Evening star., 1921-07-01
Chief Justice Taft.


familiar sound. Yet it was only con-
ferred yesterday, by nomination oS
President Harding and appropriately
immediate confirmation by the senate
nv a vote that was to all intents and
purposes unanimous. This comoina'
ton of words has been in the puoAc
mind for a long period. When MT.
Taft returned from duty in the Philip
mines it was recognized that he pos
sessed the qualifications for the couh'
try's chief judicial position. When MS
name was advanced for the presidency
there we're many who believed that ne
should be reserved rather for duty on
the highest bench. and at its head II
possible. After his presidential term
and his retirement to private life
feeling prevailed. despite the over
whelming character Of his defeat Tor
reelection, which was attributable to
q party division. and not to personal
failure. that he should be placed IN
the Supreme Court. and II clrcum-
stances permitted at its head.
This provision of the honor that has
now come to William Howard Ia1t
has been due to a general recognition
that he possesses what has come to
be known as the judicial tempera-
ment," to an exceptional degree. He
was well grounded in law. a successful
jurist before he became solicitor gen.
eral, a jurist again, and in administra-
tive positions demonstrating an excep-
tional ability to determine the balance
of the scales OF justice and to inter-
pret correctly the spirit as well as the
letter Of the law. Recognition OF these
qualities led to at least two offers for
the Supreme bench, which immediate
circumstances warranted him In de-
clining.
Chief Justice Taft now states, in the
hour of his appointment and confirma-
ton, that it has been the ambition OF
his life thus to serve the country. Yet
now that it has been realized he trem-
bles to think whether he can worthily
fill the position. 1t is in this spirit
that great jurist approaches task
that demands the utmost from man,
sacrifices and services Of the most ex-
acting nature.
There have heretofore been nine
Chief Justices. The list Of the holders
of this post of high honor and weighty
responsibility Is a notable one: John
Jay, John Rutledge. Oliver Ellsworth,
John Marshall. Roger B. Taney. Sal
mon P. Chase, Morrison r. Waite, Mel
VILE w. Fuller and Edward D. White.
To this roll Of distinction is now added
William Howard Taft. His ascent Of
the bench is in circumstances differing
from those of any Of his predecessors.
No other justice Of the court has ever
r been President of the United States.
Some Of them have been aspirants for
the honor. One of them resigned to be
a candidate for the presidency. missing
1t by the narrowest Of margins. His
name has been considered in connec-
ton with the present appointment. and
but for the fact that he is now serving
the country most valuably in another
line of duty he might have been chosen.
The President has met the public ex-
pectation in this selection. He has
named worthy, able man to the chief
judicial position. He has contributed
to the strength Of the court and there
by has strengthened the defenses Of
the country in the maintenance Of the
law and it's soundest Interpretation.
The country thanks him for his selec-
ton and congratulates Chief Justice
Taft upon the realization Of his life
long ambition.