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What was William Taft's job?
Taft’s Post-Presidency and Supreme Court Career. The Republican William Howard Taft worked as a judge in Ohio Superior Court and in the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals before accepting a post as the first civilian governor of the Philippines in 1900. In 1904, Taft took on the role of secretary of war in the administration of Theodore Roosevelt, ...
What did Taft do during his presidency?
(Always heavy, Taft weighed as much as 300 pounds at times during his presidency.) Though he was initially active in “trust-busting,” initiating some 80 antitrust suits against large industrial combinations–twice as many as Roosevelt–he later backed away from these efforts, and in general aligned himself with the more conservative members of the Republican Party. In 1909, Taft’s convention of a special session of Congress to debate tariff reform legislation spurred the Republican protectionist majority to action and led to passage of the Payne-Aldrich Act, which did little to lower tariffs. Though more progressive Republicans (such as Roosevelt) expected Taft to veto the bill, he signed it into law and publicly defended it as “the best tariff bill that the Republican Party ever passed.”
How much did Taft weigh during his presidency?
(Always heavy, Taft weighed as much as 300 pounds at times during his presidency.)
What did Taft do to the island?
Beginning with the drafting of a new constitution (including a Bill of Rights similar to that of the United States) and the creation of the post of civilian governor (he became the first), Taft improved the island economy and infrastructure and allowed the people at least some voice in government.
How long was Taft's term?
He was elected to a five-year term himself the following year. (Other than the presidency, it would be the only office Taft ever obtained through a popular vote.)
What was Taft's most famous opinion?
Taft’s most prominent opinion came in Myers v. United States (1926) , which invalidated tenure of office acts limiting the president’s authority to remove federal officials; President Andrew Johnson’s violation of a similar act had led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1868.
Where did Taft teach constitutional law?
Undoubtedly relieved to be leaving the White House, Taft took a position teaching constitutional law at Yale University Law School. In 1921, President Warren Harding fulfilled Taft’s lifelong dream by appointing him chief justice of the United States Supreme Court.
What was Taft's foreign policy?
businesses and banks to establish locations or make loans in foreign countries in an effort to foster good international relations . Taft went so far as to have U.S. government officials go overseas to boost sales and initiate sales, namely in heavy industry and military machinery. The policy largely failed -- trade with China declined, and American business investment in Latin America actually increased anti-American feelings that started with military interventions spawned by Roosevelt.
What were the reforms that Taft implemented?
Reforms. Several reforms passed during the Taft Administration. One was the Mann-Elkins Act of 1910 , which expanded the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Another act -- one that Taft greatly supported -- split the Department of Commerce and Labor into two separate cabinet-level departments.
Why did Taft ease efforts to bust trusts?
By 1911, Taft had eased efforts to bust trusts due to his big-business connections, irking progressives. Even though Taft had more trust-busting prosecutions -- 99 -- than Roosevelt, Roosevelt was the one who was more well-known for that activity. Roosevelt giving his policies to Taft.
Why did Taft call for a special session of Congress with the specific purpose of lowering the tariff?
Progressives favored a low tariff because high tariffs tended to benefit big business. Taft, being elected on progressive principles, promised a low tariff, declaring that he would veto any bill whose tariff reduction was not large enough for his liking. While Congress deliberated, the big-business favoring faction of the Republican party talked Taft into backing down. When the Payne-Aldrich Tariff -- which did not lower the tariff by much -- came to his desk, he signed it into law and called it the 'best tariff bill ever passed by Congress.' This irked progressives -- especially those in the progressive wing of the Republican Party, who felt double-crossed.
What party did Taft support?
While Congress deliberated, the big-business favoring faction of the Republican party talked Taft into backing down. When the Payne-Aldrich Tariff -- which did not lower the tariff by much -- came to his desk, he signed it into law and called it the 'best tariff bill ever passed by Congress.'.
Who was the first president to break up trusts?
Taft's predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, was called the 'Great Trust-Buster' for his administration's efforts to break up monopolies, or trusts. Three big trust breakups that occurred under Taft were Standard Oil, the American Tobacco Company, and the American Sugar Refining Company. However, Roosevelt blasted Taft when the administration moved to break up U.S. Steel. By 1911, Taft had eased efforts to bust trusts due to his big-business connections, irking progressives. Even though Taft had more trust-busting prosecutions -- 99 -- than Roosevelt, Roosevelt was the one who was more well-known for that activity.
Who was the successor of Theodore Roosevelt?
William Howard Taft took office in 1909 as the hand-picked successor to Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt, champion of the progressive movement, expected Taft to carry on his agenda. Taft started by doing so, but as his term continued and he talked to more old-guard Republicans in Congress, he began to take more traditionally conservative approaches ...
What did Taft do to the American public?
American duties were high and the public wanted them lowered. While the House did this, the Senate raised many rates. Taft, not wanting to tell Congress what to do, signed the regressive Payne-Aldrich Tariff, thus losing the support of Progressive Republicans.
What did Taft do for the state of Arizona?
Taft got the Interstate Commerce Commission power to control railroad rates, and telephone, telegraphy and radio services. Political patronage was reduced by putting 35,000 postmasters, 20,000 skilled Navy shipyard workers, and diplomats in the Civil Service system. He unified the federal budget, supported separate departments of commerce and labor, and approved statehood for Arizona and New Mexico. A treaty protecting Pacific seals was signed. For small depositors a postal savings bank system was established. Rural areas got parcel post delivery, cheaper than express company service.
Why was Taft important to the Supreme Court?
Taft was liked by the Supreme Court's other judges, and worked hard to reduce the backlog of cases, as he said the poor suffered by the delay. He lobbied for legislation letting the Court focus on Constitutional issues and major federal legislation. He convinced Congress to pay for a Supreme Court building, unified the federal judiciary, created an advisory council of senior judges and got flexibility to reassign them when a district's caseload increased.
What were Taft's views on race?
Taft's racial views were contradictory. He called Filipinos ''little brown brothers,'' but treated them as social equals. He was against prejudice and said Afro-Americans should vote, but would not interfere in the ''domestic affairs'' of Southern states. When asked, he removed people of color from federal positions, saying this race of people would always be farmers.
Who ran against Taft in 1912?
In 1912 an angry Roosevelt ran as a third party candidate against Taft. Both lost to Woodrow Wilson, with Taft only carrying 2 states. In 1921 President Harding named him Chief Justice, which is what he always wanted.
Who was lost between Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson?
William Howard Taft gets lost between Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Often he is remembered as having serious weight issues and special bathtubs. But as both President and Chief Justice he laid down important ideas about federal powers.
Was Taft more conservative than Roosevelt?
Taft soon showed he was more conservative than Roosevelt, and started replacing Roosevelt's appointees with businessmen. Also, he lacked experience working with Congress. Both factors hurt him in the tariff fight. American duties were high and the public wanted them lowered. While the House did this, the Senate raised many rates. Taft, not wanting to tell Congress what to do, signed the regressive Payne-Aldrich Tariff, thus losing the support of Progressive Republicans.
What did Taft refuse to fight for?
In the end, however, he refused to fight for his convictions and lamely accepted the protectionist Payne-Aldrich Tariff. Conservation. The widely publicized Ballinger-Pinchot Controversy left the impression that Taft was not interested in preserving the nation’s natural treasures.
What was Taft's legacy?
His domestic legacy included the following: Trust-busting. During the Taft administration, more than twice the number of antitrust suits were ...
What was Taft's goal in 1908?
Tariff Reform. Taft pledged tariff reform during the campaign of 1908 and appeared initially to pursue that goal.
What amendments did Taft support?
Constitutional Amendments. President Taft worked hard for the ratification of the 16th Amendment (authorizing a federal income tax). This measure had been pushed through Congress with the enthusiastic help of tariff reformers, who realized that another source of revenue would be needed if downward revision of the tariff were accomplished. The 17th Amendment (direct election of U.S. Senators) was unenthusiastically endorsed by Taft.
What was Taft successful in?
Business Regulation. Taft was successful in urging Congress to strengthen the powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission. The Mann-Elkins Act of 1910 provided:
What did Taft do in 1911?
By 1911, Taft began to back away from his efforts to tame the trusts. He was influenced in part by his conservative advisors, who wanted the government to give free rein to the giant businesses. Taft also feared that trust-busting was beginning to have a negative impact on the overall economy.
Why did Taft veto the statehood bill?
Taft had initially vetoed the statehood bills because the state constitutions provided for the recall of judges. Once that provision was removed, the president gave his consent. Civil Service Reform.
What did Taft do in the 1890s?
He supported the right of labor to organize and strike, and he ruled against employers in several negligence cases." Among these was Voight v. Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway Co. Taft's decision for a worker injured in a railway accident violated the contemporary doctrine of liberty of contract, and he was reversed by the Supreme Court. On the other hand, Taft's opinion in United States v. Addyston Pipe and Steel Co. was upheld unanimously by the high court. Taft's opinion, in which he held that a pipe manufacturers' association had violated the Sherman Antitrust Act, was described by Henry Pringle, his biographer, as having "definitely and specifically revived" that legislation.
What did William Taft do as a child?
William Taft was not seen as brilliant as a child, but was a hard worker ; his demanding parents pushed him and his four brothers toward success, tolerating nothing less. He attended Woodward High School in Cincinnati. At Yale College, which he entered in 1874, the heavyset, jovial Taft was popular and an intramural heavyweight wrestling champion. One classmate said he succeeded through hard work rather than by being the smartest, and had integrity. He was elected a member of Skull and Bones, the Yale secret society co-founded by his father, one of three future presidents (with George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush) to be a member. In 1878, Taft graduated second in his class of 121. He attended Cincinnati Law School, and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1880. While in law school, he worked on The Cincinnati Commercial newspaper, edited by Murat Halstead. Taft was assigned to cover the local courts, and also spent time reading law in his father's office; both activities gave him practical knowledge of the law that was not taught in class. Shortly before graduating from law school, Taft went to Columbus to take the bar examination and easily passed.
What was Taft's secret society?
He was elected a member of Skull and Bones, the Yale secret society co-founded by his father, one of three future presidents (with George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush) to be a member. In 1878, Taft graduated second in his class of 121. He attended Cincinnati Law School, and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1880.
How tall was Taft?
Taft is remembered as the heaviest president; he was 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and his weight peaked at 335–340 pounds (152–154 kg) toward the end of his presidency, although this later decreased, and by 1929 he weighed just 244 pounds (111 kg). By the time Taft became chief justice, his health was starting to decline, and he carefully planned a fitness regimen, walking 3 miles (4.8 km) from his home to the Capitol each day. When he walked home after work, he would usually go by way of Connecticut Avenue and use a particular crossing over Rock Creek. After his death, the crossing was named the Taft Bridge.
When did Taft die?
He died at his home in Washington D.C. on March 8, 1930 at age 72. Taft lay in state at the United States Capitol rotunda.
Where is Taft on the Supreme Court?
The U.S. Supreme Court in 1925. Taft is seated in the bottom row, middle.
Where was William Taft born?
Early life and education. Yale College photograph of Taft. William Howard Taft was born September 15, 1857, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Alphonso Taft and Louise Torrey. The Taft family was not wealthy, living in a modest home in the suburb of Mount Auburn.
What did Taft do to help Europe?
Taft also tried to reduce America’s interference in Europe’s affairs. Instead he turned his attention to Latin American and East Asian countries, where he provided financial aid in exchange for diplomatic influence (i.e. the Dollar Diplomacy). All of his efforts were aimed at fulfilling the Monroe Doctrine on the American continent.
Why was Taft reluctant to take President Roosevelt's offer?
Initially, Taft was reluctant to take President Roosevelt’s offer. This was due to his commitment to the people of the Philippines. As secretary of war, Taft supervised the construction of Panama Canal, which was completed in August 1914.
What did Taft do for the Philippines?
Opposed to colonial rule, Taft during his tenure as governor-general of the Philippines worked very hard to get Filipinos ready for self-government. He was against any maltreatment of Filipinos as racially inferior to Americans. He established programs in education, health, agriculture and arts that uplifted the socio-economic livelihoods of Filipinos. Owing to his devotion to the Philippines, a number places in the country were named after him.
How many antitrust lawsuits did the Taft administration file?
The Taft administration, which was one term by the way, filed over 70 antitrust lawsuits against big businesses in the manufacturing, oil and railway industry. To put into perspective just how staggering that number was; Theodore Roosevelt’s close-to-eight year’s administration filed just under 40 cases.
What did Taft do to advance America's interest in Latin America?
Taft also made sure that the diplomats and State Department’s officials had adequate training in order to advance America’s interest through diplomacy and the various consuls in Latin America.
How many electoral votes did Taft win?
The American people backed Taft and voted him into the White House. Taft won 321 electoral votes, compared to Bryan’s 162. He also pulled close to 52% of the popular votes as against Bryan’s 43.04%. On March 4, 1909, Taft was sworn into the White House as the our nation’s 27 th President.
How old was Taft when he was appointed?
Taft was at a remarkable young age of 29 at the time of his appointment. The Ohio-born worked very hard to clear all outstanding cases that had been sitting in the office. In his two-year stay in the office, he won 15 out of 18 cases he presented before the nation’s highest court.
What was Taft's advantage as President?
Taft's major advantage as President then came into play: his control of federal patronage. Consequently, he was able to hold the delegates from southern states. In addition, he controlled the Republican National Committee, which decided on any challenges of delegates from the primaries.
Why did Taft run for second term?
After four years in the White House, Taft agreed to run for a second term, principally because he felt compelled to defend himself against Roosevelt's attacks on him as a traitor to reform. The former friends and allies had become bitter opponents.
What did Taft say about the French Revolution?
Taft responded in a speech on April 25, 1912, declaring that a Roosevelt victory would institute a reign of terror similar to that following the French Revolution. Thereafter, the fight became a free-for-all, with Taft hitting back at Roosevelt constantly.
How many electoral votes did Taft win?
His victory was overwhelming. He carried all but three states outside the Democratic Solid South and won 321 electoral votes to Bryan's 162. In the final tally for the popular vote, Taft won 7,675,320 (51.6 percent) to Bryan's 6,412,294 (43.1 percent). Socialist candidate Eugene V. Debs won just 2.8 percent of the popular vote, or 420,793.
How many votes did Taft get?
The final count gave Taft 702 votes (491 votes were needed to win) in a field of seven nominees. The Democrats once again nominated William Jennings Bryan, the twice-defeated candidate who still personified the populist politics of the Democratic Party and the moral fervor of its "silverite" wing.
What was the significance of the 1912 election?
Moreover, when the Roosevelt, Wilson, and Debs votes are combined, the election of 1912 represents a stunning victory for progressivism, or reform, at the national level. Taft's policies had been decisively repudiated by the end of his term.
Where did Taft stay in Virginia?
He retreated to the golf course at a resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, where he stayed for much of the next three months.
Permits
For information on organized First Amendment Rights activities, commercial filming or photography and to distribute written materials on park grounds, please visit the Permits section. There you will find downloadable forms for a Special Use Permit and a Commercial Filming/Still Photography Permit.
Superintendent's Compendium
The Superintendent's Compendium is the summary of park specific rules implemented under the discretionary authority of the park Superintendent. This document includes park designations, closures, permit requirements, and other restrictions for William Howard Taft National Historic Site.
Firearms, Weapons & Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Legislation: As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws to legally possess firearms in this park. Firearms and other dangerous weapons* are not permitted in any building on park grounds.
Why was Taft a success?
However, Taft was able to take over the negotiations that they were having with the railroads at the time. This allowed him to get better prices from the railroads. This was a major benefit for the commerce and was viewed as a major success during his presidency.
What role did Taft play in the railroad?
Postal Service. Not only did he play a role in railroad rates, but Taft was also instrumental in propelling the US postal service through. There was a time when the postal service was failing, but Taft did everything in his power to save it.
Was Taft a tax reformer?
This means that Taft was a huge factor in tax reform and the taxes as we know them today got their start under Taft. This was government reform that Taft was able to pass during the beginning of his presidency. Even though he passed tax reform, it did not hamper his popularity with the people.
Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act
Constitutional Amendments
- Taft pushed on the passage of the 16th Amendment, which authorizes federal income tax. Under this measure, Congress was allowed to impose any tax on any income made by all Americans. It was thrust into Congress through the aid of tariff reformers. They deemed that another fountainhead of revenue if the government gears towards a drastic downward revision of the poli…
Mann-Elkins Act of 1910
- The Mann-Elkins Act of 1910 was part of Taft’s initiative to cease and control unfair trade and practices and competition. The federal law extended the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 and provided the Interstate Commerce Commission or ICC with better authority. ICC was given the power to set or suspend railroad rates. Their control and coverage were also extended over tele…
Trust-Busting
- Theodore Roosevelt, Taft’s predecessor, was renowned as the ‘Great Trust-Buster’ for his government’s efforts to destroy trusts or monopolies. Taft, however, proved to be a more aggressive trust-buster. Some of the big ‘breakups’ made under Taft’s term included the American Sugar Refining Company, Standard Oil, and the American Tobacco company. Truth to be told, T…
Civil Rights
- Booker T. Washington, the African-American leader Civil rights for African-Americans was not of Taft’s priority. He met Booker T. Washington, a publicly-supported African-American leader, for pushing the cause of African-Americans. Taft suggested Washington steer away from politics. He said that what Washington’s people needs for their advancement are entrepreneurship and educ…
United States Postal Savings System
- United Postal Savings System’s certificate of $5 deposit in 1932 Taft suggested that the Post Office Department should act as a bank and receive small deposits. While the thought was rejected by known conservationists such as Speaker of the House Joseph Cannon and Senator Aldrich, Taft was still able to pursue the passage of the law and established the United States P…
to The White House
Domestic Problems
- Taft soon showed he was more conservative than Roosevelt, and started replacing Roosevelt's appointees with businessmen. Also, he lacked experience working with Congress. Both factors hurt him in the tariff fight. American duties were high and the public wanted them lowered. While the House did this, the Senate raised many rates. Taft, not wanting to tell Congress what to do, …
Positive Achievements
- Taft got the Interstate Commerce Commission power to control railroad rates, and telephone, telegraphy and radio services. Political patronage was reduced by putting 35,000 postmasters, 20,000 skilled Navy shipyard workers, and diplomats in the Civil Service system. He unified the federal budget, supported separate departments of commerce and labor...
Race Relations and Dollar Diplomacy
- Taft's racial views were contradictory. He called Filipinos ''little brown brothers,'' but treated them as social equals. He was against prejudice and said Afro-Americans should vote, but would not interfere in the ''domestic affairs'' of Southern states. When asked, he removed people of color from federal positions, saying this race of people would always be farmers. The president believ…
Supreme Court Years
- In 1912 an angry Roosevelt ran as a third party candidate against Taft. Both lost to Woodrow Wilson, with Taft only carrying 2 states. In 1921 President Harding named him Chief Justice, which is what he always wanted.