The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1908-07-09

upon to undertake like task. How
we'll Judge Taft fulfilled his mission
i in Dictated by the present situation
in the islands. After bringing about
4 semblance of civic organization
Taft was appointed civil governor of
the Philippines. He remained four
years in the islands. When finally
ne returned to the United States to
become secretary of war in the
Roosevelt cabinet he had nodded
form out of chaos and had given the
Fllipinos a running start toward
ultimate self government of the
most approved American brand
Before departing for the Philip
pines Judge Taft had said at a din
ner that his sincere purpose was to
help the people of those islands.
When he was governor of the archi-
pelago some American residents
complained of certain rulings made
by him. Taft replied:
"These islands are being governed
for the benefit of the natives. If
you don't like the government you
can get OUT
And he said it firmly, though, of
course, good naturedly. An i'll ma
tured remark from Taft is d thing
altogether unknown. 1t is not of
record that the big Ohian ever got
angry save upon that one memorial
occasion when as a young lawyer he
rhrashed d fellow who had libeled
raft's father. Even then Taft took
ais own time about getting good and
mad.
The little Fillipinos were awed by
the immense size of the American
who had been sent to guide them into
the paths of progress. At first they
held aloof. Presently they Logan to
come closer. There was something
in the Taft smile irresistibly attrac-
tive. This big American was by no
means so fierce as his size suggested.
de was in fact docile and affable, a
friendly sort of fellow, who seemed
to want to help folks along. More
over, he had no exaggerated sense of
MS own Importance. He wore no uni
form, no gold lace, no badges of dis
tinction. White hannels or duck suf
iced for Governor Taft's garb, with d
cap or straw hat to cover his eX-
pansive head. He went around
among the natives just like an old
friend, studying their needs, inform
ing himself as to their history, so
that he might better appreciate
their point of view, and always pass
ing upon matters of administration
in the spirit of the jurist on the
bench who weighs carefully both
sides of case before delivering his
opinion.
The result of the Taft methods and
the Taft manners was that the Fill
ninOs came to love the large and
liberal American who was sent to
rule over them. They called him
Saint Taft, and when he departed
for the United States they were not
to be comforted. Governor Taft had
remained long enough to prove to the
ISLANDERS that the United States has
40 intention to exploit them or their
resources for the benefit of anybody
other than themselves He had
made good his expressed desire to do
something to help the Filipino peo-
Pile. He had shown that the archi
pelagO's new government was for he
beueit of the native people and moi
in the interest of the American set
tiers. This attitude of guardian
nation to a ward was something new
under the sun. and it required some
time for the fact to percolate into
the Filipino understanding and into
the appreciation of the skeptic
world.
When William Fl. Taft in 1901 re-
turned to enter the cabinet he al
ready was man with a career. He
had achieved enough to place his
name securely in American history.
But his career was still in the making
The United States found it necessary
under treaty provisions to interfere
in the affairs of Cuba in the interest
Of peace and a stable government
Secretary TAFT proceeded to the
island and nursed it through the throes
Of civic revolution. In Cuba, as in
the Philippines, Taft spelled tact"
Though in public life for a quarter
Of century, Mr.. Taft's only elective
office was that of superior court Judge
in Ohio. That office he resigned to
accept a presidential appointment.
rhe fact that four presidents of the
United States have selected him for
important posts indicates the capabil-
ties of the man. Taft was but TWEEN
ty-four years of age when President
Arthur made him collector of inter
nal revenue for the district in which
he lived. This position, which the
average politician would be de-
lighted to get, Taft resigned after
ess than a year in order to practice
law.
Some of his friends felt that in &c
cepting the Craftsmanship of the Phil
ppine commission and quitting the
bench he was FORGETTING a fine career
As Il jurist. Twice during his stay in
the Philippine Islands he could have
lscended the supreme bench had he
been willing to quit his work in the