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Secretary of the Interior Garfield reports to President Roosevelt regarding illegal land sales in New Mexico. Garfield states that commissioners and past governors conspired to sell more publicly-owned land than was legal. Garfield recommends that the men involved should be prosecuted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-27
Assistant Attorney General Cooley writes President Roosevelt concerning an issue of political corruption in New Mexico. Governor Herbert J. Hagerman illegally sold New Mexican land to Willard S. Hopewell, which Hopewell then transferred to the Pennsylvania Land Development Company to build the Santa Fe Central Railroad. Cooley meticulously looks at a letter that Hagerman sent to Roosevelt and points out the fallacies of his logic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-23
James John Hagerman begs Secretary of State Root to delay his son Governor Herbert J. Hagerman’s impending resignation. Hagerman believes that President Roosevelt is being persuaded by immoral men to confirm the resignation and install George Curry in his place. Hagerman implores Root to end these proceedings and to allow the people of New Mexico to retain their governor. Hagerman concludes his letter with a list of men who verify his son’s standing as a trustworthy person.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-27
Governor Herbert J. Hagerman asks for the help of Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot in persuading President Theodore Roosevelt to reconsider asking for Hagerman’s resignation. Hagerman reports that the general feeling in New Mexico is that the charges against him are unjust and messages of support are not reaching Roosevelt. Hagerman feels that this course of action will be a “calamity to the territory” and “considered as actual endorsement of corrupt and honest men.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-26
William P. Metcalf criticizes President Roosevelt’s public statement about Charles H. Moyer and Big Bill Haywood. Moyer and Haywood are being caught up in a drag net that has also caught their prosecutor, William Edgar Borah, yet in the latter case the administration has demanded an explanation from the district attorney who brought the indictment. The methods of the administration are unjust and unfair.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-24
William H. H. Llewellyn writes to William Loeb regarding an investigation of the management of the penitentiary in New Mexico by Holm Olaf Bursum. While Llewellyn does not want to defend Bursum from any actual wrongdoing, he has known Bursum for twenty-five years, and he does not believe that he has any personal dishonesty, especially with regards to his finances. Llewellyn believes Bursum can disprove the charges against him. He believes that Governor Herbert J. Hagerman is stirring up trouble.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-08
Llewellyn, William H. H. (William Henry Harrison), 1851-1927
William H. Andrews conveys to William Loeb his feeling that Governor Herbert Hagerman of the New Mexico Territory is trying to “make trouble for us” by hinting at an investigation of Holm O. Bursum and the financial records of a penitentiary. Andrews asserts that Bursum has done no wrong. Regarding Arizona’s bid for statehood, Andrews wrote to approximately 100 Rough Riders there; most are loyal to the President, but a dozen or so responded negatively. Governor Joseph Kibbey of Arizona is “out to defeat joint statehood,” but if Wilson is appointed in Kibbey’s place, Andrews feels statehood would carry in Arizona.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-08
William H. Andrews confirms receipt of William Loeb’s letter. Major William Llewellyn plans to travel to Oyster Bay in order to report on matters in person. Andrews notes some opposition to joint statehood in New Mexico and Arizona due to Governor Joseph Kibbey’s “attitude,” but he is confident that they will retain majority support. Andrews brings up the fact that Governor Herbert Hagerman is stirring up trouble against members of the organization, and Llewellyn will tell Loeb all about it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-28
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-16
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-15
This note indicates the attached letter is from the “same law firm that wrote Alfred Henry Lewis about the Hagerman matter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-27
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-15