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 32 as judge. To this Mr. Taft replied, "There are bigger things in this world than money." The reply reveals the standard of the man who made it. In 1896 Mr. Taft became dean of the law department of the University of Cincinnati, but in March, 1900, he resigned this position, and his office as Judge of the Circuit Court, to accept the appointment of President of the United States Philippine Commission urged upon him by President McKinley. As a judge Mr. Taft had proved remarkably efficient in the transaction of business. His impartial consideration of all cases which came before him, his candid consideration of claims which were made against powerful money interests, his kindly treatment of young lawyers who, with little experience to aid them, appeared in his court, gave him the respect and confidence of the bar and of the pubhc. His personal preferences were strongly for continuing in his office as judge, and his professional ambition pointed in the same direction. But affairs in the Philippines were in a serious condition, and believing that he could serve his country better there than at home, he sailed for the islands, and with characteristic earnestness and energy entered upon the extremely difficult task of planning and founding a form of government which should be adapted to the needs of the islanders.

On July 4, 1901, he became the first Civil Governor of the Philippines. In the following November ill health compelled him temporarily to turn over the duties of his office to Vice-Governor Wright. In December, 1901, by command of the secretary of war, he came to Washington to testify before committees of the senate and the house committee on Insular Affairs regarding conditions in the Philippines. At the close of this hearing, in which Governor Taft gave testimony almost daily for six weeks, he was ordered to Rome, Italy, by President Roosevelt and Secretary Root, to consult with Pope Leo XIII. concerning the purchase by the United States of certain agricultural lands in the Philippines which were occupied by religious orders. On May 17, 1902, he sailed for Rome. After prolonged conferences with the committee of cardinals named for the purpose a satisfactory basis of agreement was reached, and on July 10 Governor Taft sailed from Naples to the Philippines. He reached his destination on August 22, and at once resumed the duties of his office.

In September, 1902, President Roosevelt cabled Governor Taft asking him to accept a position on the Supreme Court bench, to