News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1921-07-06
taft Chief OF
SUPREME COURT
Negative Votes Cast by Borah,
Johnson, la Toilette, RepubIi-
cans, and Watson Democrat.
SENATE CONFIRMS, 60 TO a
Appointment Attacked as Purely PoIit,
ical-First Man in American His
tory to Hold Highest Execu-
-
tive and Judicial Offices

ashington-Former President VIII
liam Howard Taft was nominated by
President Harding to be Chief Justice
of the United States Supreme Court
and his nomination was confirmed by
tie senate in executive session
The nomination was not confirmed
without opposition, however, and roll
call was demanded. The opposition
was understood to have been voiced
by Senators Borah Qdaho), Johnson
(Cal.), and La Toilette CWis.), all Re-
publicans, who were Saidsto have criti-
cised Mr.. Taft's record and his nomi-
nation. On the roll call, however, only
four votes were cast against cOntirma-
ton. These were by Senators Borah,
johnson and La Toilette, and Senator
Watson (Ga), Democrat. The final
vote was GO to 4. An agreement was
reached not to make public the roll
call.
The senate's doors were closed for
discussion of the nomination after sug-
gestions that Mr.. Taft be confirmed in
'open executive" session, because he is
a former President, had been rejected
by his opponents.
Senators BOrah and Johnson led the
fight on the floor in opposition to Mr..
Taft, while he was defended by about
a dozen senators, including Knox of
Pennsylvania, kellogg, of Minnesota,
and Willis of Ohio, Republicans, and
Underwood of Alabama, minority lead
err Smith of South Carolina, Overman
of North Carolina and Brussard of
Louisiana, Democrats.
Senators Borah and Johnson were
understood to have conferred their fight
on Mr.. Taft's legal training, experience
and qualifications. According to re-
ports tiltering out from the senate
chamber Senator Johnson was said
to have declared that Mr. Taft's APP
pointment was purely political" \
Similar charge, it was reported, was
made by Senator Borah.
Senator johnson, it was stated, as |
serted that Mr. Taft had not regarded |
himself as a lawyer but as a politician |
and had "abandOned'' his profession |
after leaving the White House The
California senator, it was reported, !
said that he had tried to disregard
personal objections to the nominee and
was voicing his opposition solely be-
cause Mr.. Taft had lacked, for nearly
a generation, or --ore, any legal eX- |
perience which would fit him for the
highest judicial post of the nation.
Reference was made, it was said, by
Senator Borah, to the drafting" from
the supreme bench by the Republican
party of Secretary Hughes to become
the Presidential candidate of the Re
publican party. In this connection it
was stated that Mr.. BOrah made the
statement that, t"having taken an able
lawyer from the supreme bench four
years ago and made politician of
him, it was now proposed to take a
politician-a man who has devoted
practically his mature life to politics
and put him on the supreme bench in
the interest of party politics."
The defense of Mr.. Taft, it was said,
was led by Democrats. Senator Under
wood said that Mr.. Taft had made
himself beloved by the South" adding /
that this sentiment was due largely to
Mr.. Taft's appointment, when Presi-
dent, of a Southerner, the late Chief
Justice White, to the highest judicial
position Of the country Similar state
ments, it was reported were made by
Senator Broussard, of Louisiana, the
native state'of the late chief justice.
Mr.. Taft's legal learning was praised.
1t was said, by Senators Knox and
Willis, the latter referring TO his ex- ;
perience on the bench in Ohio.
Senator kellogg, it was said, re-
ferred to the position of honor held
BY Mr.. Taft in bar and similar associa-
ions
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, Re !
publican leader, and Senator Bran
legee, Republican, of Connecticut.
where Mr.. Taft resides, did not join ,
N the discussion, it was said. !