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Dean C. Worcester has learned that President Roosevelt would like a copy of the picture Worcester took of Governor General of the Philippines Luke E. Wright, Secretary of Public Instruction James Francis Smith, and Commissioner Jose Ruiz de Luzuriaga. Worcester will send a copy of the photograph to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-05
Correspondence between James Francis Smith, Secretary of Public Instruction in the Philippines, and Bishop Frederick Zadok Rooker, the Bishop of Jaro, regarding concerns over the use of a certain textbook in public schools.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-11
Secretary of War Taft tells President Roosevelt that they may have been mistaken in removing T. H. Pardo de Tavera from a commission in the Philippines, and sends him several letters which suggest this. He suggests that it is worth discussing the matter with several people, and that they can still reverse course on the matter if necessary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-07
The Presidential Office Staff summarizes a letter from Justice John Thomas McDonough of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. McDonough was surprised to read the rumors that he was “antagonizing the Commissioners,” especially because he has a good opinion of Governor William H. Taft. He will be pleased for Secretary of War Elihu Root and Archbishop John Ireland read his letter. He also requests transportation to the United States for himself and his family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-14
Exhibit C contains correspondence regarding the publication and criticism of Edgar M. Ledyard’s pamphlet “Lessons on Familiar Philippine Animals” which was intended for use by the Bureau of Education in Manila. The pamphlet had a number of grammatical and scientific errors.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-26
Secretary of War William H. Taft addresses the Philippine Assembly at their inaugural gathering. Taft gives an overview of the American administration of the Philippines as well as his assessment of the challenges facing the Assembly in the fulfillment of their political duties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-16
Secretary of War Taft relays to President Roosevelt a letter he received from Governor-General of the Philippines Henry C. Ide. Ide will soon be relinquishing control as acting Governor-General to James Francis Smith. Ide suggests that they give him a leave of absence until Smith takes over, in order to save money much like was done when Luke E. Wright stepped aside for him. Taft disagrees with Ide and does not think saving six months salary is economical.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-30
Benjamin Ide Wheeler addresses issues involving discrimination allegations in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-15
Maurice Francis Egan was asked by Walter George Smith to send a copy of Smith’s book about his soldier and diplomat father, The Life and Letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, to President Roosevelt. Egan reminds Roosevelt that he had promised to send a letter from Philippine Commissioner James Francis Smith. Egan also remarks that the Cardinal extends his “admiration and respect” to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-15
Governor Taft defends the Philippine Commission and the Federal Party against charges that they have pursued policies hostile to the Catholic Church. The complaint was submitted by Father O’Mahoney through Bishop McFaul of New Jersey. Taft specifically addresses the complaints and defends his own position and the position of others in regards to the charges.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-05
Justice McDonough of the Supreme Court of the Philippines is surprised by the rumors that he has been “antagonizing the Commissioners,” so he explains to President Roosevelt his interactions with Governor William H. Taft and General James Francis Smith. McDonough discusses the conflict between the Catholic friars and the government and expresses regret that the friars wish only to deal with Taft and not Smith, the latter of whom has been described harshly by Filipino Catholics. For his own part, McDonough has been reticent to denounce the friars because he sees their potential to preach peace, lawfulness, and loyalty to the United States and because he upholds freedom of religion in the Philippines. He also sees the sale of the friars’ lands as “purely a church question.” These privately expressed opinions aside, McDonough assures Roosevelt that he has been careful with his words and has not opposed Taft, Smith, or Vice Governor Wright in any way. He also quells a rumor that he has sought a seat of his own on the commission, expressing his desire merely to “serve this court with credit” before returning to Albany. He closes with a postscript requesting financial and transportation assistance for him and his family to return home when his term in the Philippines is over.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-14
William H. Taft defends the opium-farm system recommended by the Philippine Commission in response to an increase in opium smuggling due to high tariffs and increased opium use in the Philippines. Under the proposal, Filipinos would not be permitted to smoke opium, and Chinese in the Philippines would. Taft argues that the proposal will decrease opium usage and increase revenues. Taft suggests sending the study commission to Japan, Burma, Formosa, and Java to investigate various opium policies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-13
President Roosevelt has sent a commission to meet with the Vatican leadership and recently appointed several Catholics to his administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10