Your TR Source
President Roosevelt tells Philip Battell Stewart that he wishes he could have been in camp with Stewart. Roosevelt also informs Stewart about happenings in the New Mexico Territory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-13
President Roosevelt likes Arizona Governor Kibbey’s letter regarding Judge Edward Kent. He confides in Kibbey that he is unsure what policy to pursue concerning statehood. While the issue of joint statehood with New Mexico is likely dead, Roosevelt still wants to meet with “leaders of the…fight,” and invites Kibbey. Roosevelt will not accept Kibbey’s resignation as he is doing right by the people, unlike former New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-27
President Roosevelt finds it unpleasant to request the resignation of a government official. Acting Governor of New Mexico James W. Raynolds’s actions make him undesirable in the office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-19
President Roosevelt informs Governor Curry of New Mexico of his upcoming discussion with Ormsby McHarg. Roosevelt insists Curry’s subordinates meet standards of honesty. He requests Curry look into former Governor of New Mexico Territory Herbert J. Hagerman’s use of public money and supposes that Willard S. Hopewell and George W. Pritchard have already been removed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-09
President Roosevelt has met with New Mexico Territory Governor George Curry and shares his findings with Assistant Attorney General McHarg. Roosevelt says Curry can be trusted absolutely, and that he will aid McHarg in any possible way in his investigation of political and judicial corruption in New Mexico. Roosevelt warns McHarg that Curry’s predecessor, Herbert J. Hagerman, and his associates will do everything possible to turn him against Curry. In a postscript, Roosevelt sends a report from Bernard Shandon Rodey regarding Hagerman’s father, James John Hagerman, and his alleged corrupt practices. Roosevelt asks McHarg to visit him after his preliminary investigation of the situation but before he “probes…to the bottom.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-31
President Roosevelt shares his thoughts and reasoning with New Mexico Attorney General Llewellyn regarding the removal of former Governor Herbert J. Hagerman and former Secretary of New Mexico Territory James W. Raynolds from office. Roosevelt finds the actions of Raynolds and Hagerman inexplicable, and suspects that Hagerman to be the “tool of powerful corrupt interests.” Roosevelt insists that the conduct of his appointees in New Mexico Territory must be free of misconduct or the appearance of misconduct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-29
President Roosevelt sends Philip Battell Stewart several copies of letters regarding former New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman. Roosevelt previously believed Hagerman to be “merely a fool” rather than actually corrupt, but is starting to revise his opinion. In a postscript, Roosevelt mentions that railroad attorneys in New Mexico seem to support Hagerman, causing him to believe that by demanding Hagerman’s resignation, Roosevelt stopped “some improper scheme,” and hopes the schemes will become widely public.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-27
President Roosevelt reports that he has been “very much discontented” by the recent controversy around New Mexico governor Herbert J. Hagerman. Roosevelt initially thought Hagerman was merely foolish, but now wonders if he were not a knave like those with whom he committed a “swindling land transaction.” Roosevelt has removed Hagerman from office and appointed George Curry in his place.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-27
President Roosevelt forwards some correspondence regarding former New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman to Assistant Attorney General Cooley. Roosevelt believes whether or not Hagerman himself is corrupt, his wealthy friends are “very crooked” and they intend to make trouble.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-27
President Roosevelt has received Secretary of the Interior Garfield’s letter. Roosevelt will not make any announcement about Arizona and has no intention of speaking about statehood. He asks that Garfield not speak on the subject.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-26
William Bayard Cutting sends Theodore Roosevelt a copy of the Las Cruces Citizen asking him to verify a quotation that troubled ex-Governor Otero.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-11
Alford Warriner Cooley reports to President Roosevelt of his visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Although the conspiracy was formed in New Mexico, Cooley observes that the main case can be brought in the District of Columbia because the overt act was committed there. Cooley details his conversation with George Curry, who expects to see the president in Saint Louis, Missouri, on October 1. After Albert B. Fall and William H. H. Llewellyn leave, Cooley does not expect to have any difficulties in New Mexico.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-10
Territorial Governor of New Mexico Curry appreciates President Roosevelt’s confidence in him, promising to justify it. Supporters of Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks held a demonstration during his recent visit to the territory, which proved “an absolute failure.” If able, Curry will meet Roosevelt in St. Louis, Missouri, to discuss New Mexico affairs. Despite the general support of his administration, Curry admits he does “do[es] not like” being governor, but will continue for the present because Roosevelt wishes for him to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-30
Assistant Attorney General Cooley returns Philip Battell Stewart’s letter to President Roosevelt. He also includes a report from Stewart’s attorney wherein he tries to cast doubt on Cooley’s account and the propriety of Roosevelt’s choice to remove Herbert J. Hagerman from the position of territorial governor of New Mexico. Cooley cites multiple cases that give precedent to his claims. He feels that Hagerman was treated leniently.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-23
Assistant Attorney General Cooley provides President Roosevelt with a preliminary report on the circumvention or violation of laws relating to the disposal of public lands in the Territory of New Mexico, including the involvement of the Territory’s governor, Herbert J. Hagerman. Cooley presents evidence that Hagerman’s actions were both “illegal and unjustifiable.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-12
President Roosevelt tells Philip Battell Stewart that he is a friend worth having, and that his faith in the Department of the Interior is almost shaken with regards to the Hagermans. Roosevelt cannot believe that Hitchcock was not an honest man, but he comments that he did have poor judgement and temper.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-15
President Roosevelt writes Philip Battell Stewart privately about Herbert J. Hagerman. He did not previously believe that there was anything against Hagerman’s personal honesty, but now thinks that the evidence suggests that he was involved with trying to swindle the government. Roosevelt forwards a letter from Secretary of the Interior James Rudolph Garfield that sets forth some of the case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-17
While President Roosevelt acknowledges Surveyor General of New Mexico Llewellyn did not benefit from the land transactions, he was not “careful and vigilant” in following the law. Roosevelt requests Llewellyn’s resignation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-07
President Roosevelt explains his actions regarding Herbert J. Hagerman’s tenure as Governor of the Territory of New Mexico. He had to hold the governor accountable if he intended to do so with any lesser officials.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-24
President Roosevelt instructs Attorney General Bonaparte to initiate lawsuits to remedy the actions of former New Mexico Governors Miguel Antonio Otero and Herbert J. Hagerman. He asks Bonaparte to consider having a speech made to explain what is wrong with the proposed Oklahoma constitution. In the postscript, Roosevelt asks Bonaparte if they could visit about how to approach anti-trust cases involving railroad companies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-26