Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

William H. Taft’s eventual appointment as Secretary of War has unexpectedly been made public due to some of outgoing Secretary of War Elihu Root’s business arrangements. Luke E. Wright will become Governor General of the Philippines, Henry C. Ide will become Vice-Governor, and Beekman Winthrop will be the new commissioner. There has been a “hysterical howl” from much of the public and the Grand Army of the Republic over the fact that the retirement letter sent by Root to General Nelson Appleton Miles did not single Miles out for praise. Roosevelt finds the situation very odd.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

Bishop Rooker has requested that the bishops’ houses in the Philippines currently controlled by the government be returned. President Roosevelt would like to help the bishops and considers friendly relations with them to be important in “securing good civil government and order and peace.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt introduces Bishop Dougherty, the new bishop of Nueva Segovia. Dougherty is concerned about the failed removal of the friars and the lack of financial resources for American church authorities in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt introduces Father Hendrick, who has been appointed a bishop in the Philippines. He encloses correspondence with Bishop McFaul and Father O’Reilly and requests a means to respond to their criticism of American policy in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-27

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt formally opens the American Pacific Cable with greeting to Governor Taft and the people of the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-04

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt is pleased that Taft is open to succeeding Root as Secretary of War and is favorable towards Taft’s simplicity of life, even in Washington, D.C.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt had not fully understood the financial circumstances Taft had to consider and will support whatever Taft decides.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt admires Governor Taft, respects his work, and believes that there are several positions that he could fill in the Roosevelt administration. Roosevelt was disappointed that the reduction in Philippine tariffs did not pass and is working hard during his western trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-04-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

General Leonard Wood has made it clear that he understands that, as military commander in the Philippines, he will be subordinate to civil authorities. President Roosevelt believes that there are many members of Congress with whom he can work, including Senator Nelson W. Aldrich. However, Roosevelt is having difficulties with Senator Thomas Collier Platt and Governor Benjamin B. Odell. Finally, President Roosevelt would like Governor General of the Philippines Taft to become the Secretary of War when Elihu Root leaves.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt requests Governor Taft’s comments and suggestions regarding the enclosed correspondence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

Edward C. Howland, of the Mail and Express, will be going to the Philippines. President Roosevelt recommends him to Governor Taft’s courtesy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

General Leonard Wood is heading to the Philippines to “command among the Moros” and in a few months will take over command of the Army in the Philippines. Wood has great respect for Governor General Taft and Vice Governor Luke E. Wright.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

Elihu Root may resign as Secretary of War, and President Roosevelt would like Governor General of the Philippines Taft to consider replacing Root if it becomes necessary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-14

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt introduces Judge John Thomas McDonough to Governor Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt wishes that Governor Taft could have joined the Supreme Court, but Filipino protests have ensured Taft’s continued stay as Governor. General Wood is traveling to the Philippines to combat the Moros and will eventually take command of U.S. Army forces on the islands.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Archbishop Ireland and requests Governor Taft’s opinion on the matter. Roosevelt recently spoke with one of Taft’s brothers regarding Taft’s tenure in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt is disappointed that the situation in the Philippines has convinced William H. Taft to remain as Governor of the Philippines and not accept an upcoming vacancy on the United States Supreme Court. However, Roosevelt admires Taft for his decision.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-29

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt suggests Lloyd Wheaton Bowers for a position in the Philippines as Bowers’s views would likely align with Governor Taft’s.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-08

Telegram from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

There will be a vacancy on the Supreme Court in January and President Roosevelt would like to appoint Governor Taft if he still desires a judicial career.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-25

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt wants to move forward on the friars issue because the Catholic population and most of the Catholic authorities are against the friars. Roosevelt also supports Governor Taft’s plans regarding schools in the Philippines. Taft has been previously considered for appointment to the Supreme Court and Roosevelt would like to have him appointed because he believes that Taft can do more good in the Supreme Court than as governor of the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-21