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General Scott informs Henry Prather Fletcher of their arrival in Manila and discusses the political climate in the Philippines. General Leonard Wood has been appointed Civil Governor of the Province of Mindinao, and William H. Taft and George W. Davis believe that conflict in Solo cannot be avoided.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-29
Senator Dixon sends Theodore Roosevelt the statement he made in response to President Taft announcing his support for presidential preference primaries. Dixon’s statement points out several states where legislation to enact primaries is being opposed by Taft supporters. He questions whether Taft will now instruct his managers to support primary legislation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-18
James Augustine McFaul encloses a Catholic pamphlet criticizing the Taft Commission, and cautions President Roosevelt against mentioning the Philippines in an upcoming speech.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-28
Secretary of War Root informs President Roosevelt that he intends to support the nominations and records of general officers appointed by President McKinley and Roosevelt that have been impugned by Oswald Garrison Villard. Root mentions a letter from William H. Taft, and he has called a meeting for the new joint Army and Navy Board.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-22
The memorandum discusses the boundaries of U.S. sovereignty in the Philippines, and reviews the sequence of events in early 1903 asserting that sovereignty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-23
Friar O’Reilly writes to President Roosevelt about a situation in the Philippines. O’Reilly states that Governor Taft does not look out for the friars’ interests, and he encloses a letter based on these concerns.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-23
The main Philippines question that interests American Catholics is the proposed government purchase of the holdings of the religious corporations. Richard Campbell believes that the whole future of church-state relations on the islands depends on the solution to this issue. The friars are demanding exorbitant prices and the papal delegate, Monsignor Giovanni Battista Guidi, appears to lack the authority to force a settlement. There is often violence against the religious corporations as they are viewed as an extension of the old Spanish administration. Campbell found many faults with the Spanish administration but compliments them on bringing and maintaining Christianity in the Philippines. He believes that the new bishops will be the key to handling the land purchases and the church will decide what to do with the friars. The general conditions of the islands are well and Campbell compliments the work of Governor Taft, Vice Governor Wright, and Commissioner Ide.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-30
Father Vattmann discusses his audience with Pope Leo XIII and other Catholic dignitaries, especially concerning information he had learned during his stay in the Philippines. Vattmann expresses disappointment among military that Colonel William Spencer McCaskey has not been promoted to Brigadier General.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-24
The Chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs details the establishment and supply of the printing plant in Manila. This was done in response to a letter from R. L. Wynn to President Roosevelt dated June 19, 1903, claiming financial misconduct in the establishment of the printing press.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-16
With President Roosevelt’s return from his western tour, speculation has begun regarding his likely vice presidential nominee in the upcoming elections. William H. Taft is expected to be appointed Secretary of War, so his name is not to be considered. The likely candidate, according to the Philadelphia Press, is Ohio Governor Myron T. Herrick. He is purported to rise to consideration in the same way that Garret A. Hobart did as William McKinley’s vice president, through success in both business and politics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-20
Newspaper article theorizing on the process of selecting the Republican vice presidential candidate and on Senator Hanna’s goals during the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-22
Justice McDonough reflects on his first three months in the Philippines. He tells President Roosevelt of his surprise at the “remarkable progress” there and remarks how much the natives like Governor William H. Taft. In general, McDonough finds the Filipinos to be hard workers, and a “happy, clean, sober, virtuous, family-loving and religious people.” He also shares his thoughts on the Catholic friars in the Philippines. As much as they are criticized, McDonough praises the “great good” they have achieved in religion and education over the last three centuries and sees them as potential allies in assuring Filipino cooperation with the American government. Still, the friars’ land ownership is widely resented by the Filipino people, who McDonough feels would look more favorably on the friars’ work if these lands were acquired by the government. Presently, the friars complain of discrimination at the hands of barrio officials who even prevent them from ministering to those who have requested it. McDonough will do what he can to ensure that clergymen of every denomination are given equal protection under the law and to bring about an “amicable settlement” in the land matter, even if that means paying more than the land is worth.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-04
Henry W. Taft was unable to speak with Mr. Lothrup about Mr. Newberry. He hopes that Governor Taft will not be a candidate for Vice President as rumored in the newspapers. Taft believes that his brother would be much more useful in the Cabinet. Regarding the other matter they discussed, Taft suggests it will be more easily done when stocks are going up.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-09
Secretary of War Root encloses a copy of comments by Governor General of the Philippines William H. Taft regarding the complaints made by B. F. Mellor and Bert. R. Dorr in relation to the libel and sedition cases in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-04-18
Vice Governor Wright agrees with the value of scientific research in the Philippines outlined in the Committee of the Academy of Science report, but doubts the ability of the Insular Government to undertake it. He also comments on church issues in the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-26
Joseph Bucklin Bishop excerpts portions of a long letter which he received from Governor Taft. Taft gave his opinion on the appointment of William R. Day to the Supreme Court and an assessment of his own suitability for inclusion on the presidential ticket in the upcoming election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-09
Senator Hoar returns papers related to Governor Taft and the Philippines. He questions the fitness of Americans to govern the Philippines in light of Taft’s statements and the actions of Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-04
Philippines Governor William H. Taft has already recommended the necessary legislation to Congress regarding the “use of lighters and launch of the North German Lloyd Steamship Company.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-12
The matter of Apolinario Mabini has been stirred up in the Philippines at the same time as it arose in the United States. Secretary of War Root encloses an endorsement from Governor General of the Philippines William H. Taft on the subject.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-14
John J. Wynne is pleased with the appointment of McDonough to the Manila Bench and feels that the issue of church property in the Philippines is being settled satisfactorily.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-01