Letter Accepting the Resignation of William Howard Taft as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
My dear Mr. Chief Justice:
I was deeply pained at receiving your letter of resignation today. For some time I have been aware of the shock you received to your health and have been fearful lest this event should occur.
In accepting your resignation I would like to add my personal appreciation of the long and distinguished service of a great American to his country.
Yours faithfully,
HERBERT HOOVER
[The Honorable William Howard Taft, Chief Justice of the United States, Washington, D.C. ]
Note: The text of Chief Justice Taft's letter of resignation, dated February 3, 1930, follows:
My dear Mr. President:
I am desirous of accepting the privilege and benefits which the Act of March 1, 1929, chapter 419, 45 Stat. 1422, accords to judges of courts of the United States who have held commissions as such judges for at least ten years, whether continuously or otherwise, and have attained the age of seventy years; and to that end I hereby resign my commission and office as Chief Justice of the United States.
From 1892 to 1900 I held a commission, and served, as a Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit of the United States and from 1921 to the present time I have held a commission, and served, as Chief Justice of the United States, making a total service of more than ten years under the two commissions; and I now have attained the age of more than seventy years. Thus the conditions named in the statute are all present. This resignation is intended to take effect immediately upon its acceptance by you. With great respect, I am
Very sincerely yours,
WILLIAM H. TAFT
[The President, The White House]
Herbert Hoover, Letter Accepting the Resignation of William Howard Taft as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/210943