Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-06
Judge Taft to Go to the Philippine
Islands.
TO INACCURATE CIVIL GOVERNMENT
Important Action Taken by the
President. Today.
OTHERS TO BE SELECTED

sion the important announcement was made
that President Mckinley had selected Judge
William H. Taft of Cincinnati as the head
of new commission to go to the Philip
pines and establish civil government in the
islands.
For an hour prior to the cabinet meeting
Judge Taft was in conference with Presi-
dent Mckinley, the only other person pres
ent being Judge William R. Day. former
Secretary of State and president Of the
Spanish-American peace commission which
met at Paris. Even after the cabinet met
Judges TAT, and Day remained in the
library of the White House. This room ad-
joins the cabinet room and Judge Taft was
several times asked to be present in the
cabinet room.
Judge Taft has written his resignation as
judge of the sixth circuit over which he
has presided for a number of years, and it
is to take effect on March IL. Before that
time President Mckinley will have selected
the other members OF the commission which
Is to go to the Philippines. and the body
Will leave this country about that time or
later.
Judge Taft'S Mission.
Fresh from a conference with President
Mckinley, Idge Taft Gid not care to speak
of his missi III, except to say that his work
Son which IS to establish civil government
in the various islands of the Philippines.
1t was stated by cabinet officials and by
Judge Day that Judge Taft had made a
great sacrifice in accepting the offer made
to him by President Mckinley. AS circuit
judge Judge Taft held a lifetime position,
with large salary. He sacrifices position
and salary at the request of the President,
and undertakes a work which is regarded
by President Mckinley himself as NAM
IN for
was so greatly impressed with the enor-
nous undertaking of establishing civil gov
ernment in the islands that he hardly knew
where to cast about for man who would
incident TO the position. He finally selected
Judge Taft as the best man ne knew for
the place. and as one not likely to shirk
the onerous labors.
1t is looked upon as a certainty that the
President intends to make Judge Taft the
first governor of the Philippine territory,
or whatever else Congress chooses to make
of 1t. 1t will at least have to have a head,
and whatever the head Judge Taft will be
the man. Congress will probably not be
meagre in fixing a salary for the position,
ana tins Will finally compensate in some
ways for the sacrifice which has been
made.
Has Not Waited for Congress.
1t will be seen that the President has not
waited for Congress to decide upon the fu-
ture of the islands. He goes forward ac-
cording to the recommendations of the
Philippine commission, believing that early
efforts should be made to show the people
OF the islands that this country means we'll
and does not intend to govern by the bay
onet any longer than the people themselves
make this essential. The action of the
President possibly foreshadows that Con-
gress will attempt no positive action as to
the philippines at this session, and that the
matter will likely go over another year.
President Mckinley has not yet decided
whether he will appoint three or five mem
pers or the new commission. The names of
some Of those under consideration for the
other places were given in The Star yes-
terday They include Col. Charles DENLY
ana Prof. Worcester, members of the COM
mission which still exists and is vet at
work on uncompleted portions of it's re-
port. Jacob Gould Schurman, who was at
the head of the existing commission, did
not care to return to the islands AGAIN
Mr.. Macarthur, the secretary of the pres
ent commission, is talked of for secretary
OF the commission now forming He is
man OF exceptional talent and speaks
number of languages. 1t is not impossible
that he will go as secretary Of this COM
mission
The Matter of Salary.
The matter Of salaries for the new COM
mission will be decided upon by the Presi-
dent II Congress does not authorize the
payment Of the salaries they can be paid
Out OF the moneys received in the Philip
pines by Gen. Otis and his forces.
Judge Taft is pleasantly remembered in
washington He was for three years the
solicitor general of the Department of jus
tice His father lived here for MANY wears
as Attorney General and Secretary Of War
Judge Tafts executive qualifications are
SAID to be among the finest ever given to
the government Of the United States, and
great deal is expected of his administra
tion of SO important a post The president
REGARDS him as above partisan attacks.
and therefore thinks his administration will
De packed by the confidence of the country
Inc commission will take with it a large
number Of employees, as the government
low organized will be the foundation of
all others to come SO long as the Philip
pines remain territory Of the United States
Exactly what line will be drawn between
the new commissions powers and the now
ers of Gen. Otis, or the military governor.
has not been definitely settled 1t will
De seen that the President is proceeding
on somewhat different lines from Cuba and
Porto Rico in that he inaugurates civil
government ,.o almost at the beginning of
States His hope will be to make The c;,,ii
government supreme, and to soon he ahia
to withdraw large part of the militar,,
power now required.
Judge Severence's Appointment.
Judge Henry s. Severence, United
States district judge of Michigan, has been
appointed as judge of the sixth circuit IN
fill the vacancy caused by Judge Taft's
resignation.
Judge Taft's Career,
William Howard Taft was born in Gin
cinnati, Ohio, September 15 1857. He was
graduated from Yale in 1873 As second
ip his class. he delivered the Latin ora
ton; was also class orator, and delivered
his class Grafton; studied law at Cincin.
natl Law School and divided first prize on
graduation, was admitted to the bar in
May, 1880; was appointed assistant prose-
cutting attorney of Hamilton county. Ohio
in January, 1881; resigned in March, 1882
to become United States collector of inter.
nal revenue for the first Ohio district: re-
signed to resume the practice of the law
in January, 1888; was appointed assistant
county solicitor of Hamilton county. Jan
uary, 1885; resigned to become judge of the
superior court Of Cincinnati in March. 1SS7.
by appointment of Governor Foraker. was
elected to the same bench for five wears
in April 1883; resigned In February. 1850
to become solicitor general of the United
States. He was commissioned United
States circuit Judge for the sixth circuit
March II, 1892, and has ever since held
that place.
In addition to important positions TN