Recollections of Full Years · Chapter
X: Governor Taft explained
The chapter describes the shock of President McKinley's assassination and its impact on the American community in the Philippines, followed by the inauguration of William Howard Taft as the first Civil Governor of the Philippines on July 4,
What happens
The chapter describes the shock of President McKinley's assassination and its impact on the American community in the Philippines, followed by the inauguration of William Howard Taft as the first Civil Governor of the Philippines on July 4, 1901. It details the ceremonial events, the transition from military to civil government, and the move to Malacañan Palace, highlighting the political and personal adjustments required.
Themes in this chapter
Politics and Governance
The transition from military to civil government in the Philippines, the inauguration of the first Civil Governor, and the political maneuvering between the Commission and the military.
Adaptation to Change
The shock of McKinley's assassination and the subsequent adjustment to Roosevelt's presidency; the move to Malacañan Palace and the shift in governance style.
Cultural Encounter and Colonialism
The symbolic importance of the Governor's residence and the Ayuntamiento for Filipino perception; the use of Spanish and English in the Inaugural address.
Characters to notice
- William Howard Taft
Inaugurated as the first Civil Governor of the Philippines; delivers the Inaugural address in English and Spanish.
- Helen Herron Taft
Describes the shock of McKinley's assassination and organizes the reception for the inauguration.
- William McKinley
President whose assassination deeply affects the American community in the Philippines.
- Theodore Roosevelt
Succeeds McKinley as President; known to Taft from their time in Washington.
- Elihu Root
Secretary of War; Taft hopes he will continue in office to maintain continuity in Philippine policy.
- General Arthur MacArthur
Military Governor before Taft; honored at a reception; later recommended by Taft for promotion and a mission to China.
- General Adna Chaffee
Succeeds General MacArthur as Commanding General; moves into Taft's former house.
- Cayetano Arellano
Chief Justice of the Philippines; administers the oath of office to Taft.
Key passages
“maintenance of government by injunction, could ever be a successful candidate on a Presidential ticket, strikes me as intensely ludicrous; and had I the slightest ambition in that direction I hope that my good sense would bid me to suppress it.”
Taft finds the idea of a judge who supports government by injunction becoming president absurd and says he would suppress any such ambition.
Taft expresses his lack of presidential ambition in a letter dated August 27, 1901.
“The President has been shot.”
Taft announces that President McKinley has been shot.
The shocking news of McKinley's assassination reaches the Taft household in Manila.
“Truly, it was as if the foundations of our world had crumbled under us.”
The news of McKinley's shooting felt like the collapse of everything they relied on.
Helen Taft describes the profound impact of McKinley's assassination on the American community in the Philippines.
“I think only one unfortunate incident occurred to mar the complete harmony of the occasion, and that was furnished by a United States Congressman of the Military Committee of the House, who was visiting Manila at the time.”
A visiting U.S. Congressman caused a minor disruption at the inauguration by insisting on seating his party in a restricted area.
A small controversy at the inaugural ceremony involving a Congressman and seating arrangements.
“Not until we did, would the Filipinos be convinced that Civil Government was actually established.”
Only after moving into Malacañan Palace would Filipinos believe that civil government had truly replaced military rule.
The move to the Governor's residence was symbolically important for establishing the legitimacy of civil government.
