Welcome back to Part Twenty-Five! It’s time for the president who didn’t actually get stuck in a bath tub, the one who truly liked to trust bust. Let’s dive into the administration of William Howard Taft:
Inauguration- 4th March 1909
William Howard Taft was inaugurated on this day inside the Senate chamber in the US Capitol. He was sworn in by Chief Justice Melville Fuller. The weather was poor, with ten inches of snow that finished early afternoon and a blizzard that forced the inauguration inside. It was 8C/47F at noon. Fuller accidentally flubbed the last lines of the oath (he would die less than a year later). Taft had the second-longest inaugural address of all time, clocking in at 5,426 words. His lengthy address discussed the many things he had planned for the presidency. An inaugural ball was held, the last one for forty years.
Nellie Taft has a stroke- 17th May 1909
Helen ‘Nellie’ Taft suffered a stroke on this day. Nellie Taft had dreamt of being First Lady ever since childhood, and had pushed her husband into a political career as opposed to a judicial one. She took a year to get better, even though she never fully recovered.
Signs the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act- 6th August 1909
Taft signed the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act on this day. Republicans, particularly the progressive wing, supported lower or no tariffs. He responded to this by signing the act, which lowered tariffs by around 5%, but also increased them on other products. It also created the Court of Custom Appeals.
Visits Mexico- 16th October 1909
Taft visited Mexico on this day. Part of a tour that included western and southern states, it was the first presidential visit to their neighbour country. During the summit, security stopped an attempted assassin who was within a metre of Taft and President Porfirio Díaz.
Charles Evan Hughes joins the Supreme Court for the first time- 10th October 1910
Charles Evan Hughes joined the Supreme Court for the first time on this day. He would resign the bench to run for the presidency in 1916, act as Secretary of State under Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge, and then succeed Taft as Chief Justice in 1930.
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire- 25th March 1911
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire happened on this day. A fire broke out at a clothing factory in New York City. Doors were locked and there were no sprinklers in the building, leading to workers becoming trapped or having to jump from the roof and windows. 146 people, mainly girls and young women, were killed. There was an outcry, especially as there were photographs of bodies strewn on the street. The owners, who escaped the blaze, were later found not guilty of manslaughter, but had to pay a fine and compensation. One of them would later be fined for doing the same. The tragedy led to a raft of labour reforms.
Standard Oil Co of New Jersey v United States is decided- 15th May 1911
Standard Oil Co of New Jersey v United States was decided by the Supreme Court on this day. In a 8-1 ruling, the court decided that Standard Oil had illegally monopolised the market, in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Standard Oil was forced to break up into a multitude of other companies, and was fined. Another decision came through, however, that only ‘unreasonable’ acts could be banned by antitrust laws. John D. Rockefeller, the founder, became the world’s first billionaire in 1916.
Begins Tour of the Western United States- 1st October 1911
Taft began a tour of the Western United States on this day.
Files antitrust suit against US Steel Corporation- 26th October 1911
An antitrust suit was filed by Taft and the government against the US Steel Corporation on this day. Named defendants included some of the most prominent men of the time- Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie and J.P. Morgan. Theodore Roosevelt was mentioned as having been complicit in anticompetitive behaviour, something that angered him. It wasn’t until 1920 that a case was brought up against the Supreme Court.
Ends Tour of the Western United States- 1st November 1911
Taft’s tour ended on this day. He visited twenty-six states, a record at the time, and by some estimates made 200 stops and 400 speeches/remarks.
Sun Yat-Sen becomes provisional president of the Republic of China- 1st January 1912
Sun Yat-Sen became the provisional president of the new Republic of China on this day. The new republic was initially on shaky ground, but the failure of the former emperor meant reestablishment in 1916. The new republic enjoyed a strong early relationship with America, but the events would soon cloud the skies.
New Mexico is admitted to the Union- 6th January 1912
New Mexico became the 47th state on this day. Even today, residents are disbelieved by people who don’t think it’s a state. That includes the former governor.
Troops are mobilized at the Mexican Border- 3rd February 1912
The Mexican Revolution was causing instability at the US’s southern border. Taft had 15,000 troops mobilised.
Arizona is admitted to the Union- 14th February 1912
Arizona became the 48th state on this day.
Theodore Roosevelt announces that he’d accept the Republican nomination- 24th February 1912
Theodore Roosevelt announces that he’d accept the Republican nomination if asked on this day. Taft had been his chosen successor, but Roosevelt had been disappointed in him and a rift had formed between the once good friends. Whilst Roosevelt hadn’t officially thrown his hat in the ring, it was a sign that he would challenge Taft. Taft had certainly planned to run again, so it was a sign of trouble.
First cherry trees are planted in DC- 27th March 1912
DC’s iconic cherry trees were planted for the first time on this day. Nellie Taft was a leading force in this, having been introduced to the idea by Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore, and having seen them herself when living in Japan. After selecting a location, Nellie and Viscountess Iwa Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador, planted the first seeds. The cherry trees have been one of DC’s most beloved and popular attractions for over a century, and their bloom is celebrated every year.
Sinking of the Titanic– 15th April 1912
The ‘Unsinkable’ RMS Titanic sank on this day. Lauded as being the fastest and grandest ship in the world, its guests included some of the richest and most famous people of the age. The Titanic was on course to break records when it hit an iceberg. Famously, the ship did not have enough lifeboats, and confused orders over ‘women and children first’ meant that they were often lowered half-full. Of approximately 2,208 souls on board, 1,517 died, mainly men. Some of the famous people on board were Archibald Gracie IV (died months later), John Jacob Astor IV (wealthiest man on the ship, died), Benjamin Guggenheim (died), Isidor and Ida Straus (died), Margaret ‘Molly’ Brown (survived), Archibald Butt (died), the Countess of Rothes (survived), Captain Edward Smith (died), Thomas Andrews (died) and J. Bruce Ismay (survived). Major Archibald Butt was a military advisor and close friend of Taft. The president wept at Butt’s funeral. Many of the men died with dignity and bravery, and many women refused to leave their husbands and sons. It remains an object of great fascination over a century later.
Marines are sent to protect Guantanamo- 5th June 1912
US Marines were sent to Guantanamo on this day. Guantanamo, now property of the Americans, was under threat from rebellion in the area.
Signs Act creating eight hour work day- 19th June 1912
Taft signed an act creating an eight hour work day for all workers with federal contracts on this date.
Theodore Roosevelt wins Progressive Party nomination- 5th August 1912
Having been denied the Republican Party nomination, Theodore Roosevelt became the nominee for the Progressive Party, also known as the Bull Moose Party. His running mate was California Governor Hiram Johnson. They would likely be a threat to the Republicans come the election.
Marines arrive in the Nicaraguan Canal Zone- 14th August 1912
Marines arrived in the Nicaraguan Canal Zone on this day. Americans had been involved in the area as part of the so-called ‘Banana Wars,’ and were concerned about their interests in the area. Marines would remain there until 1933.
Death of VP James Sherman- 31st October 1912
Vice President James Sherman died on this day. Sherman was 57, and had died of Bright’s disease, an illness which had killed Chester A. Arthur and Alice Roosevelt. He was the seventh and most recent of the vice presidents to die in office. Taft and Sherman had a shaky relationship initially, but became good colleagues and perhaps friends. With six days before the election, Taft had no running mate and had to quickly replace him with Nicholas Murray Butler.
Loses reelection- 5th November 1912
Taft lost reelection on this day, the first president to do so in twenty years. He was beaten to second place by Roosevelt and the Progressive Party, allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win the White House. This finalised the split between Roosevelt and Taft, who would not talk for many years.
Sixteenth Amendment is ratified- 25th February 1913
The Sixteenth Amendment was ratified on this day. To the ire of libertarians everywhere, it allowed the government to create income tax without basing it on states’ population, and by any source. It’s one of the least popular amendments, along with the 18th.
Leaves office- 4th March 1913
William Howard Taft left office on this day, handing the keys to the White House over to Woodrow Wilson. Immediately following this, Taft became a professor at his alma mater Yale. He briefly met Roosevelt again, but they barely spoke. They met again by chance at breakfast in May 1918, where they finally reconciled. Taft attended Roosevelt’s 1919 funeral. In 1921, Taft was nominated by President Warren G. Harding to his dream role- Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He served for nearly nine years. During this time, the heavy Taft lost weight after embracing dieting and exercise. Illness forced him to resign on the 3rd February 1930. William Howard Taft died on the 8th March 1930, aged seventy-two. He is the first of two presidents and several Supreme Court justices to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His beloved wife Nellie died in 1943 and is buried with him. Taft is seen as an average president, often forgotten between the almost-universally revered Theodore Roosevelt and controversial Woodrow Wilson. He is, however, remembered as one of the finest Chief Justices, something he would surely be happier to know.
That’s it for William Howard Taft. Tune in next time for Woodrow Wilson, in which we’ll see him deal with WWI, suffrage and a new Europe.