had filled the executive chair a greater continuous period than any other governor, Mexican or AmerADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR ican, with the exception of Manuel Armijo. Early in the year 1906, Herbert J. Hagerman 461 was ap HERBERT J. HAGERMAN pointed to succeed him. When nominated, the new governor was scarcely known to the people of New Mexico. It was generally believed that he had been chosen for the express purpose of assisting in uncovering frauds in the sale and disposal of lands acquired by the territory under the Fergusson Act of June 21, 1898. Influences at Washington, investigations by special agents, and reports from disinterested but prominent citizens had convinced the secretary of the interior, Ethan Allen Hitchcock, that great frauds in the location and disposal of coal lands to corporations and special interests, to some of which the territorial officials and their friends were parties, had been committed. The correction of these abuses was determined upon by the Washington authorities. It was generally believed, and afterward claimed by Governor Hagerman, that the policies inaugurated by him in New Mexico, were outlined by President Roosevelt himself. Governor Hagerman, utterly unfamiliar with the methods in vogue in New Mexican politics, except by hearsay, was not qualified by experience with the talent necessary for the carrying out of the policies which were initiated by him immediately after his inauguration. A man of lofty ideals, sincere in his efforts and looking to the correction of the abuses which he believed existed in the public affairs of the territory, he lacked tact in carrying his plans into effect. Shortly after assuming the duties of executive, several in 461 Herbert J. Hagerman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 15, 1871. His father, J. J. Hagerman, was the leading factor in the modern development of the agricultural resources of the Pecos valley in southeastern New Mexico. Governor Hagerman received his early education in the public schools and graduated from Cornell University. After graduation he entered the diplomatic service of the United States and served as assistant secretary under two American ambassadors to Russia, Ethan Allen Hitchcock and Charlemagne Tower. Resigning this position, he was appointed governor of New Mexico early in 1906, and served until 1907, when he resigned. Since that time he has lived at Roswell, New Mexico, where he has been active in the social, business, and political life of the community. In 1911, he was largely instrumental in the organization of the progressive republican forces of the territory, and, in great measure, contributed to the defeat of Holm O. Bursum, republican candidate for governor, and other candidates on the regular republican state ticket. cumbents of territorial and district offices remained filled by appointees of Governor Otero, every one of whom had received his appointment by recommendation of the republican machine, of which Holm O. Bursum was the chief, being at the time the chairman of the republican territorial central committee. Governor Hagerman also made the serious mistake of consenting to the retention in office of James Wallace Raynolds,462 secretary of New Mexico, and also the secretary of the committee of which Mr. Bursum was the chairman. Mr. Raynolds was the business partner of Governor Otero, and the office of secretary of the territory was the most lucrative of any in New Mexico, whether filled by presidential or gubernatorial selection. He was possessed of more than ordinary ability and his counsel was generally followed by the leaders of the republican party. In education and general knowledge he was superior to any of the prominent politicians with whom he was associated and whose confidence he enjoyed. What Governor Hagerman needed was a man in the position held by Mr. Raynolds in whom he could repose entire political confidence. This opportunity came to him, but he ignored the chance, which, if it had been taken advantage of, would have made his career successful and would have so firmly established him in the good graces of the president that the charges which the leading politicians subsequently brought against him either would never have been made, or, if urged, would have had no force at the White House.463 462 James Wallace Raynolds was born in Pueblo, Colorado, in 1873. He was the son of Jefferson and Martha (Cowan) Raynolds, his father being one of the most prominent of the early bankers of New Mexico. In 1891, he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in the mining engineering course in 1896. Returning to New Mexico, he was appointed assistant secretary of the territory, under George H. Wallace. Upon the death of the latter, in 1901, he was appointed secretary by President McKinley. In December of the same year, he was re-appointed by President Roosevelt, and again in 1905, he was named for the position. The biennial report and legislative Manual of 1905, prepared by him, is one of the most comprehensive official publications ever issued in the history of the territory. He was appointed superintendent of the penitentiary, April 23, 1909. He was the secretary of the territorial republican central committee and demonstrated his shrewdness as a politician and a leader. His health failing him, he was compelled to resign the position of superintendent of the penitentiary, and, while being taken to Excelsior Springs, Mo., for treatment, died on the train, near Tucumcari, New Mexico, March 10, 1910. 463 Governor Hagerman received a letter from the president, Theodore Roosevelt, intimating that he would be much gratified if Governor Hagerman could find a suitable position in his power to give to Captain George Curry, who The chairman of the republican central committee at the time. of Governor Hagerman's induction into office was Holm O. Bursum, who occupied the position of superintendent of the territorial penitentiary. Together with Solomon Luna,464 national committeeman, and Secretary Raynolds he was without doubt the most potent factor in the republican organization. One of the first acts of the new was at the time in the Philippine Islands in the service of the government, but desirous of returning to New Mexico. Captain Curry had been an officer in the Rough Rider regiment; had served with great distinction in military as well as civil positions in the Philippines and was a personal friend of the president. Governor Hagerman consulted with none of his intimates relative to this request from Colonel Roosevelt, and, in reply, wrote the president that he knew of nothing within the governor's patronage which he could offer Captain Curry unless possibly it might be the position of game warden. Educated in diplomatic circles, it is almost inconceivable that Governor Hagerman could have failed to recognize the force of this "presidential desire." It is small wonder, in the light of political events occurring just at that time- the republican national convention of 1908 was in sight that President Roosevelt gave ear to the charges that would enable him to replace Governor Hagerman with a man who at least knew the rudiments of the American game of politics. No one in New Mexico, familiar with the political situation at the time and cognizant of the trend of territorial affairs, but knows that had Governor Hagerman intimated to the president that the secretaryship of New Mexico was a fitting reward for Captain Curry's services to his country, Mr. Raynolds would have been succeeded by Captain Curry, Governor Hagerman would have had the benefit of counsel from one of the most astute politicians in New Mexico, and the political history of the territory and the first state campaign would not be written as found in this volume. 464 Solomon Luna was born at Los Lunas, New Mexico, October 18, 1858. He is the son of Don Antonio José Luna and Isabella (Baca) Luna, whose ancestors came to New Mexico early in the eighteenth century. Mr. Luna received his education from private tutors and graduated from St. Louis University. Having reached his majority, he followed in the line of his distinguished ancestors and became prominently interested in the sheep raising industry, a business which he has since continued to follow. In point of numbers and invested capital Mr. Luna is the most heavily interested of any sheep owner in New Mexico. In 1881, was consummated his marriage to Miss Adelaida Otero, daughter of Don Manuel Rito Otero, a representative of the old and distinguished family of that name. She is the granddaughter of Judge Antonio José Otero, whom General Kearny elevated to the bench of New Mexico at the time of the American occupation of the territory. Mr. Luna has been called to public office many times by the people of his native county of Valencia; in 1885, he was elected probate clerk; in 1892, he held the office of sheriff, and in 1894, he was chosen treasurer and collector of the county, a position which he has held ever since. In 1896, he was chosen the member of the national republican committee from New Mexico, a position he still holds. Mr. Luna has been a great power in the republican politics of New Mexico. In business life, he is considered to be one of the ablest and shrewdest. He is vice-president of the First National Bank of Alburquerque and is heavily interested in the business life of that city. Mr. Luna, more than any other, is responsible for the nomination of H. O. Bursum as the republican candidate for governor at the election in November, 1911, which resulted in his defeat. The great majority of his party believed that Mr. Luna should have been the candidate for governor and, with Mr. Luna's executive was the removal of Mr. Bursum 465 as superintendent of the penitentiary and the appointment of Arthur Trelford, an expert prison manager who had been employed in some capacity at the Federal prison near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to the position. This action on the part of the governor resulted in arraying against him and his administration whatever influence could be exerted by the friends of Mr. Bursum and the active machine politicians of the territory. The appointment of a non-resident to the superintendency of the penitentiary was unwise and impolitic; but the governor had ideas of prison management and proposed to introduce them in New Mexico. From a business standpoint and as an experiment in criminology and prison discipline it is possible that the appointment was made with some wisdom; the fact remained, however, that New Mexico and her people as a whole were not interested in such experiments. There were plenty of men in New Mexico capable of filling the position. It failed signally in making a good impression upon the politicians, who regarded the prison superintendency as a political office. The governor, having investigated the accounts of Mr. Bursum as superintendent, charged him with consent, he would have been the unanimous choice of the first republican state convention, but Mr. Luna had espoused the cause of Mr. Bursum, had given his word to support him, and it was not possible, as Mr. Luna believed and declared, for him to become the gubernatorial candidate. 465 Holm 0. Bursum was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in 1867. His parents were Frank O. and Maria (Hilton) Bursum, who came to the United States from Norway in 1865. Until nine years of age, Mr. Bursum lived on a farm; during two years he attended the public schools of Fort Dodge and, at the age of eleven, began to earn his own living. When thirteen he came to New Mexico and located at Raton, just as the Santa Fé railroad was being constructed through New Mexico. He removed to San Antonio, New Mexico, and later to Ft. Wingate, where he was employed in freighting and contracting. Shortly afterward, he became interested in mining, sheep raising, and other enterprises. In 1894, he was elected sheriff of the county of Socorro. In 1898, he served in the upper house of the legislative assembly, where he established a reputation as a legislator of marked ability. In 1899, he was appointed superintendent of the penitentiary by Governor Otero and held the position until removed by Governor Hagerman. In 1904, he was chosen chairman of the republican central committee, a position which he filled with great credit, leading his party to victory in every campaign down to and including the election of delegates to the constitutional convention of 1910. As a delegate to the republican national convention of 1908, he was largely responsible for the incorporation into the republican national platform of that year of the definite statehood plank, upon which the statehood movement so largely depended for its final outcome in congress. The position taken by Mr. Bursum and the manner in which he handled the situation at the Chicago convention of 1908 is an episode of historic importance. Mr. Bursum was the republican candidate for the position of governor of the state at the election in November, 1911, and was defeated. |