Evening star., 1921-07-01
TAFT NAMED AS CHIEF JUSTICE;
SENATE CONFIRMS HIM QUICKLY
Aspiration of Long Career
Gratified by President
Harding. I
Opposed by Some Senators,
But Indorsed by Men of
the South.

seventh president of the United
States. will be the next chief justice
of the United States, succeeding the
late Edward Douglass White. whom
he appointed to the position in 1910.
His nomination was sent to the
Senate late yesterday by President
Harding and confirmed in executive
session.
The commission of former Presi-
dent Taft as Chief Justice of the
United States was signed today by
Attorney General Daugherty in the
presence of Senator Willis of Ohio and
later was forwarded to the White
House for signature by President
Harding.
Henry Taft of New York. brother
Of the newly appointed Chief Justice.
called today at the White House TO
express his appreciation of the humor
done his brother. Mr.. Taft did not
see President Harding. but paid his
respects through Secretary Christian.
Mr.. Taft thus achieves a place in
the history of the nation that has
been reached by no other citizen. He
is the first man to be chosen for the
highest office in b%h the executive
ment
The nomination was not confirmed:
without opposition and roll CALI
was demanded. The opposition was
understood to have been voiced by
senators Borah. Idaho: johnson. Cali
fornia. and La Toilette. Wisconsin,
republicans. and Senator Watson.
= Georgia, democrat. The final vote
reached not to make public Eoll
call.
Appointment Made Early.
1t was indicated that President
Harding had acted SO far in advance
of the winter term of the Sup RENE
Court because he felt that the new
chief justice should have ample time
to reorganize the courts business be-
fore the reconvening October L.
Mr. Harding is understood to have
been advised by legal officers OF the
administration that all the federal
ness that prompt action during sum-
mer recess was necessary III order
to expedite litigation as much .as pos
sible.
Opposition Made.
The opposition to the Confirmation
of Mr.. Taft's nomination was led by
Senator Borah of Idaho and Senator
Johnson of California. republicans.
The discussion in the Senate was be-
hind closed doors. although Sug-
geStion had been made THAI Mr.. Taft
be confirmed in open executive ses-
sion as an honor to II former PreSl-
dent But opponents of the nomina-
ton were unwilling this :be done. 1t
is understood that Senator Borah Sug-
geSted the nomination should be re-
ferred to the Senate ju dietary COM
mittee, but that he yielded on this
point, with the understanding that
a record vote would be, had
Mr.. Tafts nomination was defend
ed by Senator Knox of Pennsylvania.
who was Secretary of State during
the Taft administration; Senator kel-
logg of Minnesota and Senator Willis
of Ohci. republicans. and by Senator
Cnd .rwood of Alaba ma, democratic
leader: Senator Smith, of South Caro-
lima senator Overmau of North Caro-
lima, and Senator Broussard of LouiSi-
ana, democrats.
Bornh Attacks.
While the discussion was not made
Tublic. it is understood that Senator
Borah attacked the appointment on
the ground that Mr.. Taft has not been
actively, connected with the law for
twenty years: that in all that period
he has not tried Il case or sat upon the
bench. He referred also to the fact
that Mr. Taft is siXty-three years old.
within seven years of the age of re-
tirement permitted by law.
We are taking. a man who has de-
voted his mature life to politics.. Mr..
Borah is reported to have said. "a
man who has heen active in politics
life"
Mr.. Borah is reported to have added
that when Mr.. Taft left the White
House he was mot willing to risk his
reputation at the bar" but had gone
into lecturing and writing. instead OF
resuming the practice of law. The Of
flee of Chief Justice. he said. calls
for the biggest legal brain in the
country. and calls for man who has
signified his whole-hearted devotion
to the profession.
Court n "Plaything."
I'VE republicans" MIR. Borah is re-
ported to have declared, drafted a
great lawyer from the Supreme bench
and showed him into politics frefer-
ring to the nomination of Mr.. Hughes
for President in 1870, and now we
are taking a politician and showing
him onto the Supreme bench. We are
making the Supreme Court a play
In a brief speech Senator Johnson
of California is reported to have as
serted that the appointment of Mr..
Taft was purely political"
Senator Johnson, it was stated, as
serted that MrSTaft had not regarded
himself as a lawyer, but as a poll
tician, and had abandoned" his pro-
fession after leaving the White House.
ed. said that he had tried to desre-
gard personal objections to the nomi-
nee. and was voicfng his opposition
solely because Mr.. Taft had lacked,
IOT nearly d generation OF more, any
legal experience which would fit him
for the highest judicial post Of the
nation.
The defense of Mr.. Taft, it was said,
was led by democrats. Senator Un-
derwood said that Mr.. TaH had made
himself beloved by the SOUTH" add
ing that this sentiment was due large
ly to Mr.. rart's appointment. when
President, or a southerner, the late
Chief Justice White. to the highest
judicial position of the country. Simi-
lar statements, it was reported, were
made by Senator Broussard OF Louis
lana, the native state of the late Chief
Justice.
Learning Is Praised.
Mr.. Tafts legal learning was
praised. it was said. by Senators Knox
and Willis, the latter referring to his
experience on the bench in Ohio.
Senator Kellogg, IT was said. re-
ferred to the positions of honor held
by Mr.. Taft in bar and similar asso-
Citations.
Southern senators, 1t was reported
with the exception of Mr.. Watson of
Georgia. were solidly behind the ap-
pointment. Senator Smith of South
Carolina, il was stated. discussed the
race question. commencing Mr.. Taft.
it was said. for refusing to appoint
any but white men to Office in South
Carolina.