Morales retired from priesthood to engage in politics. He was the
President of
Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic in 1901. Morales was appointed governor of Puerto Plata after President
Juan Isidro Jimenes was overthrown in 1902. As governor he worked with the United States to overthrow
Alejandro Woss y Gil in 1903, and became president. He formed a provisional government on 6 December, and held elections in 1904. Morales, with
Ramón Cáceres as his running mate, won the 1904 election as he was the only candidate. He was
president of the Dominican Republic from November 24, 1903 until his resignation on December 29, 1905. As President, he sought
protectorate status for the Dominican Republic under the United States. In Paris, Morales flew in the Sallard N-1 at the Vidamée aerodrome on 7 December, 1913, becoming the first Dominican to fly in an airplane. ==Personal life==