The Public Record
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States, serving from 1909 to 1913. A member of the Republican Party, he was known for his trust-busting policies and efforts to promote international trade. After his presidency, Taft continued to serve the nation as the 10th Chief Justice of the United States from 1921 until his death in 1930, making him the only person to have held both the presidency and the chief justiceship. His tenure as Chief Justice was marked by a commitment to judicial restraint and the rule of law.
It is hereby ordered that the following described lands in the State of Arizona, viz, all of sections 1 and 12, in township 1 north, range 4 east, of the Gila and Salt River meridian, be, and the same are hereby, withdrawn from settlement…
No person will be permitted to purchase more than four quarter sections, or at a less price than two dollars per acre.
In my judgment, no more of said lands can be disposed of at the price named in said Act.
If any purchaser shall at any time fail to make any payment when it becomes due all rights under his purchase, and all moneys theretofore paid thereunder will be forfeited.
The Secretary of the Interior, and the Superintendent of the sale as emergencies arise, may make and prescribe such rules and regulations not in conflict herewith as the proper conducting of the sale may require.
The problems are of very great difficulty and call for the calmest consideration and clearest foresight.
I urge that no good can come from meetings of this sort unless we ascribe to those who take part in them, and who are apparently striving worthily in the cause, all proper motives.
What I can do in the cause I shall do, not as President of a party, but as President of the whole people.
As President of the United States I have, as it were, inherited this policy, and I rejoice in my heritage.
It is hereby ordered that Executive order dated August 25, 1877, setting aside certain described land in the State of California for Indian purposes, be, and the same hereby is, revoked in so far as it relates to the south half of section…
It is hereby ordered that the following described lands in the State of Idaho, viz: All that part of T. 15 S., R. 4 E., Boise meridian, lying and being west of a line formed by extending the east boundary line of the Duck Valley Indian…
I do not think, therefore, the defects of the bill which I have pointed out will justify the postponement of all this important work.
The proper policy, it seems to me, is to determine from the many projects proposed and recommended what are the most important, and then to proceed to complete them with due dispatch, and then to take up others and do the same thing with…
The total of the bill, $52,000,000, is not unduly large, but the policy of small appropriations with a great many different enterprises without provision for their completion is unwise.
I fully indorse the views of the Secretary in this particular, which are set forth in his letter, transmitted herewith, and urge upon the Congress an early consideration of the subject.
In response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of April 20, 1910, relative to the recent tariff negotiations between the Government of the United States and foreign governments made necessary by the tariff act of August 5…
I therefore recommend that this latter provision be modified by providing that at least section 9 of the Senate amendments to the bill, which is the section authorizing the commission to suspend the going into effect of increases in rates…
It is my hope that all of the other railroad companies will take like action.
It is important that legislation that will enable this Government to carry out its obligations under the treaty be enacted by Congress during its present session.
I ask for the report of the Secretary of State the early and favorable consideration of Congress.
I transmit herewith, for the information of the Congress, the final report of the Spanish Treaty Claims Commission, dated May 2, 1910.
As soon as these investigations by the Executive and the grand jury are at an end I shall bring the fact to the knowledge of Congress.
A congressional investigation at this time would embarrass the executive department in the continuance and completion of the investigation of the appraiser's and other offices of the customs service.
The primary duty with respect to frauds in the executive service falls upon the Executive to direct proper executive investigation, and upon the discovery of fraud and crime to direct judicial investigation for the purpose of recovering…
I am encouraged to believe that this date will certainly not be later than the one which has hereto been fixed, namely, January 1, 1915.
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