Hagerman, Herbert J. (Herbert James), 1871-1935

Reapportionment by governor upheld

A newspaper article providing the full judicial opinion of Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of New Mexico Ira A. Abbot. Abbott “sustains the action of Governor Herbert J. Hagerman in making a reapportionment of the territory for legislative representation.” Mayor of Santa Fe Thomas Benton Catron, plaintiff, opposed the reapportionment as it diminished his share of representation. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-16

Note regarding letter from law firm

This note indicates the attached letter is from the “same law firm that wrote Alfred Henry Lewis about the Hagerman matter.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-27

Private dispatches at public expense

Former New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman sent many private telegrams at public expense, which this newspaper article suggests reveals his corruption. Several personal telegrams are reprinted. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-15

That contempt of court

The editorial writers of the Alburquerque Morning Journal claim the paper would be in contempt of court if the writers were to discuss the report of referee Charles V. Safford in the case of Prison Superintendent Holm Olaf Bursum. The Alburquerque Evening Citizen encourages the Morning Journal to address a series of questions in order to keep “what little self respect it has.” The list of questions to be answered includes queries about the Bursum case, corrupt prison practices, and the alleged corruption of New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philip Battell Stewart

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philip Battell Stewart

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-17

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Morgan Llewellyn

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-07

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philip Battell Stewart

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Joseph H. Kibbey

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Jefferson Raynolds and Joshua S. Raynolds

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to George Curry

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ormsby McHarg

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.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-31

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. H. Llewellyn

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philip Battell Stewart

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alfred Henry Lewis

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alford Warriner Cooley

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-27

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Rudolph Garfield

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philip Battell Stewart

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-24

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Charles J. Bonaparte

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.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-26

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philip Battell Stewart

President Roosevelt disputes Philip Battell Stewart’s view of the New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman controversy. Roosevelt informs Stewart that Hagerman answered the charges and did not dispute Alford Warriner Cooley’s report. Roosevelt notes that he is having United States District Attorney William H. H. Llewellyn investigated. He discusses the background and support for Captain George Curry to replace Hagerman as governor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-11