This 1939 note from FDR to Cecilia Dunn points up our history as a moving target. Nothing was ordained about Douglas' selection to the Court, yet his immense contribution is well-known to every high school student. Mr. Bell is barely remembered today, yet was important enough to contend for the job. As a jurist would he have been as able? We'll never know.

Mrs. Dunn was an Elector in the 1944 presidential election.