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Judge Thomas McDonough reflects on his first three months in the Philippines. He is surprised at the “remarkable progress” and shares his thoughts on the friars’ question. McDonough is struggling with what to do with the land of the friars and the friars themselves.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-04
Proceedings of the Provisional National Progressive Committee held August 3, 1912. Following introductory remarks by the Chairman, Senator Joseph M. Dixon of Montana, the committee took up the task of seating delegates to the convention on the temporary roll. The question whether territorial delegates would be allowed to be seated and/or to vote during the convention was discussed (pages 12-48), resulting in delegates from Hawaii, Alaska, and the District of Columbia being given the right to participate in debate but not vote, until the Committee on Rules determined their status. Colonel John M. Parker of Louisiana tried to introduce the question of making the Progressive Party a “white man’s party,” but the committee moved on to complete the temporary roll (pages 49-52). Delegates from states where there was no contest were seated (page 53). Five states had sent more than one set of delegates, and these contested cases were referred to a committee of seven for investigation (pages 54-61). Arguments were heard from Alabama (pages 62-108), Florida (pages 108-153), Georgia (pages 154-155), and Mississippi (pages 156-199). The proceedings having run late into the evening, Ohio was deferred until the following day. Most of the contests stemmed from issues of race in the southern states.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-08-03
Alexander O. Brodie promises that President Roosevelt’s wishes in Arizona territorial appointments will always be paramount.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-20
The Republican Executive Committee of the Indian Territory met and decided to hold the territorial convention in Claremore. A resolution was passed in support of President Roosevelt’s nomination and election. Cherokees and other Native Americans were invited to join current Republican clubs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-27
Text of Governor Hunt’s speech to the Second Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico. Hunt reviews the status and goals of the island.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-01-12
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
Regis Henri Post is concerned about American officials favoring the Puerto Rico Republican Party, including interference in elections and protecting dishonest officials. Post suggests that Governor Hunt discuss the situation with Bishop James Herbert Blenk and John Dandridge Henley Luce.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-30
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
Secretary of the Navy Moody responds to a verse written by Commissioner of Pensions Eugene F. Ware regarding the administration of Guam.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-28
Governor Taft praises the Federal Party of the Philippines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-09
Governor Hunt provides information on the American Federal Party of Puerto Rico. He describes the Federals as largely pro-Spanish and the source of all anti-Americanism on the island. They desire full territorial government and then statehood.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-06
The President of Cornell University Jacob Gould Schurman discusses the situation in the Philippines in this excerpt of his speech. Schurman advocates administrating the Philippines for the benefit of the Filipinos.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-19
John Barrett, Commissioner General of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, spoke at a gathering hosted by Acting Governor Cooper on the possibilities and opportunities available to Hawaii if the territory participates in the exposition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-02
Mr. Luna is traveling to Washington, D.C., and can explain the conditions in New Mexico Territory to President Roosevelt. Luna has been loyal and has enthusiastically supported the Roosevelt administration. Mr. McHarg and Mr. Gordon have not been relieved from duty as expected. They continue to create problems. Governor Curry believes that conditions will be satisfactory when matters are turned over to Mr. Leahy, the regular United States attorney.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-28
Governor Hunt believes the current form of government will succeed in Puerto Rico. He suggests several changes to the management of Puerto Rico; including establishing the office of surveyor-general in order to settle the matter of public lands, providing Puerto Rico with funding to improve the educational opportunities for children, establishing an agricultural experimental station, improving harbor access, establishing a naval station, and placing a tariff on coffee in order to protect the local coffee growers from cheaply imported Brazilian coffee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-29
Governor Wood reviews the general situation in Cuba and argues for changes in economic policy that will benefit the island. He believes that Cuba would be a valuable acquisition for the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-28
W. C. Dix encloses correspondence with Felipe Buencamino of the Federal Party in the Philippines. Dix is confident in the Roosevelt administration’s handling of insular affairs but would like to confidentially know President Roosevelt’s views on granting territorial government to “civilized Filipinos.” The lack of information is a major complaint of the Federal Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-17
W. C. Dix encloses correspondence with Felipe Buencamino of the Federal Party in the Philippines. Dix is confident in the Roosevelt administration’s handling of insular affairs but would like to confidentially know President Roosevelt’s views on granting territorial government to “civilized Filipinos.” The lack of information is a major complaint of the Federal Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-17
During the 1896 election, Edward J. Vattmann carried out a successful “political education” program directed at Catholics. Since the nation’s foreign possessions will likely be the “basis of future attacks,” Vattmann requested, and was granted, permission to visit and report on conditions in these areas. As ordered, Vattmann will be in Washington, D.C., soon and requests to meet with George B. Cortelyou.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-16
David Starr Jordan spent the summer in Hawaii Territory on behalf of the United States Fish Commission and offers insights into the “complex snarl of Island politics.” Judge Abram Stephanus Humphreys rightfully defeated the charges that were brought against him but Jordan does not view Humphreys as an “unselfish reformer.” The Hawaiian administration is lacking and expenditures are not handled properly. Many judges are partisan and they should be selected with more care.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-11