The Taft Presidency The Reluctant President Even the elements do protest Taft s Inaugural Address
Dingley Tariff of 1897 Prices advanced more rapidly than wages. High cost of living blamed on unduly high tariff rates. Many including Taft believe that high rates encourage monopoly.
Congressman Sereno Payne s Bill Called for reductions in the tariff. Does not abandon the principle of protection. Senator Nelson Aldrich s Amendments Over 800 Amendments Many were designed to conceal higher tariff rates.
Who were the insurgents? Several Republican Senators that opposed the Old Guard. They want progressive reform. Use a filibuster to reveal how Aldrich and the high-tariff lobbyists were deceiving the people. Taft tries to persuade the Old Guard to reduce the rates.
Why does Taft approve the Payne-Aldrich Tariff? High duties on iron ore, coal, hides, and increases on other products. Bill allowed for a corporation tax which Taft wanted. Bill allowed for the establishment of a tariff commission to study tariff rates scientifically. Taft feared a split in his party between the Insurgents and the Old Guard.
Ballinger-Pinchot Controversy Secretary of the Interior Ballinger reopens land for private purchase in Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska that Roosevelt had set aside. Chief Forester Pinchot a conservationist loudly challenged these actions and accused Ballinger of fraud. Taft fires Pinchot for insubordination. Taft s siding with Ballinger seems to the public as a blow to conservation that Roosevelt started. Taft s popularity plummets and even though Ballinger had done no wrong he eventually resigns his post.
Joe G. Cannon: Speaker of the House Speaker s Power had grown! Appointed all committees. Decided which bill went to which committees. Control of debate on the floor of the House. Some measures pass without discussion. Some never reach the floor.
Uncle Joe Cannon:Speaker of the House Not one cent for scenery Speaker of the House Insurgents want to get rid of him. He used the power of his office to hold up progressive legislation. Cooperated with Aldrich during the tariff debacle in 1909. Opponent of conservation.
Once someone asked Cannon how he killed time. He answered, "Raising the tariff in the daytime and the ante at night." Taft tried to keep party harmony by backing Cannon. Taft s support of the Payne- Aldrich Tariff, Ballinger over Pinchot, and backing Cannon lost him the backing of the people. Congressional Elections of 1910 was a Democratic Sweep!
Why did Roosevelt return to the political arena? He was disappointed in Taft s performance in the White House. He observed that public opinion of Taft had grown worse.
Who did Roosevelt align himself with inside the Republican party? The Insurgents: now known as the Progressive Republicans or just Progressives. Roosevelt and Taft at the Inauguration
What is the New Nationalism The man who wrongly holds that every human right is secondary to his profit must now give way to the advocate of human welfare, who rightly maintains that every man holds his property subject to the general rights of the community to regulate its use to whatever degree the public welfare may require it. Teddy Roosevelt
What parts of Roosevelt s New Nationalism were radical? State and Federal legislation to actively promote human welfare including child labor laws, and laws to protect women in the workplace. Workers compensation. State judges be subject to recall. Supreme Court decisions to be reversible through popular vote.
What was the 16 th amendment? Gave Congress the power to collect income taxes. Becomes the law of the land in 1913. What was the 17 th amendment? Allowed for the direct election of Senators Becomes law of the land in 1913.
What two new states were added to the Union during Taft s presidency? New Mexico Arizona
Differences between Roosevelt and Taft Taft supported the Square Deal Taft believed he could only use the powers expressly authorized by law. Roosevelt believed he could do anything not forbidden. Taft was not effective in dramatizing an issue or enlisting public support for his ideas.