Remembering Big Bill Taft
On March 8, 1930 (82 years ago today) William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, died at the age of 72. Besides being President of the United States, Taft was also the tenth Chief Justice of Supreme Court of the United States from 1921 to 1930 and is the only person to have served in both offices. He and James K. Polk, are the only two presidents to have also headed another branch of the federal government. (Polk served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, making him the head of the legislative and executive branches.)
Before becoming President, Taft served on the Ohio Supreme Court, as Solicitor General of the United States and as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In 1900, President William McKinley appointed Taft Governor-General of the Philippines. In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Taft Secretary of War. Taft had been Roosevelt's closest political ally, and was handpicked by Roosevelt to be his successor as President. Taft won an easy victory in his 1908 bid for the presidency. As President, Taft's domestic agenda emphasized trust-busting, civil service reform, strengthening the Interstate Commerce Commission, improving the performance of the postal service, and passage of the Sixteenth Amendment allowing taxation without apportionment among the states.
On the world stage, Taft sought to promote the economic development of nations in Latin America and Asia through "Dollar Diplomacy". Taft was oblivious to the political ramifications of his decisions, often alienated key supporters and lost the support of his mentor Roosevelt, who ran against Taft, first for the Republican nomination and later for the Presidency. Taft was overwhelmingly defeated in his bid for a second term in the 1912 election.
In 1921, President Warren G. Harding appointed Taft Chief Justice of the United States. Taft served in this capacity until shortly before his death in 1930. He is the only former president to administer the oath of office to another President and the only Chief Justice to serve with associate justices whom he had appointed to the court. Taft retired as Chief Justice on February 3, 1930 because of ill health. Charles Evans Hughes, whom Taft had appointed to the Court, succeeded him. Five weeks following his retirement, Taft died on March 8, 1930. Taft was the first president to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He is the only Chief Justice to have had a state funeral.
Before becoming President, Taft served on the Ohio Supreme Court, as Solicitor General of the United States and as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In 1900, President William McKinley appointed Taft Governor-General of the Philippines. In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Taft Secretary of War. Taft had been Roosevelt's closest political ally, and was handpicked by Roosevelt to be his successor as President. Taft won an easy victory in his 1908 bid for the presidency. As President, Taft's domestic agenda emphasized trust-busting, civil service reform, strengthening the Interstate Commerce Commission, improving the performance of the postal service, and passage of the Sixteenth Amendment allowing taxation without apportionment among the states.
On the world stage, Taft sought to promote the economic development of nations in Latin America and Asia through "Dollar Diplomacy". Taft was oblivious to the political ramifications of his decisions, often alienated key supporters and lost the support of his mentor Roosevelt, who ran against Taft, first for the Republican nomination and later for the Presidency. Taft was overwhelmingly defeated in his bid for a second term in the 1912 election.
In 1921, President Warren G. Harding appointed Taft Chief Justice of the United States. Taft served in this capacity until shortly before his death in 1930. He is the only former president to administer the oath of office to another President and the only Chief Justice to serve with associate justices whom he had appointed to the court. Taft retired as Chief Justice on February 3, 1930 because of ill health. Charles Evans Hughes, whom Taft had appointed to the Court, succeeded him. Five weeks following his retirement, Taft died on March 8, 1930. Taft was the first president to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He is the only Chief Justice to have had a state funeral.