William Howard Taft The 27th President Term was 1908-1912 Republican                                                          The 27th President Term was 1908-1912 Republican Appointed by Teddy himself to succeed him

Taft Distinguished jurist, effective administrator, but a poor politician. Taft spent four uncomfortable years in the White House. He was a large, jovial, conscientious man. Caught in a battle. He was caught in the intense battle between the Progressives and conservatives in his party.

Brief Bio Born in 1857 the son of a distinguished judge Graduated from Yale Studied and practiced law in Cincinnati. Rose in politics through Republican judiciary appointments. The route to the White House was via administrative posts. Secretary of War under Roosevelt’s Administration. Roosevelt then nominated him as his successor. He served one term After his presidency he taught law at Yale for 8 years. In 1921 he was appointed chief justice for the Supreme Court by President Harding. He also rose because of his own competence and availability. Still Taft preferred law to politics. As a chief justice, Taft wrote that “in present life I don’t remember that I ever was President” He initiated in 1910 the popular presidential custom of throwing out the first ball of the jajor league baseball season.

The campaign “one of the most uncomfortable four months of my life.” Progressives were happy to have him in the west. Conservatives were happy to have him in the east. (They got rid of Roosevelt).

As president Taft didn’t believe in stretching of Presidential powers. Taft alienated many liberal Republicans who later formed the Progressive Party. Taft signed the Payne-Aldrich Tariff after campaigning to cut tariffs. This continued high tariffs Taft appointed Richard A Ballinger as secretary of the interior. Taft a conservative wanted to leave things as they were. The House duly passed the Payne bill, which would lower rates on many manufacture goods. In the Senate, however, conservative Republicans eliminated most of the cuts. Amid crises of betrayal form the progressive wing of h8is party, Taft signed the The Payne-Aldrich Tariff. Richard A. Ballinger was a wealthy Seattle lawyer who disapproved of conservation on western lands.

Accomplishments His administration initiated 90 antitrust suits The Congress submitted to the states amendments for a Federal income tax and the direct election of senators. Interstate Commerce Commission was directed to set railroad rates.