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U.S. Attorney for the New Mexico Territory Llewellyn sends William Loeb an example of communications that he and other men of influence in New Mexico have received regarding the upcoming presidential election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-17
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on several matters before him. Assistant Attorney General Alford Warriner Cooley has been investigating the situation in Alabama, where Bonaparte deems it necessary for Roosevelt to “call down” several politicians who are complicating judicial confirmations and the workings of the attorney general’s office with concerns over political patronage. In Arkansas, Cooley reports that there are many well qualified men to replace Assistant District Attorney Ulysses S. Bratton, who has been involved in improper conduct in a case involving postal inspectors. Bonaparte has recently met with Census Director S. N. D. North and explains the problems he has encountered with obtaining an accurate census of Oklahoma Territory, resulting in problems with representation of citizens there, and makes recommendations to solve the problem. Bonaparte has requested summaries for the injunction regarding the picketing of the Allis Chalmers company in Wisconsin, and is appointing a special counsel to take charge of litigation against a prominent official there. Bonaparte is ready to move against the Tobacco Trust and James Buchanan Duke.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-18
A legal analysis of Assistant Attorney General Alford Warriner Cooley’s report to President Roosevelt regarding the sale of public lands by New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman, leading to Roosevelt’s demand for Hagerman’s resignation. The author argues that Cooley’s report should not have been given as much weight in Roosevelt’s decision as it was for three reasons: the report was preliminary; the report was based on unspecified documents; Hagerman was unable to respond to said unspecified documents. The author says Cooley’s report reaches three conclusions regarding Hagerman’s actions: that the sale of more than one quarter of territorial lands to a single entity is illegal; that Hagerman presided over just such a sale; and that this action illegally usurped the power of the Territorial Commissioner of Lands. The author performs a detailed legal analysis of each point.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-18
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-15
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
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
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
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
Herbert J. Hagerman refers to his letter of September 12, 1906, concerning the reapportionment of the Territory of New Mexico for legislative purposes. In this letter, he mentioned that the reapportionment had almost universal support and those counties who opposed it enjoyed a much greater share of representation in the Territorial Legislature. As Hagerman anticipated, Thomas Benton Catron initiated legal proceedings to test the legality of the reapportionment in an attempt to retain his share of representation. The case was heard before Honorable Ira A. Abbott, who sustained the legality of the new apportionment in every respect.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-18
William H. Andrews encloses for William Loeb the call for a joint statehood convention that will be held in Phoenix, Arizona. The intention is for all parties to stand together in favor of statehood, and Andrews has urged them all to endorse Theodore Roosevelt and thank him for all he has done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
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. 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
William H. Andrews encloses a letter from Charles F. Hoff, President of the Democratic Joint Statehood League of Arizona. The people of Arizona have decided to unite into a Joint Statehood League encompassing both parties, not for political purposes, but for the sole purpose of achieving statehood. Andrews asks William Loeb to pay special attention to what has been said about Territory Governor Joseph H. Kibbey. Andrews believes President Roosevelt should appoint General Thomas F. Wilson as the new territorial governor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-10
Sebird B. Henderson considers the prospect of joint statehood for Arizona and New Mexico as unlikely, but he hopes it will still occur. He also asks William H. Andrews to send him two dozen buttons, and to send one dozen to “Peater Haught” in Payson, Arizona.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-04
William H. Andrews encloses a reproduced copy of a letter that Theodore Roosevelt wrote to Mark A. Rogers. Andrews informs William Loeb that New Mexico’s Territorial Republican Committee just met, and they endorse Roosevelt and declared for joint statehood “practically unanimously.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-05
William H. Andrews informs William H. H. Llewellyn that the Republican Central Committee met yesterday and endorsed Theodore Roosevelt, unanimously voted for joint-statehood, and endorsed their delegate to Congress in an “enthusiastic and harmonious” meeting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-06
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
William H. Andrews agrees with William Loeb about Joseph H. Kibbey, Governor of Arizona Territory, and discusses his strategy for getting Kibbey’s support. Andrews addresses Major William H. H. Llewellyn’s reaction to a letter written by Kibbey, noting that Llewellyn has done nothing or said nothing to anyone about it. Andrews expresses a need for financial support from the Congressional Committee and hopes that Loeb can get them to do something. He further discusses getting support for statehood from corporations, which he thinks may provide great assistance to the cause.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-09
William H. Andrews encloses a copy of the St. John’s Herald which contains a letter by Isaac Barth, which serves as an example of what is going on in Arizona. Andrews feels confident that joint statehood will win.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-05
Luther R. Smith, private secretary to Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock, and William Spencer Sturgess met with ex-Governor Miguel Antonio Otero, ex-Attorney General George W. Prichard, and Republican Chairman of New Mexico Holm Olaf Bursum in El Paso, Texas. Smith and Sturgess tried to convince Bursum to go against joint statehood in New Mexico. Bursum declined, stating that he had told William H. Andrews and President Roosevelt that he and Solomon Luna would vote in favor of joint statehood. Smith and Sturgess then said that they are “getting up a job” on Andrews to get him arrested on some charges connected with the Enterprise National Bank. William H. H. Llewellyn is confident that joint statehood will get through unless the cause is hampered by “such fellows as Smith.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-05