Submitted Papers:

Failed to Respond or Declined:

J. A. 0. Preus
0. R. Harms
John Tietjen
August Suelflow
Fred Niedner
Lloyd Goetz
Arnold Wessler
E. J. Friedrich
Harold Olson
Wilbert Griesse
Caul Dauten

Ralph Reinke
Fred Kuhlman
Paul Zimmermann
Arthur Ahlschwede
Paul Streufert
Walter Wolbrecht
Herman Scherer
Roland Wiederaenders
Theodore Nickel
Edwin Weber
W. Harry Krieger
G. Merkens

(declined)
(declined)
(declined)

Unsolicited papers were also submitted, authored by Martin Neeb, G. Jersild, Robert Doggett, W. C.
Birkner, and several anonymous essayists. The secretary had prepared guidelines which those who were
invited to submit papers could follow if they chose. This document is attached to the minutes.
140. Personal Presentations: In addition to submitting essays, Dr. Oliver Harms upon invitation met with
the commission from 9 a. m. until 10:50 a.m. and Dr. Preus met with the Commission upon invitation
from 10:50 a.m. until 12:20. Dr. John Tietjen and Dr. August Suelflow had also been invited to make
personal presentations at 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. respectively but both had indicated to the Commission that
they would not appear. A summary of the discussions with Dr. Harms and with Dr. Preus has been filed
by the Secretary with the members of the Commission.

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