The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-07
TAFT TO GO TO PHILIPPINES.
SELECTED As PRESIDENT OF THE
NEW COMMISSION.

OBJECT of the Commission VIII BE 10
Establish IL civil Government for
the Islands-Judge TAFT Says Com
mission VIII Sail About March II.
lie May he Made First Civil Gov
ernor GencraI-He Is Judge or
Sixth judicial Circuit.
Washington. Feb 6.-The President To-
day appointed Judge William IL. TaGt of
Cincinnati United States judge Of the
Sixth judicial Circuit, to be president Of
the new Philippine Commission.
The announcement was made at the
close of to-day's cabinet session.
Judge Taft has been in Washington sew
eral days, presumably coming at the re-
quest of The President This morning he
called at the White House a little before
10 o'clock in company with Judge Day,
former Secretary of State and later pres
ident of the Paris Peace Commission They
remained with the President until the cab
met met at Ii o'clock and Joined him
again after the cabinet had adjourned.
on leaving the White House Judge Taft
stated that the commission of which he
for the Philippines soon after March Is,
and it's special mission would be the estab-
lshment of civil government for the ISL
ands Further than that he was not at
liberty to speak.
It is understood that the other members
of the commission viii be designated with
in a very short time and that the special
instructions which will guide them in the
discharge Of their duties will be prepared
at as early day as possible.
The appointment of this commission is
carrying out the suggestions Of the pres
ent Philippine Commiss on, which Will
shortly 80 out of existence. Some Of the
members of the old commission, it is said,
will be appointed on the new.
VIII All BE Civilians.
Judge Taft is the first selection for the
new Philippine Commission. There Will
be five members, all civilians Mr.. Schur-
man, president of the existing commits
sion, has declined for business reasons to
remain on the commission, SO Judge Taft
will be president in his place Mr.. Denby
ana Prof. Worcester have been invited
to accept reappOintments, but have not
so far slgnihed their intentions. Admiral
Dewey win not go back 10 Manila and
Gen Otis will give way, like him, to a
civilian.
Secretary Root said to-day that no in
structions had been framed for the new
commission as yet but it would be easy
to perceive from the sentiments set out
in the Presidents message on the subject
what these instructions would be.
Judge Taft called at the war depart
ment to-day in company with Judge Day,
and had a long talk with Secretary Root
as to the plans for the commission.
AS some surprise has been caused by
the willingness of Judge Taft TO surren-
der a life position of the dignity ana
emolument of United States circuit judge
to join the commission it may be said
that the prevalent impression is that as
soon as the commission shall have sue
| ceeded in replacing the existing military
government in the Philippines with sta
hle civil governments, Judge Taft win be
named as the first civil governor general
Of the archipelago
1t is not thought that this change Will
take place at once, but the commission
is expected to move steadily toward that
object, and to set up local civil govern
ments as fast as the Flipinos shall dem
onstGate their worthiness