H former members 1900–1946 H Benito Legarda 1853–1915 RESIDENT COMMISSIONER 1907–1912 PROGRESISTA FROM THE PHILIPPINES prominent entrepreneur before entering Congress, Legarda belonged to a class of well-educated Filipinos Benito Legarda served as one of the first Resident commonly called the ilustrados (the enlightened ones), Commissioners from the Philippines. Elected to men who had often grown wealthy and successful under theA U.S. House of Representatives in 1907, Legarda used Spanish rule but who had also challenged the Spanish his vast business experience to influence tariff legislation colonial structure from within. Their status as cultural in an effort to reshape the Philippines’ economy. He was elites may have given the ilustrados more conservative close friends with President William H. Taft—the two first tendencies, but their history as internal reformers enabled met when Taft served as civil governor of the Philippines at men like Legarda to identify with the movement for the turn of the century—and Legarda worked closely with political control that took shape in the 1890s. “They officials from the Bureau of Insular Affairs on a host of emphatically desired reform,” wrote Peter W. Stanley trade issues. While many Filipinos called for independence, in his history of Philippine independence, “particularly Legarda took a more measured approach and believed the guaranteed civil liberties, decentralization of government, island government should first establish consistent sources separation of church and state, and recognition of their of revenue before it sought independence. “He was a man position as leaders in Filipino life.”4 of the highest repute,” Democratic Senator William Stone As a result, when the Philippines went to war with of Missouri said about Legarda, “clear-headed, intelligent, Spain in 1896, Legarda backed the independence forces patriotic, representative, and worthy in every way of the and served as an adviser to General Emilio Aguinaldo. greatest confidence.”1 Legarda was by no means a revolutionary, but he Benito Legarda was born on September 27, 1853, in represented the Jolo Province in the revolutionary Malolos Binondo, Manila Province, Philippines, to Benito Legarda congress—named after the town about 30 miles north Sr., a Spaniard, and Cirila Tuason. Legarda attended the of Manila where the rebel government gathered—and Ateneo de Manila University and matriculated to the nominally served as its vice president. Legarda only University of Santo Tomas, also in Manila, where he attended session twice, however, later telling American graduated with a law degree in 1874. His family, according authorities, “I did not like it, and I did not swear to to one account, had been “distinguished for decades in support the constitution.” He also served as director of the the business and political life of the Spanish regime,” and new government’s treasury department.5 Legarda was himself an adept businessman, founding With the American occupation of the islands in the Germinal cigar factory and making a fortune in the February 1898, Legarda drifted away from the objectives tobacco and alcohol industries. Legarda married twice, of his more radical counterparts in the revolutionary the second time to Teresa de la Paz, and together they had congress. War was bad for business, and he had a lot to three children.2 lose if he backed the wrong side. Legarda resigned from the In the midst of his lucrative business career, which made Malolos congress, and returned to Manila where he found him one of the wealthiest men in the Philippines, Legarda allies in United States General and military governor of the won election to the municipal council of Manila and Philippines Elwell S. Otis and William H. Taft, the islands’ served as lieutenant mayor of the Quiapo District in 1891.3 civil governor and future President of the United States. 124 H ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICANS IN CONGRESS Image courtesy of the Library of Congress 42940_05-APA-MP1.indd 124 2/13/2018 11:55:18 AM Benito Legarda 1853–1915 RESIDENT COMMISSIONER 1907–1912 PROGRESISTA FROM THE PHILIPPINES 42940_05-APA-MP1.indd 125 2/13/2018 11:55:26 AM H benito legarda H By siding with the Americans, Legarda risked becoming a Perhaps unsurprisingly, the debate over taxes in the target of the nationalist guerrilla fighters, but he nevertheless Philippines revealed a rift in relations with America. Legarda remained in Manila, where he kept a large, “palatially challenged the notion that Filipinos would simply accept furnished home.”6 Legarda ended up testifying before a the recommendations from their American counterparts panel of American investigators studying how best to install on the commission. At the time, both his party, which had a new government. Called the first Philippines commission, changed its name to the Progresistas, and everyday Filipinos the panel heard statements on a range of topics, including were thinking broadly about their home’s political future. the archipelago’s economic potential. Legarda, who touted Although Legarda and many other business and cultural his credentials as a captain of industry, complained to the leaders remained wary of independence, it was not long commission that the Philippines lacked a stable currency before a younger generation of Filipinos built a nationalist and protections against foreign competition. “There is no movement. By the time Philippine voters elected their first security in business,” he said. 7 assembly under U.S. control in 1907, independence had Legarda quickly became a key figure in newly formed become a potent force.12 Partido Federal (Federal Party), which controlled patronage With the formation of the new Philippine government, and worked closely with the Americans to create a new civil Legarda suddenly found himself with a new job. As part government. After Taft assumed the office of civil governor, of the new arrangement, the legislation authorized the he appointed Legarda to the second Philippine commission Philippines to send two Resident Commissioners to on September 1, 1901. Taft formed a close personal and Washington to represent it before Congress. In an attempt professional friendship with Legarda and once described to balance the interests of both the Philippine commission, him as “a public-spirited citizen of high character” in a which had a notable American influence, and the assembly, letter to President Theodore Roosevelt.8 which had a large nationalist contingent, the two legislative Since its creation at the turn of the century, the bodies agreed to elect a candidate of their own choosing who Philippine commission, which Legarda likened to the would then be quickly ratified by the opposite chamber.13 American Senate, functioned as an advisory board with The commission, as many expected, chose Legarda on legislative powers for the new Manila government. It was November 22, 1907 ; the assembly selected Pablo Ocampo, staffed by both U.S. officials and Filipino Federalistas who had played a prominent part in the rebellion.14 Both sympathetic to America’s goals in the Pacific. Within a seemed well regarded. “The presence of these commissioners short while, Legarda had won the reputation as one of “the should prove of value to the members of the House,” wrote prestigious figures at the center of the party,” working to the Washington Post, “as it brings there men who are well strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and posted on Philippine matters and who can, presumably, the United States.9 In fact, according to one historian of speak with authority on affairs in the archipelago.”15 U.S.–Philippine relations, Legarda was one of a handful Legarda and Ocampo, both of whom were reportedly of ilustrados who questioned the Philippines’ ability for reluctant to accept the job, were somewhat different “self-government” and “even advocated the indefinite selections for the office of Resident Commissioner, and continuation of American rule.”10 Legarda served on the their appointments underscored the tension between the commission for six years. Philippine commission and the assembly. Whereas Legarda In 1904, when U.S. officials unveiled sweeping changes had risen to power by working with American officials, to the Philippines’ tax system, Legarda flexed his own Ocampo made his name by routinely speaking out against political muscle and fought the proposal. At one point, as foreign influence.16 the debate dragged on, he and one of his Filipino colleagues The commission and the assembly wanted Legarda and even threatened to resign from the commission in protest.11 Ocampo to leave for the United States as soon as possible 126 H ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICANS IN CONGRESS 42940_05-APA-MP1.indd 126 2/13/2018 11:55:26 AM H benito legarda H in order to join the upcoming debate over U.S. tariffs on Islands arise in either house of congress we expect to fully Philippine goods. Travel from Manila to the United States inform the homeland legislators.”25 This was also a personal in the early 1900s required long boat rides, including a concern for Legarda, who admitted that he wanted stop in Hong Kong in order to catch a steamer to San independence, but just was not sure how to get it. “That’s Francisco. Legarda became seasick easily, and the trip across the question,” he said. “I do not want to stand the risk of the Pacific on a smaller vessel made him nervous.17 By the possible civil war or anarchy, for I have property to lose.”26 time they left in late December, some Filipino businessmen Like any lawmaker, Legarda’s chances for success rested feared that the Resident Commissioners would arrive in on his ability to influence the legislative process, which, Washington too late to help craft tariff legislation, but Taft in 1908, seemed tenuous. At least one Manila-based had reassured Legarda there would be plenty of time to Washington Post correspondent wondered openly what address his concerns.18 kind of “powers and prerogatives” Legarda and Ocampo Legarda was something of a media darling when he would have in the House.