He was a good lawyer, with a big heart, and a keen insight into human nature.

He thoroughly understood the Filipinos, and he made an excellent governor-general.

It was during his term of office that the Philippine Legislature, composed of an upper appointive house, the Philippine Commission, and a lower elective house, the Philippine Assembly, met for the first time on October 16, 1907.
I devote a separate chapter [478] to the Philippine Legislature and its work, so need not discuss it here.

Suffice it to say that such success as attended the work of this body during its inaugural, first and special sessions, was very largely due to the tactful influence of Governor-General Smith, who gave the speaker of the assembly much valuable, friendly counsel, and kept the two houses working in comparative harmony.

Having struggled through one session of the legislature, Governor-General Smith felt at liberty to resign.