James Francis Smith

For the Australian politician, see James Francis Smith (politician). For the member of the Michigan House of Representatives, see James F. Smith (Michigan politician).

James Francis Smith
Associate Judge of the United States Court of Customs Appeals
In office March 30, 1910 – June 29, 1928
Appointed by	William Howard Taft
Preceded by	Seat established by 36 Stat. 11
Succeeded by	Finis J. Garrett
Governor-General of the Philippines
In office September 20, 1906 – November 11, 1909
President	Theodore Roosevelt William Howard Taft
Preceded by	Henry Clay Ide
Succeeded by	William Cameron Forbes
4th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
In office June 17, 1901 – February 17, 1903
Appointed by	William McKinley
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	John T. McDonough
Personal details
Born	James Francis Smith (1859-01-28)January 28, 1859 San Francisco, California
Died	June 29, 1928(1928-06-29) (aged 69) Washington, D.C.
Education	Santa Clara University (B.S., B.A., M.A.) University of California, Hastings College of the Law

James Francis Smith (January 28, 1859 – June 29, 1928) was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Governor-General of the Philippines and an associate judge of the United States Court of Customs Appeals.

Education and career

Born on January 28, 1859, in San Francisco, California, Smith received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1877 from Santa Clara University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree in 1878 from the same institution, then attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He was in private practice in California from 1881 to 1898.

In April 1898, Smith joined the United States Army and served in the Spanish–American War as Colonel of the 1st California Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and participated in the Capture of Guam. He then served in the Philippine–American War, where he served as the Collector of Customs for the Philippine Archipelago in Manila. Following the end of the war, Smith held a number of offices on the Philippine Commission, including Secretary of Public Instruction and Vice-Governor. From 1901 to 1903 he was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was Governor-General of the Philippines from 1906 to 1909.

Smith's tenure as Governor-General saw the Philippines achieving greater territorial autonomy as and allowing for greater Filipino representation in the government. On March 28, 1907, Smith issued a statement claiming that the people of the Philippines had largely been "law-abiding, peaceful, and loyal to the United States" according to a 1905 census. After the Philippines had held its first democratic elections, he was present at the inauguration of the first Philippine Assembly on October 17, 1907.

At the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition in Seattle, 1909

Smith's wife wanted to escape the summertime heat of Manila. So in 1908, he had a mansion in Baguio built as a second official residence. Smith's family became the first residents of the building.

Federal judicial service

Smith was nominated by President William Howard Taft on March 9, 1910, to the United States Court of Customs Appeals (later the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals), to a new Associate Judge seat authorized by 36 Stat. 11. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 30, 1910, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on June 29, 1928, due to his death in Washington, D.C.

Membership

Smith was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, Alcatraz Parlor No. 145.

Bibliography

• A brief history of the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals by Giles S. Rich. Washington, D.C. : Published by authorization of Committee on the Bicentennial of Independence and the Constitution of the Judicial Conference of the United States : U.S. G.P.O., 1980.

Sources

• "Smith, James Francis - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.