Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-07-01
Senate Acts Promptly But
Four Members Vote
Against EX-President
TWO HIGHEST OFFICES
3crah and Johnson Lead Opposition
Harding Pays Trihute-Suprcme
Court To Meet in October

Washington, Jane &0.-Prcsid=at
Harding announced this afternoon
he appointment of former President
William Howard Taft to be Chief
Justice OF the Supreme Court, tc suc-
ecl the late Chief Justice Edward
y. White.
Confirmed by Scrate.
Within two hours a'5Hr receiving
he nomination the Sen had ordered
Mr.. Taft's confirmation by vote of
o to 4. Senators Bora johnson, Of
California, La Toilette Republicans,
md Watson. Of Georgia, Democrat,
opposed favorable actior.
Borah and Johnson led the fight on
he floor in opposition to Mr.. Taft,
vhilc be was defended by about q
lczen Senators, including Knox, Of
Pennsylvania; Kellogg, Of Minnesota,
md Willis. of Ohio, Republicans, ard
Underwood, of Alabama. minority
leader; Smith, Of South Carolina:
0verman, Of North Carolina, and
Droussard, Of Louisiana, Democrats.
Senator's Borah and Johnson were
understood to have centcred their
Eight on Mr.. Taft's legal training, oX-
neriencc and qualifications. Accord
ingto reports filtering out from the
Senate chamber, Senator Johnson was
aid to have declared that Mr.. Taft's
appointment was purely political
\ similar charge, it vas reported, was
made BY Senator Borah. 1t had been
The purpose Of Senate leaders to COLI
:ider this nomination in open ex-
rcutive session, but when opposition
vas discovered the plan was changed
and the doors closed.
Two Highest Offices.
The appointment Of Mr.. Taft rs
Chief Justice is unique in the history
# the country in that for the fr-t
line the same person has been called
% fill the two most important ard
',ustrous Offices in the United States,
hat of President and presiding officer
Of the nations highest tribunal.
Judge Taft's appointment does not
oome rs a surprise. At the time If
Chief Justice Whites death it was
aiken for granted or every hand that
he former President would be calloi
once more into the service of the
Government Other names were suG-
rested, of course, including Secretary
Il State Hughes, Associate Justices
Van Dcventer, Day and Pitney and
former Senator Sutherland But IN
Ill unofficial discussions the quaI'fi-
cations Of Mr. Taft stood out and his
appointment seemed forgone con-
,lusicn.
MIR. Taft's appointment to the Chef
Tusticeship was dictated not wholly
BY reason of his recognized ability IS
jurist, it was explained by the Pres
dent this afternoon. but because f
his wide and intimate knowledge Of
ne administ trative phases Of The
Government as well.
This practical knowledge. coupled
with the fine judgment Of the former
President, it was -itIed. ll' he Of in
astimablc value to the Department #
Justice and to the Judiciary Commit
tees of the House and Senate in the
court reorganization which it is
realized must be undertaken at oa"e.
Harding Pays Tribute.
Commenting directly upon tie
availability Of Mr.. Taft anc his fitne"s
for high judicial honors, the Prcsi-
Dent stated that the former President
s an outstanding figure in American
life; that long before he was elected
President he had proved himself in
able Judge and that since ne retired
from the bench he has been one #
the foremost administrators of the
nation.
The appointment was almost uni
versally approved in Washington and
the feeling here is thai the country
at large will applaud President Hard
ing for his choice.
So far as the appointee is con-
carncd, it is we'll snown to all MS
closer friends that since earl y man
hood he has entertained the ambition
to be Chief Justice of the United
States. II is said by many of these
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