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William Howard Taft As A Progressive President Essay

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Was William Howard Taft a progressive president, or not? President Taft has been accused of being an “unprogressive” president. The political definition of progressive is the support of advocacy or social reform. President William Howard Taft was indeed a progressive president. He has done many progressive things in America such as his trust-busting efforts, his empowering of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to set railroad rates, and his support of constitutional amendments mandating a federal income tax. William Howard Taft pleads innocent against these charges.

The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was the first administrative commission in United State history. Established in the eighteen hundred’s as a result of arising indignation from the country. The commission’s purpose was to control railroads and their unfair business practices. The Interstate Commerce Commission 's jurisdiction gradually expanded beyond railroads to all common carriers except airplanes by nineteen forties. The ICC was also given the task of reinforcing railroad systems and administering labor disputes in interstate transport. The Interstate Commerce Commission imposed United State’s Supreme Court rulings that required the desegregation of passenger terminal facilities in the nineteen-fifties and …show more content…

These things might seem small all together but, think about it. If President William Howard Taft had not empowered the the Interstate Commerce Commission, people would be shipping and handing out illegal objects, weapons, and substances around the United States of America. If he had not been so supportive of the Sherman Antitrust Act and enforced it so well, people would be making trust to their own advantages. Finally If President Taft Had not enforced Federal Income Tax the United States would not be like they are today. Most of America’s schools, hospitals, and more important places depend on government funds to keep on rolling. These funds come from Federal Income

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During this time period the outstanding debt of the national government decreased as a whole, which showcases that despite how the government was centering more attention on nonmilitary activities and likely interfering with laissez faire, the economy of the country improved as a whole. Government interference through the interstate commerce act also proved to be beneficial to both the party it was interfering on behalf of and the railroad systems. The act was seen as necessary in order to “conserve and protect” without harming the interests of the enterprises. It was in this same point of view that John Sherman created the Sherman Antitrust Act, for the sake of aiming at unlawful combinations and not harming any innocent enterprises. However, congress did follow in accordance to laissez faire when they resolved to no longer grant subsidies to corporations or private

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This prompted Congress to become involved through the creation of the Interstate Commerce Commission, or ICC, which regulated railroad corporations and ensured lawful freight rates. However, until the early 1900s, the ICC was too weak to make any substantial difference in the Supreme Court on the issue of railroad corruption. In 1906, President

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(142) Theodore Roosevelt and Howard Taft 's platforms on trusts and direct democracy, judicial recall and constitution usage in courts may have contrasted, but they did share similar opinions about women 's voting rights. Roosevelt, throughout the entirety of the election made his opinion on Taft very clear. Roosevelt said "But I do not care for Taft, indeed I think less of him as time goes on, in spite of the fact that I believe he is improving his position before the people. He is a flubdub with a streak of the second-rate and the common in him, and he has not the slightest idea of what is necessary if this country is to make social and industrial progress" (72). Taft, similarly, based much of his campaign on bad mouthing Roosevelt, while simultaneously advocating strong constitutional governing of the people.

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He believed that the nation should push for more domestic manufacturing, which would create American jobs and further grow the economy. He passed a protective tariff, placing a tax on imported goods. This sparked a movement that led to an increase in domestic goods being bought, successfully causing the economy to flourish.2 Most importantly, he was integral in the resolution of the national debt that was left over from previous wars, specifically the American Revolution. He argued for the assumption of state debt by the national government, which obviously led to a large national debt. Through his multi-step plan, he was able to negate the debt, which led to a more prosperous United States, ultimately shaping the nation we know today.3

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William Howard Taft was a member of the Republican Party. His term lasted from 1909-1913. His central ambition regarding reform was to create an orderly framework for administering a reform agenda.

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Prior to losing the election of 1912, he helped the U.S with by doing anything he could to uphold America and its citizens. He also aided in American access to the Panama Canal. On economical terms, Roosevelt was the trust-buster, breaking all of the bad trusts in big businesses. He also was the president who enforced the Sherman Antitrust Act. Socially, he preserved millions of acres of land, entitling citizens to interact and have leisure time, and wildlife to prosper.

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