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From 1901 to 1903, Taft served as the first civilian Governor-General of the Philippines, a position in which he was very popular with both Americans and Filipinos.
In 1902, Taft visited Rome to negotiate with Pope Leo XIII for the purchase of Philippine lands owned by the Roman Catholic Church.
Taft then persuaded Congress to appropriate more than $ 7 million to purchase these lands, which he sold to Filipinos on easy terms.
In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt offered Taft the seat on the Supreme Court to which he had for so long aspired, but he reluctantly declined since he viewed the Filipinos as not yet being capable of governing themselves and because of his popularity among them.
This decision was one among many in Taft's career which demonstrated a compulsive dedication to the job at hand, without regard to his self-interest.
( Roosevelt actually made the offer of a seat on the Court on several different occasions, being met with a decline every time.
) This dedication to the task at hand was the source of much frustration of his political colleagues.
According to biographer Anderson, contrary to the belief of Roosevelt and other allies, Taft's role as Governor-General in the Philippines did not serve to equip him with the political skills essential for the White House.

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