<--PREV Doc #91  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #93 Document #92; March 18, 1953 To Robert Alphonso Taft Series: EM, AWF, Name Series The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XIV - The Presidency: The Middle Way Part I: Charting a New Course; January 1953 to April 1953 Chapter 2: "A number of misunderstandings": Party and International Struggles   Dear Senator Taft: I know that you will be glad to learn that the appointment of your son as Ambassador to Ireland was based solely upon merit, as judged by the battery of individuals who examine personal records and the qualifications of individuals for these appointments.1 While I have never met him, I am confident, from the character and tenor of the reports made to me, that he is one of the most fitting selections made by this Administration for an Ambassadorial post. Quite naturally, I am delighted that you feel that true cooperation is developing between the Executive Department and the Legislative Branch, particularly between the Executive and the Leaders of our Party in the Congress.2 I have had the same reaction--and I hope you will permit me to say that in the Senate I have felt this to be especially true in your case. I always try to remember that only through a team accomplishment can the Republican Party be assured of solidifying its hold on both branches of the Congress in 1954. With warm personal regard, Sincerely 1 Eisenhower had announced the nomination of William Howard Taft III (Ph.D. Princeton 1942), Senator Taft's eldest son, to this post on Saturday, March 15. Two days later (AWF/M) the senator had written in longhand to thank Eisenhower for the appointment and for making it "in the face of possible criticism." Taft would take the oath of office on April 9 (New York Times, Mar. 19, Apr. 10, 1953). 2 On this issue see the preceding document. Taft further had thanked the President for his "friendly notes" of February 6 (AWF/M) on Senate confirmations and the government reorganization bill. Taft commented on Eisenhower's cooperation with legislative leaders "in every matter we have discussed" and expressed gratitude for "the friendly and helpful spirit of the entire White House staff." Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Robert Alphonso Taft, 18 March 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 92. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/92.cfm <--PREV Doc #91  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #93

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