POTUS

William Howard Taft: A Rundown

Overview

William Howard Taft (1857-1930) was the 27th POTUS, serving from 1909 to 1913. He was also the 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a position he held from 1921 until his death. Often overshadowed by his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, and successor, Woodrow Wilson, Taft’s presidency is marked by both successes and failures in continuing the Progressivism|Progressive Era.

Key Events and Associations

• Governor-General of the Philippines (1901-1904): Taft played a crucial role in establishing civil governance in the United States’ new colony after the Spanish-American War. He focused on infrastructure development and improving relations with the Filipino people.
• Secretary of War (1904-1908): Under Theodore Roosevelt, Taft managed the construction of the Panama Canal and served as a troubleshooter for various domestic and international issues.
• Election of 1908: Taft, hand-picked by Theodore Roosevelt to be his successor, easily defeated William Jennings Bryan to win the presidency.
• Pinchot-Ballinger Controversy (1909-1910): This conflict between Gifford Pinchot (Chief of the Forest Service) and Richard Ballinger (Secretary of the Interior) highlighted the growing rift between Taft and the progressive wing of the Republicans. Pinchot accused Ballinger of undermining conservation efforts, and Taft’s decision to fire Pinchot alienated many Progressives.
• Election of 1912: Taft ran for reelection as the Republican candidate but faced a strong challenge from Theodore Roosevelt, who ran as a third-party candidate under the Bull Moose Party, and Woodrow Wilson, the Democrats candidate. The split in the Republican vote allowed Wilson to win the election.
• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1921-1930): Appointed by President Warren G. Harding, Taft became the only former president to serve as Chief Justice. He modernized the court’s administration and advocated for judicial reform.

Important Legislation Signed

• Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act (1909): Intended to lower tariffs, the act was heavily amended in Congress, resulting in only modest reductions and alienating Progressives who favored significant tariff reform.
• Mann-Elkins Act (1910): This act extended the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to regulate telephone, telegraph, and cable companies.
• Sixteenth Amendment (Proposed 1909, Ratified 1913): Taft supported the proposal of this amendment, which authorized Congress to levy an income tax.

Groups and Affiliations

• Republican Party: Taft was a lifelong Republican, but his presidency exposed deep divisions within the party between Progressives and conservatives.
• Supreme Court: As Chief Justice, Taft worked to improve the efficiency and prestige of the Supreme Court.
• Skull and Bones: As a student at Yale, Taft was a member of the secret society, Skull and Bones.

Impact on the Country

• Trust-Busting: Taft’s administration pursued more antitrust cases than Theodore Roosevelt’s, including a significant case against Standard Oil.
• Conservation: While often criticized for his handling of the Pinchot-Ballinger affair, Taft also established several national forests and reserved significant amounts of public land.
• Division within the Republican Party: The growing divide between Taft and the Progressive wing of the Republican Party, led by Theodore Roosevelt, ultimately led to the party’s split in the Election of 1912 and the election of Woodrow Wilson.
• Judicial Reform: As Chief Justice, Taft implemented reforms that streamlined the judicial process and increased the Supreme Court’s influence.

In conclusion, William Howard Taft’s presidency was a complex period marked by both accomplishments and political challenges. While he continued some of the Progressive reforms of his predecessor, his conservative leanings and handling of key issues led to a major rift within the Republicans and ultimately contributed to his defeat in the Election of 1912. Despite the controversies, Taft made significant contributions to the country through his trust-busting efforts, conservation policies, and, later, his leadership on the Supreme Court.