William Howard TAFT (1857 – 1930) Fine content Autograph Letter Signed “Wm H. Taft” as President, 1p. 8 3/4 x 7 in. on White House letterhead, Washington, 26 June 1912 to “Dear Mr. Glaser” regretting his inability “… to be present at the Ratification Banquet on Saturday Evening next. It would be a great pleasure to rejoice with you and my many friends over the recent victory for constitutional government that was won at Chicago. I am very hopeful of the result in November, but whatever happens we have fought a good fight for the country’s sake already and have won.”

Only days before Taft wrote to Glaser, the Republican National Convention had nominated him to run for a second term as President. Taft’s victory in Chicago was marred by the defection of Theodore Roosevelt, who challenged Taft for the nomination. Roosevelt had come to the convention holding the majority of delegates chosen in the primaries, but Taft managed to secure most of the uncommitted delegates to secure the Republican nod. In protest, Roosevelt, bolted from the party to run as the independent “Bull Moose.” In the ensuing general election, Taft and Roosevelt split the Republican vote allowing Woodrow Wilson’s victory in November.

Taft was a champion of the Sixteenth Amendment which granted Congress the right to enact a federal income tax: hence his reference to a “Ratification Banquet”. Taft proposed the amendment on 16 June 1909 in an address to Congress in which he requested passage of a 2% federal income tax on corporations together with the amendment that would give it constitutional legitimacy. The amendment, which was characterized by its opponents as an attack on state’s rights, took nearly four years to pass. At the time of Taft’s writing, only 33 states had approved the amendment, and three were still needed to secure ratification. Ratification came on 3 February, 1913 when Delaware approved the measure.

Light soiling, usual folds, else very good condition.

(EXA 3868) SOLD.