[1] In April 1898, Smith joined the United States Army and served in the Spanish–American War as Colonel of the 1st California Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and participated in the Capture of Guam.

[1] Following the end of the war, Smith held a number of offices on the Philippine Commission, including Secretary of Public Instruction and Vice-Governor.

On March 28, 1907, Smith issued a statement claiming that the people of the Philippines had largely been "law-abiding, peaceful, and loyal to the United States" according to a 1905 census.

[4] Smith was nominated by President William Howard Taft on March 9, 1910, to the United States Court of Customs Appeals (later the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals), to a new Associate Judge seat authorized by 36 Stat.

[1] His service terminated on June 29, 1928, due to his death in Washington, D.C.[1] Smith was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, Alcatraz Parlor No.