STRICT CONSTRUCTIONISTS. A term in American polities applied to those who, for various reasons, have maintained that the Fed eral Constitution should be construed strictly in accordance with its letter, as opposed to those, known as 'broad constructionists.' who have be lieved that the Constitution should be construed liberally, and have claimed for the General Gov ernment more or less extensive powers, called. 'indirect powers' or 'implied powers,' not granted specifically by the Fundamental Law. Conflicts between the adherents of the two views have re curred frequently in the history of the United States, e.g. in the controversies over the charter ing of a United States Bank. over the question of 'internal improvements,' and over the power of the General Government with regard to the restriction or prohibition of slavery in the Terri tories; and it is upon this question that, directly or indirectly, party differences in the United States have been largely based. In general, it
may be said that the strict constructionist view has been held, more or less consistently, by the Anti-Federalist aad parties (qq.v.) ; and the broad constructionist view, or less consistently, by the Federalist, National Republi can, Whig, Free-Soil, and Republican p:r•ties (qq.v.) ; though there has been a tendency fur the party in power, irrespective of its platform, to lean to the side of broad or liberal construc tion, and for the party in opposition, also irre spective of its platform, to lean to the side of strict construction. A broad constructionist policy has always had for its effect the strength ening of the Central Government as compared With the States; and a strict constructionist policy the strengthening of the States as com pared with the Central Government. See CoN sT1TUTIO.N UNITED STATES, section on History.