Hagerman, James John, 1838-1909

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt informs Herbert J. Hagerman, Governor of New Mexico Territory, that he will not rescind Hagerman’s agreed-upon resignation. Roosevelt notes that many telegrams have come in support, as well as in disapproval, of Hagerman. He discusses in detail the actions of Hagerman which have resulted in the requested resignation. Roosevelt finishes by pointing out the solid approval of Hagerman’s replacement, George Curry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

William Loeb suggests to President Roosevelt that he should clarify that his decision to replace the resigning Governor of New Mexico Territory Herbert J. Hagerman with George Curry was his alone and not the result of outside political forces.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907

Creator(s)

Loeb, William, 1866-1937

Former New Mexico Territory Governor Hagerman has refrained from addressing President Roosevelt’s statements in his letters concerning Hagerman’s forced resignation because he felt that on further reflection, Roosevelt would correct his false accusations. However, Hagerman now feels compelled to answer the accusations Roosevelt has made against him and set the record straight. Hagerman includes a detailed timeline and description of events and persons involved in his forced resignation due to accusations of land fraud. In conclusion, Hagerman says that the entire affair has hurt the standing of the Republican Party in New Mexico and asks Roosevelt to take this into consideration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-19

Creator(s)

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

Former New Mexico Territory Governor Hagerman responds to President Roosevelt’s letter accepting his resignation in language that “should not be considered less forceful because of the absence of harsh language.” Hagerman says that in 1898, Congress placed restrictions on land leases in New Mexico Territory which were inappropriate to the landscape and climate of the territory, and ever since, individuals and businesses have worked to skirt these restrictions. When Hagerman became governor, he tried to get guidance from the federal government regarding these restrictions and the seemingly illegal contracts granted by his predecessor, but received none. Hagerman was left to either break deals made by his predecessor, or fulfill them if no harm would come to the territory, and the Pennsylvania Land Company deal was one such deal. Hagerman holds that the action he took was neither illegal nor improper, and refutes several specific points from Roosevelt’s letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-15

Creator(s)

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