William Taft on the Supreme Court
A Former President's Lifelong Dream Comes True
When President Harding appointed William Howard Taft to the Supreme Court in 1920, he helped him to fulfill a lifelong dream.
Since his earliest days as a lawyer and judge in Hamilton County, Ohio, William Howard Taft - soon to be President of the United States (1909-1913) - dreamed of nothing more than achieving the highest office in America's legal system - Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
While serving as Governor-General of the Philippines, Taft had even been offered a position as Associate Justice by President Roosevelt, though he had declined in order to serve his duties.
While President himself, Taft had appointed a total of 6 justices to the court in only 4 years, including a Cheif Justice in the person of Edward Douglas White - the third most ever appointed by a single President (the first two being George Washington, who appointed the entire first court, and Franklin Roosevelt, who was President for twelve years).
Harding's Appointment
When Chief Justice White died in 1921, leaving a vacancy in that highest seat, President Taft's lifelong goal finally came true. President Harding nominated the former Chief executive to the seat with very little opposition in congress.
William Howard Taft thus became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1921, where he would serve until just before his death in 1930 - the greatest achievement of his life. He was said to have remarked, in fact, "I don't remember that I ever was President."
Supreme Court Reformation
Though he personally wrote an opinion in 256 cases during his time in the Court, Taft's greatest achievements come from the steps he took to make the judiciary more effective.
Having been impressed by the efficiency of the British system, Taft travelled to England in 1922 in order to observe the system and to find a way to implement similar ideas in the United States. The result of his investigations into this was his advocacy of the Judiciary Act of 1925, which allowed the Court to try cases in order of national importance. In this way, the court could more efficiently move through cases of the highest priority.
Also included in this act was the granting of supervisory power over the lower federal courts by the Supreme court. Thus, the entire judiciary branch finally began to operate under a single entity, with the Cheif Justice at its head.
In addition to this, Taft also argued successfully for the construction of an official Supreme Court building, on the grounds that the separation of powers would be better exemplified if the court met somewhere other than in the capital. In addition, the new building would provide chambers for each justice - something not offered by the capital building.
Though the Courthouse would not be completed until 1935 - five years after Taft's death - it is one of his most visible legacies on the court today.
A Life Fulfilled
Despite having served as President of the United States for four moderately successful years, William Howard Taft found far greater fulfillment in serving as Chief Justice than in any other capacitate throughout his eventful life.
His entire career had revolved around understanding and defending the law, and as Chief Justice he had finally been afforded the opportunity to interpret the law based on his many years of experience. He ruled, for the most part, with moderation (once again going against the progressive republicans who had so opposed his reelection in 1912), presiding over several important cases, but very few which are truly memorable.
Taft resigned his seat only a month before his death in March of 1930, his life having been fulfilled by the opportunity to serve.
For more information:
The Rise of William Howard Taft
The Presidency of William Taft
References:
"William Howard Taft." American Presidents: An Online Reference Resource.
"Ohio Presidents." About.com.
"Biography of William Howard Taft." The White House.
