The last American governor-general of the Philippines

Today in 1949, Frank Murphy died in Detroit, Michigan. He was mayor of Detroit, governor of Michigan, US attorney general, and associate justice of the US Supreme Court. He holds the distinction of being the last American governor-general of the Philippines and the first high commissioner to the Philippines. He is also best remembered for declaring, in 1934, the sampaguita and narra as our country's national flower and tree, respectively. He is an interesting historical figure because aside from the fact that he isn’t always remembered by history students, he was a decent and effective administrator when serving the Philippines and makes for a really interesting study.

William Francis "Frank" Murphy was born on April 13, 1890, in Harbor Beach, Michigan, to Irish immigrants. Like his father, he became a lawyer and even early on, many observed his steadfast commitment to justice. After gaining experience as a lawyer in the corporate world, he pursued a career in public service and served as a judge in the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit where he earned the reputation of being fair and impartial in his decision making. Later, as governor, he championed progressive policies and social justice initiatives, earning praise for his commitment to fighting poverty, advocating for labor rights, and promoting education. His reforms greatly improved the welfare of the people of Michigan during a time of economic hardship, firmly establishing his credentials as a champion of social justice.

He was appointed governor-general of the Philippine Islands in 1933 and served until November of 1935. His administration marked an important chapter in the history of Philippine independence. At that time, the Philippines was facing a crucial turning point in its development. The situation was so precarious that one of Murphy's predecessors doubted his ability to handle the challenging task ahead, believing that Murphy lacked the prior experience necessary to deal with the pressing issues of the country.

However, his genuine concern and empathy for ordinary Filipinos, particularly the land-hungry and oppressed tenant farmers, remained consistent with his advocacy during his time as mayor in Detroit. He strongly emphasized the importance of social justice for all, supported and endorsed women’s suffrage early in the fight for universal suffrage in the country, and was the one to affix his signature to a woman suffrage bill in December 1933. In 1935, the office of the governor-general was replaced with the position of high commissioner and Murphy remained as high commissioner, a position which was agreed upon in 1934 as part of the preparation for Philippine independence.

He returned to the US a year later and ran for and won as governor of Michigan. His term of office saw efforts to cut unemployment as well as look into mental health issues. Unfortunately, he was defeated in the 1938 gubernatorial elections. In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Murphy as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving until his death. This appointment brought his strong sense of justice and a deep empathy for the vulnerable to the highest court in the land. His tenure in the Supreme Court was marked by impassioned dissenting opinions, where he often advocated for civil liberties and constitutional rights. His most significant contribution during was in shaping the modern interpretation of the Fourth Amendment. He argued that the amendment protected citizens from unwarranted government intrusion, advocating for a broader interpretation that recognized an individual's right to privacy. His views laid the foundation for future landmark decisions on privacy rights.

Like many historical figures in our country, Frank Murphy remains unknown to many. Yet he exemplified the transformational potential of an individual dedicated to justice and public service. From his early days as a legal scholar to his influential positions, his unwavering commitment to justice and equality served as a beacon of inspiration. His contributions continues to resonate today, reminding us of the importance of fighting for a more just and equitable society.