The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-06


cussed most forcibiy and at length the
great work before the new Filipino COM
mission aid In a most eloquent eufogy on
Judge Taft declared that no man IN the
whole country could have been selected
who was better qualified than Judge WILL
liam IL: Taft for the great mission that
awaits him.
The silence which marked the opening
remarks by Judge Harmon was intense. At
length when applause broke out IL was
followed by a remark in the room. "Just
four OF you" But when Judge Harmon
declared the duty Of the government to
be the establishment OF protectorate over
the islands. the applause was continued.
He produced undisguised surprise when he
limited that one OF the best qualifications
OF Judge Tart for this mission was the
fact that he was not an expansionist.
REMARKS OF JUDGE TAFT
Judge Taft spoke for about an hour. de-
voting much time to his associates OF the
Cincinnati bar, TO the Southern Railroad,
Cincinnati University and municipal and
State politics and with. feeling words OF
thanks for the tributes Of his friends.
Coming to the topic of the Philippines. he
said:
The commission is not oragnized Its
members have never conferred together. L
speak. therefore, for myself alone. Like
Judge Harmon. and unlike Chairman In
gals, i am not now and never have been
tApdttSioiliSl. nave always nOpeQ tn1I
the jurisdiction of our Nation would not
extend beyond territory between the two
oceans. We have not solved all the prob
lens OF popular government so perfectly
as 10 justify our voluntarily seeking more
difflcult ones abroad. With Difference TO
Judge Harmon, / do not think in this in
stance that we have voluntarily sought
them. Circumstances beyond our control
the sequel of the Spanish war, have thrust
on us responsibility for the future gov
eminent of the Philippines The PROPOSE
ton Is vigorously denied by high-minded
and conscientious men and by some with
fury of superlative and epithet that Is
hardly consistent with a judicial attitude
or an impartial consideration of the Ques-
tion MY conviction is that the calm In
vestigation OF the future historian into all
the conditions existing at the time OF TAX
ing each step toward the present situation
in the Philippines will lead him to conclude
that President Mckinley and his adminis-
tration selected i'm each crisis the only al
tentative which a due regard TO our ma
tional and international obligations would
permit. L have to deal with the situation
as 1t is and, whatever the cause Of IL. the
question now Is what are we 10 do 10
meet the present needs?
The high and patriotic purpose of the
PRESIDENT in the present juncture is to give
the people of the Philippine islands the
best civil government which he can pro-
vide with the largest measure of self
government consistent with stability He
seeks only the welfare of the Filipino and
the betterment of his condition. The incl
dental benefits TO the trade OF this coun-
try arising from the new relation must be
MADE subservient to the interests of those
who have become our wards. This is his
charge TO his new commission. With his
purpose thus defined, l have the deepest
sympathy. When. therefore the President
did me the honor TO ask me to assist him
as one of the commission i'm carrying IL
out. could not urge a reason for de-
Ginning that did not agree with his policy
and its object"
Referring to many perplexing problems
the judge continued: I'VE are likely to
find the situation there affected by the
heat or the conflict in the next presiden-
tial campaign. Then there are political
questions OF a delicate character which
are likely to be presented as legacy
from government in which church and
State were united. The adjustment OF
such controversy by a government which
cannot exercise religious authority which
assures TO all within its Jurisdiction the
blessings of religious liberty and a COM
plete divorce of church and State is full
or difhculty. course of action or nom
action can only be safely taken after the
fullest investigation of the facts and con-
ditions which have given rise TO the ques-
ton and a careful consideration of nothing
but the political and economic features
Of the controversy. Not the slightest
religious bias should be permitted to affect
the conclusion and L am assured that the
commission as constituted is wholly free
from any such influence and will be actu-
ated only by its untrammeled sense of
justice and law.
The judge continued TO speak of the
necessity for liberal system of primary
and secondary education, of internal i'm
provements, of the adjustment OF the tar
if, of the reform of the currency, of the
new criminal code, of the initiation OF
popular municipal government and OF
many other problems for the consideration
of the commission.
The presentation of a handsome silver
loving cup TO Judge Taft closed the exer-
cises, and the guests departed after sing
ing America"