The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-18

gree of b. L. and dividing the first
prize.
In May, 1880, William Howard Taft
was admitted to the bar of the SUI
preme court of Ohio. For about
year he served as law reporter of the
Cincinnati Times. and subsequently
the Cincinnati Commercial. Appoint
ed assistant prosecuting attorney in
January, 1881. Resigned in March,
1882. to become collector of internal
revenue, first district, Ohio, under
President Arthur. Resigned the col
lectorship in March, 1888, to enter the
practice of law. Continued his law
practice till March, 1887, holding in
the meantime, from January, 1885,
the office of assistant county solicitor
OF Hamilton county. Appointed in
March, 1887, judge superior court of
Cincinnati. to fill a resignation va
cancy. Elected in April, 1888. to sue
coed himself for five years. Resigned
in February, 1890. to become solicitor
general of the United States, under
President Harrison This office Mr..
Taft relinquished in March, 1892, to
become United State circuit judge for
the sixth judicial district and ex-officio
member of the circuit court of ap-
peals of the sixth district. In June,
1898, Yale university honored him
with the degree of IL. D. In 1896 he
came also professor and dean of the
law department of the University of
Work in the Philippines.
In March. 1900. came the event
which has given the American people
the benefit of the invaluable services
of William Howard Taft along poll
teal and governmental lines. A great
charge was upon our nation, namely.
to bring order out of chaos in the
Philippines with all the world looking
on, ready to criticize every move we
made. The confidence of a people to
| win, a confidence hard to secure, be-
cause 400 years of Spanish oppres-
| sion had created an Unborn suspicion
| of everything new, and especially Of
| everything foreign. was essential. TO
that great task President Mckinley
called William Howard Taft-called
him from a life of peace and quietness
| to life of turbulence and worry as
first president land organizer) of the
| United tates-Philippines commission.
| The next year, July 4, 1901, by ap-
| pointment of President Mckinley, Mr..
| Taft became the first civil governor
of the Philippine islands. Space for
bids enumeration of the able and loyal
service he rendered in those positions,
not only to his country but also to
| the islands and their people, until in
| November, 1901, he was forced by ill
| ness to turn over the officer of COVER
nor to Vice Governor Wright In
! December, 1901. by order of the
/
Washington to testify before the SEN
ate committee on the Philippines and
| the house committee on insular
affairs. His testimony before those
two committees lasted six weeks and
| was most favorably received by the
committees. the press, and the coun-
| try. 1t stands today as authoritative
on Philippine matters.
In February, 1902, the University of
Pennsylvania honored Mr.. Taft by CON
| ferring upon him the degree Of LII. D.
Both Harvard and Miami universities
did likewise in 1905.
| His Conference With the Pope.
On May II, 1902. by order of Presi-
| dent Roosevelt and Secretary Root
| Mr.. Taft sailed from the United States
| to Rome an most delicate mission
| to confer with Pope Leo XIII concern
| ing the purchase by the United States
| of the agricultural lands belonging tc
/ religious orders in the Philippines He
i held conference with the committee OF
cardinals over two months-June an6
agreement. The Importance of this
successful and completed negotiation.
is obvious, telling for all time in on,
holding and administration of thos,
valuable and necessary possessions
This piece of work alone proves con
clusively that William Howard Taft ha.
all the high diplomatic qualities nee
essary to make successful president
OF his executive ability there is n,
question. 1t has been shown in
hundred ways in the Philippines. il
the war department, and in the severa
offices he held prior to entrance int
political life.
Returning to the Philippines in Aug
ust, 1902 Mr.. Taft took up the worl
temporarily laid down and resume
Office as civil governor till Decembe
%, 1903, when he sailed for the Uni
ted States to become secretary of wal
1 h iot, Inn rv-fn ~ of51 l.
With Secretary Tafts able work sine
his return home the American nation an
the world are familiar. His visit to Par
anna in November and December, 1904: hi
tour of insner,fiou Of fine 1pI,iiirnane ~