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William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft Quotes

27th U.S. President

William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States, serving from 1909 to 1913. Born on September 15, 1857, and passing away on March 8, 1930, Taft was known for his dedication to maintaining law and order and for pushing for various reforms during his presidency. After leaving office, he remained active in politics and law, serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

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Famous William Howard Taft Quotes

“I do not think that there is any doubt about where I stand in respect to boycotts. If there is, I will just state what I think about them. They are illegal and ought to be suppressed. I would never countenance that which recognizes their legality.”

Ifs Thinking States Doubt Ought Labor Illegal Countenance Boycott Legality

Author:William Howard Taft

“It is fitting that the Government of the United States should assume the obligation of the establishment and maintenance of a first-class university for the education of colored menand I wish to put in this caveatthat the colored race today, all of them, would be better off if they all had university education.... Of course, the basis of education of the colored people is in the primary schools and in industrial schools.... In those schools must be introduced teachers from such university institutions as this.”

“On the whole, yes, I would rather be the Chief Justice of the United States, and a quieter life than that which becomes at the White House is more in keeping with the temperament, but when taken into consideration that I go into history as President, and my children and my children's children are the better placed on account of that fact, I am inclined to think that to be President well compensates one for all the trials and criticisms he has to bear and undergo.”

“The truth is, the whole administration under Roosevelt was demoralized by the system of dealing directly with subordinates. It wasobviated in the State Department and the War Department under [Secretary of State Elihu] Root and me [Taft was the Secretary of War], because we simply ignored the interference and went on as we chose.... The subordinates gained nothing by his assumption of authority, but it was not so in the other departments.”

War States Whole Truth Is Authority Roots Administration Assumption Department Secretary Ignored Interference Subordinates Demoralized Taft

Author:William Howard Taft

“The judiciary has fallen to a very low state in this country. I think your part of the country has suffered especially. The federal judges of the South are a disgrace to any country, and I'll be damned if I put any man on the bench of whose character and ability there is the least doubt.”

Ifs Thinking Men Country States Character Ability Doubt Judging Lows South Fallen Disgrace Benches Judiciary Federal Judges

Author:William Howard Taft

“One cannot always be sure of the truth of what one hears if he happens to be President of the United States.”

Ifs States Happens President United United States

Author:William Howard Taft

“My impression about the Panama Canal is that the great revolution it is going to introduce in the trade of the world is in the trade between the east and the west coast of the United States.”

World States United United States Revolution Trade West East Impression Introducing Coast Canals West Coast Panama Panama Canal

Book:The Collected Works of William Howard Taft: Presidential addresses and state papers

Source: The Collected Works of William Howard Taft: Presidential addresses and state papers

“There is nothing so despicable as a secret society that is based upon religious prejudice and that will attempt to defeat a man because of his religious beliefs. Such a society is like a cockroach - it thrives in the dark. So do those who combine for such an end.”

Men Ends States Belief Church Religious Dark Secret Atheism Prejudice Defeat Presidential Thrive Religious Belief Despicable Cockroaches Secret Society Religious Prejudice

Author:William Howard Taft