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William Taft Autograph Letter Signed as President. Sold for Over $1,000.
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Exceptional William Howard Taft typed letter signed with his hand-edits and an additional autograph note signed, dated 31 January 1916, just two days after President Wilson nominated Louis Brandeis to the Supreme Court. Addressed to his close friend and Washington journalist, Gus Karger (who also happened to be Jewish), Taft rips Wilson’s ”Machiavellian” and ”satanic skill” in his selection of Brandeis, whom he calls ”cunning”, a ”hypocrite” and a ”power for evil”. Brandeis was the first Jewish member of the Supreme Court, and Taft writes that the ”clannishness” of Jews will prevent them from opposing Brandeis, in addition to much other content focused on Brandeis’ religion. Taft famously opposed Brandeis’ nomination to the Court, and this is one of the first letters by Taft where he discusses it; scholars have painted much of Brandeis’ opposition to pure anti-Seminitism, which this letter elucidates. Taft gets right into the criticism, beginning the letter with, ”Our worthy President has developed more qualities of Machiavelli than even I, with a full appreciation of the admirable roundness of his character, had suspected. When I think of the devilish ingenuity manifested in the selection of Brandeis, I can not but admire his finesse. Of course, joking aside, it is one of the deepest wounds that I have had as an American and a lover of of the Constitution and a believer in progressive Conservatism, that such a man as Brandeis could be put in the Court, as I believe he is likely to be. He is a muckraker, an emotionalist for his own purposes, a socialist, prompted by jealousy, a hypocrite, a man who has certain high ideals in his imagination, but who is utterly unscrupulous [handwritten] in method of reaching them [], a man of infinite cunning, of marked ability in that direction that hardly rises above the dignity of cunning, of great tenacity of purpose, and, in my judgement, of [handwritten] much [] power for evil. He is only one of nine on the Court, but one on the Court is often an important consideration; and even if the [handwritten] rest of the [] Court is against him, he has the opportunity to attack their judgements and weaken their force by insidious demagoguery, and an appeal to the restless element that can do infinite harm. I sincerely hope that he can be defeated in the Senate, but I don’t think so. Your description of the outburst against him when nominated, together with the dark brown taste in the mouth of protesting Senators the next morning, is an indication of the satanic skill in his selection. The intelligent Jews of this country are as much opposed to Brandeis’ nomination as I am, but there are politics in the Jewish community, which with their clannishness embarrass leading and liberal and clear-sighted Jews. I venture to think that the leading Jews of New York, Boston, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati and the other cities, who are not bound up in emotional uplifting, and who do not now tend to socialism, are as much troubled over this appointment and as indignant as any of us can be, but Brandeis’ foresight as to himself has strangled their expression lest they arouse bitter criticism against them [handwritten] selves [] by their own people. I talked with Isaac Ullman of New Haven, some little time ago about Brandeis. Isaac is on all the great Jewish committees, and he says there is a great feeling of antagonism toward Brandeis among the leading Jews, because his present superlative and extreme Judaism is a plant of very late growth. He says that he was no Jew until he was rejected by Wilson as Attorney-General, because the leading Jews of the country told Wilson that Brandeis was not a representative Jew. Since that time, Brandeis has adopted Zionism, favors the new Jerusalem, and has metaphorically been re-circumcised. He has gone all over the country making speeches, arousing the Jewish spirit, even wearing a hat in the Synagogue while making a speech in order to attract those bearded Rabbis whose invitation to the silver wedding in such numbers you promoted. If it were necessary, I am sure he would have grown a beard to convince them that he was a Jew of Jews. All this has made it politically difficult for not only the Jews but for anybody looking for office where there are Jews in the constituency, to hesitate about opposing Brandeis. The humor of the situation I can, not, even in the sorrow of the appointment, escape. When I consider the heartfelt indignation of [Senate Majority Leader Henry Cabot] Lodge and [Senator John W.] Weeks at having to alienate the Jews of Massachusetts, with their candidacies just before them, I derive some wicked amusement. Weeks is the candidate of the Shoe Machinery Company, and of all organizations in the country, Brandeis is anathema to them. Lodge’s friends in Boston, Major Higginson and others, regard Brandeis as the most exalted type of the dishonest trickster. Wilson has projected a fight, which with master art he will give the color of a contest, on one side of which will be ranged the opposition of corporate wealth and racial prejudice, and on the other side the downtrodden, the oppressed, the uplifters, the Labor unions, and all the elements which are supposed to have votes in the election. This will lead to the confirmation because of the white-livered Senators that we have. The Senate has been LaFolletized and Gomperized so that it has ceased to be the conservative body it was. But as so often happens in such a well devised Machiavellian scheme, the ultimate result is not going to be to Wilson’s advantage, if we nominate any man whose conservatism appeals to the business men. His willingness to put a socialist on the Bench, and a muckraker, will drive from him the element that he might call upon because he has saved us from war, and that is strong among the business men. This appointment will be remembered long after the excitement of the confirmation has passed away, and it will return to plague him, as it ought to. It is too ingenious and too unscrupulous. Machiavelli’s philosophy and policy were lacking in the same way. When you consider Brandeis’ appointment, and think that men were pressing me for the place, es ist zum lachen [it is laughable]. You know me well enough to know that my judgement on this subject is not in the slightest degree colored by the fact that men had suggested me for the place. I never for one moment credited the possibility of Wilson’s considering my name. The thoughts of the Judges of the Supreme Court, if they could be interpreted, would form interesting reading. I am coming down to Washington as you know, and I shall be glad to continue this subject when I meet you. It will probably have worked itself out then, thought there may be some people strong enough to continue the fight until then. Affectionately yours, [signed] Wm H Taft”. Taft continues the letter with an autograph note reading, ”Horace [Taft’s brother] writes he is delighted with the appointment but he would have preferred [labor lawyer Frank Walsh]. I have written him that he evidently doesn’t appreciate the perfectness of the nomination in all its phases. The only name in the same class is that of [Samuel] Gompers.” Four pages on 4 sheets, each measuring 8” x 10.5”. Discoloration and dampstaining to lower left of all pages, much of which can be framed out, uniform toning, and stain from paper clip on page 1, overall in fair to good condition. Sold for $10,000.
William Taft Supreme Court Signed Photo by All Nine
9.5″ x 9″ matte photo of the Taft Supreme Court, circa 1921, signed by all nine justices. William Howard Taft was the only President to become a U.S. Chief Justice. Appointed in July 1921, he is shown here seated in the middle of the front row. He signs, “Wm H. Taft”. The remaining eight justices are (front row) William R. Day, Joseph McKenna, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Willis Van Devanter, (back row) Louis D. Brandeis, Mahlon Pitney, James C. McReynolds and John H. Clarke. Taft served as Chief Justice until his death in 1930. The sepia photo by Clinedinst Studio is matted and framed to an overall size of 18″ x 17″. Creasing in signature area, else very good. Chipping to frame; paper backing has been removed. Overall very good. Sold for $3,411.
William Howard Taft letter signed, composed shortly after he lost re-election to Woodrow Wilson in 1912. In this letter, Taft expresses his animosity both towards Wilson and also the ”Bull Moose” party headed by Theodore Roosevelt, whose third party run split the Republican vote and swung the election in Wilson’s favor. Writing to his friend, journalist Gus Karger, Taft begins by criticizing the appointment of Francis Burton Harrison as Governor-General of the Philippines, specifically regarding Harrison’s four-times divorced status and also his ”light-waisted, ephemeral” demeanor. He then goes on to critique Wilson’s handling of the crisis in Mexico for its opportunism and inconsistencies; ”…Wilson…did not recognize Huerta just because it would give him an opportunity for a grant stand moral play…”
Taft’s 3pp. letter on three separate sheets measures 8” x 10.5”. Apart from a rusted paper clip attached at upper left, letter is in very good condition with folds and some haloing to typeface. Sold for $2,500.
Rare Signed Photo of William Taft and His Cabinet
Rare signed photo of William Taft as President and his cabinet, circa 1912. With ten signatures in total on the mount including Taft’s, signed “Wm H Taft” and: Secretary of State Philander C. Knox, Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of the Treasury Franklin MacVeagh, Secretary of Commerce & Labor Charles Negel, Attorney General George R. Wickersham, Secretary of the Navy George L. Meyer, Secretary of the Interior Walter L. Fisher, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson and Postmaster General Frank H. Hitchcock. Harris & Ewing photograph measures 13″ x 9.5″ on a 14″ x 11″ mount. Some silvering to darker portions of the photgraph, else very good condition. Sold for $1,500.
Theodore Roosevelt and William H. Taft 1907 Military Appointment Signed as President
Theodore Roosevelt military appointment signed as President, dated 2 May 1907, from Washington, D.C. Countersigned by Secretary of War William Taft. Document appoints Jacob M. Coward “Captain in the Artillery Corps”. Document measures 21″ x 16″, with toning, smoothed folds and a blue “War Office” seal in the lower left corner. Very good condition. Sold for $1,500.
Theodore Roosevelt & William Taft Document Signed
Theodore Roosevelt military appointment signed as President, dated 26 December 1905, from Washington, D.C. Countersigned by Secretary of War William Taft. Document appoints a John Lee Holcombe Second Lieutenant in the Artillery Corps and and is signed clearly, “Theodore Roosevelt” and “William H. Taft”. Includes original blue “War Office” seal in the lower left corner and two patriotic motifs flanking the writing. Document measures 15″ x 18.25″ with minor creasing. Framed to an overall size of 34.5″ x 26″. Near fine. Sold for $1,400.
William H. Taft typed letter signed on U.S. Supreme Court stationery. Dated 25 August 1921, just months after his confirmation as Chief Justice, Taft writes to his friend, journalist Gus Karger on a host of subjects including Congressional gossip, President Harding, taxes and a Supreme Court case regarding arbitration. He begins, ”…In respect to the house, Lieutenant-Governor [Alvan] Fuller has been exceedingly agreeable. I think he is glad to sell the house to me and to have me live in it. I get all the contents of the house, including some coal and wood, with the exception of a few things that have been taken out of it by Mrs. Fuller and with the exception of a piano which belongs to Mrs. Walters, who sold the house to the Fullers. The great bulk of everything in the houses passes with it. / I am very much interested in what you say about the work Congress has done. I much regret that the revenue bill was not made applicable to the taxes to be paid on the income for the current year. I don’t want to complain, but in this year in which I have made more money than in any year of my life, the present income tax law will make me pay very heavily. I shouldn’t wonder if it ran up to $32,000, or $8,000 every quarter. If my income were to continue at the same rate, of course this would not be so bad, but it now falls necessarily to considerably less than half what it was, and it means just a reduction of my principal and my permanent income. However, I am not kicking. / I am interested and troubled by the opposition that is developing among a small band of Republican politicians in the Senate, like Borah and La Follette, to the action of the Administration. Johnson does not seem to make himself prominent in it but of course he is anxious to help in any way to destroy Harding’s influence. I am sorry to have the railroad bill go over, and I am rather sorry to have Congress take a recess until the whole work is done…I am sorry to learn that there is any rivalry which may prevent Kelllogg’s coming back to the Senate. He professes that he does not wish to come back, but I suppose he would like to. I am a little surprised at what you say about Preuss. I thought he was a strong man and a courageous man…I am working along on my opinion in the arbitration case and am tonight dictating to Misch the last pages of the first draft of it. It will need a good deal of work after that…Affectionately yours, [signed] Wm H Taft”. Two page letter measures 8” x 10.5”. Written on front sides of two sheets, ideal for framing. Light toning and paperclip impression to upper left, otherwise near fine. Sold for $1,250.
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