The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-10-26
TAFT IN THE ISLANDS
Why Mckinley Sent the Judge to
the Philippines.
STRONG, HONEST AND TAcTFuL
R.Iinauiohod Certainty Of Elevation to
Supreme Bench at Call Of Duty.
Proved His Ability as a Nation
auiIdsr-A Real Altrutst..

RuiIder-A Real Altruist..
In the beginning of our occupation Of
the Philippines the problems there
were military. Nothing of civil func-
lions could be essayed until the rebel
lion had been put down. In the midst
of this the first Philippine commission
was sent out to look over the situation
'eas bearers of the blessings of n liber-
ating rather than conquering ma
tion.'' as President Mckinley wrote.
The commissioners decided that It was
a bad mess.
Mr.. Mckinley was advised to try to
do nothing by civil power, but to give
a military governor full sway. This
would have been fatal error. Any
continuance of the military govern
neut beyond the time when its stern
restrictions were required to induce
peace and maintain 1t would still fur
Their have ieopardized the trust of the
natives in our good fdith. And it had
already been so strained thatsit would
stand no more tension.
The people at home, too, were grow
ing thoroughly out OF conceit with the
little brown brother" Our. appetite
had become stated of military conquest.
Too many long, narrow boxes were
Skinned over sea and land for inter
ment in village churchyards. too many
mothers rnourned sons, done to death
by bullets or bolo. to support general
conviction in the doctrine of expan-
sion We thought we had no prototype
of Cromer, no giants of colonial admin
istration upon whom Mr.. Mckinley
might call to 'lay the foundations of n
superior civilization, with specific ref
erence to the needs of the people to be
governed and with definite reference
to the welfare OF the islands. both ma
terfal and moral" as he had put it.
There was dearth Of men wholly In
harmony with the presidents concep-
ton OF what our national duty to the
Filfpinos comprised. who would con-
stantIy bear In mind that 1t was Iibcr-
ty they wanted. liberty that they
should have, as Mr.. Mckinley had
promised. pledelnG our faith rs ma
tion--liberty, as he wrote. "of the
whole Filipino people and not of n
decimal fraction OF them. who through
the leadership of education and prop
erty have acquired n domination over
the great mass
Mr.. Taft had not been thought OF. If
his sentiments on the Philippine ques-
ton was known it vas Datent that he
was neither n believer in Mr.. AIcKin-
ley's policy nor fifsaFY ethical right to
he in the fsinnds.1 Said the president
one day to the then9secretary of state,
william r. Day al want n man who Is
strong. honest and tactful, n man of
education and executive ability, man
who is fearless. but conservative. who
Will get along with the army people"
Judge Taft fills the bill IL he VIII
take. the job" said Mr.. Day In stroke
of inspirationaI gep8us. They. sent for
Judge Taft who yChE then on the su-
preme court bench, and told him what
was wanted. He shook his head.
81 cannot be of use to you there. NIr
President" he answered. Il didn't
want to take the Philippines. It was
n mistake The president regarded
him musingly for moment. then.
Nor did 1 want to take them" said
he. 81 had to. There was nothing else
to do. We must build a new nation out
there. want you to help u.s."
Secretary of War Root added his
persuasions. He showed both sides of
the medal to Judge Taft. Perhaps he
was motived more shrcwdly than he
affected, for he descanted upon the DIFF
fcultIes of the task compared with
the congenial and relatively easy work
that Judge Taft had upon the bench.
with the almost ultimate certainty of
being elevated to the supreme court.
lie must forego all this said Mr.. Root
But what chance offered In the
Philippines to do. to create, to dis
prove the AVAILABILITY of some of Eng
lands pet theories of colonization. to
bring into being a nation. Such arSu-
ments turned the tide. Judge Taft ac-
copied one of those duties which to
quote him, lis an entirety ana not
fulfilled until it is entirely fulfilled"
AS he took ship, and always after
ward, there was I'm his mind the CON
Guiding paragraph of the instructions
given him by the president:
"A high and sacred obligation rests
upon the government OF the United
states to give protection for property
and life. civil and religious freedom
and wise. firm and unselfsh guidance
In the paths of peace ana prosperity to
all the peoplas Of the Philippine Is
lands. charge this commission to
labor for the fun performance of this
obligation. which concerns the honor
and conscience OF their country. in the
firm hope that through their labors all
the people in the Philippines may come
to look back with gratitude to the day
when God gave victory to the Ameri-
can arms at Manila and set their land
under the sovereignty and the protcc-
ton Of the people of the United States"
AItruIstic, perhaps. but Mr.. Taft is
nm aItrufSt. 1t needed an nltruist tC
,omposs tho ~eouIrements specified In