I have always thought that the reason Governor Wright did not go back to the Philippines as Governor after 1905 was that he did not continue to “jolly” the Filipinos, and abstain from ruthlessly crushing their hopes of seeing independence during their lifetime, as Mr. Taft did continuously during his stay out there. The inevitable tendency of the Wright frank talk was from the beginning to discredit the Taft pleasing and evasive nothings. Also, it was followed, as we have seen, by quite a crop of serious disturbances of public order, and somebody had to be “the goat.”
[1] Delivered in 1902, after the Senator visited the Islands in 1901.
[2] The following is a copy of the letter accepting my resignation:
Office of the Civil Governor of the Philippine Islands,
January 25, 1905.
My dear Judge Blount:
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday in which you tender your resignation as Judge of First Instance at large. I regret extremely that your ill-health has made this course imperative. Under all the circumstances, however, I am satisfied that you have acted wisely, as I have feared for some time that you would be unable to perform the duties pertaining to your office because of your physical condition. I, therefore, though with much regret accept your resignation.
At the same time I beg to express my appreciation of the faithful and efficient services you have rendered in the past. I hope very much that a rest and change of climate may have the effect of restoring you again to vigorous health, and I assure you that you carry with you my best wishes for your future prosperity and happiness.
Sincerely yours,
Luke E. Wright,
Civil Governor.
To the Honorable James H. Blount, Judge of First Instance at large, Manila, P. I.