PRESIDENT WILLIAM H. TAFT - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 12/18/1911 - HFSID 5770

WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT
The President thanks New Hampshire Senator Henry Burnham for remarks in a newspaper interview
Typed Letter signed: "Wm H Taft" as President, 1p, 7x8¾. The White House, Washington, 1911 December 18. On Presidential letterhead to Honorable Henry E. Burnham, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. In full: "My attention has been called to an interview with you printed in the Tribune on the 13th. I am sending you this note to thank you for what you said. Sincerely yours". William Howard Taft (1857-1930) was Governor of the Philippines (1901-1904), Secretary of War (1904-1909), 27th of the United States (1909-1913) and Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court (1921-1930). His bruising convention battle with former ally and patron Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 split the Republican Party, allowing the election of Democrat Woodrow Wilson. Taft as President was caught in the middle between progressives and conservatives and constrained by a more limited view of Presidential powers than TR had possessed, but historians tend to view his term of office more positively than did most of his contemporaries. His skills as Chief Justice are widely recognized. He is the only person to serve as both US President and Chief Justice. Henry E. Burnham (1844-1917) was a US Senator from New Hampshire (1901-1913). He did not seek re-election in 1912. Lightly foxed at edges and fold creases (affecting top of signature). Fold crease not at signature. Ink and pencil note (unknown hand) on verso (no show through). Otherwise, fine condition.