Editor’s note: This is part of a weekly series marking the 121st anniversary of Niles native William McKinley’s U.S. presidency.

On Jan. 16, the president met at the White House with Dr. Jacob Schurman, president of Cornell University. Schurman stated as he left the White House that he accepted a position to head a commission of five to study the economic and social problems of the Philippines.

Other members of the commission all had expert knowledge of the Philippines. Col. Charles Denby was for many years minister to China and was familiar with the people and problems of the Orient. Professor Dean Worcester of Ann Arbor University spent four years in the Philippines. He studied the political economy of the islands at close range and he knew Aguinaldo and other insurgent leaders.

Maj.-Gen. Elwell Otis commanded the Eighth Army Corps during the Battle of Manila. He was also appointed military governor for the Philippines. He fought against Filipino forces under Emilio Aguinaldo. Admiral George Dewey participated in the Civil War, helping the Union to take control of the Mississippi River. After the war, he served on several ships and taught at the Naval Academy. Dewey led the attack on Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War, sinking the entire Spanish fleet. His fleet assisted in the capture of Manila.

On the evening of Jan. 16, the second Cabinet dinner of the year was given by Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs. Gage, who entertained the president and Mrs. McKinley. The dinner was one of the most beautifully decorated dinners ever served in Washington. Twenty other guests attended.

On Jan. 20, the First Philippine Commission, also known as the Schurman Commission, was established. The President met with Chairman Jacob Schurman, Col. Charles Denby and Professor Worcester to issue full instructions for the purpose and scope of the investigation in the Philippines.

Dewey and Otis were already in the Philippines. The commission left for the Orient on Jan. 30. The commission was not subject to the confirmation of the United States Senate, but was named under the reserved authority of the president and its expenses were paid out of war appropriations. This body was not like the one that visited Hawaii the previous year — they were simply the eyes and ears for President McKinley, who could not make a trip to the islands himself. There was no interference with the governing of the island.

The week concluded with McKinley issuing executive orders fixing the rates between United States money and Puerto Rican coins and a new tariff to take effect Feb. 1, 1899. The regulations and general makeup of the tariff were similar to one put into operation in Cuba, except that the rate of duty was about 15 percent ad valorem (in proportion to the estimated value of the goods or transaction concerned) or 10 percent less than the Cuban tariff.

Linda Knepp is a librarian at the McKinley Memorial Library and coordinator for the McKinley Birthplace Home.