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Lot #238
William H. Taft

Taft demotes an official whose drinking had become "obvious to the public"

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Estimate: $300+
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Description

Taft demotes an official whose drinking had become "obvious to the public"

TLS as president, signed “Wm. H. Taft,” two pages, 7.5 x 10.25, White House letterhead, June 29, 1911. Letter to pastor and magazine editor John Wesley Hill, in part: "It seems to me that mercy and favor to Mr. Park have been extended with a generous hand in that he has not suffered absolute dismissal on account of his condition at Trenton. You yourself admit that he has been drinking and that he got into a condition where this became obvious to the public. He is now to be demoted only, and if he shows himself completely reformed I can promise you that he will be reinstated as an agent when he has brought forth works meet for repentance. You have saved him—otherwise he would have gone—and no prejudice on the part of the Commissioner (the existence of which I doubt) will prevent my seeing to it that justice shall be done him when the time shall have elapsed to make his conversion evident…I am very glad that your Peace Forum and that your peace celebration for the 2nd of July are coming on so well. I had an interview with the Ambassador yesterday, and Knox and he have practically reached a conclusion on all the differences. It will need some further little discussion, but there is no doubt now of our getting together." Taft adds "Knox and he have" in his own hand. In very good to fine condition, with light toning and creasing. John W. Hill was the chancellor of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee from 1916-1936, and prior to that, a pastor at the Metropolitan Temple Methodist and Episcopal Church in New York City. Both Hill and Taft were originally from Ohio, and their personal friendship spanned decades.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #525 - Ended April 11, 2018





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