Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-03-01
SOME POLITICAL HISTORY.
Councilman Bunker's Treachery to
the Democratic Cause-A Shame
full Proceeding Exposed to
Public Gaze.
How and Why the Council Failed te
Confirm Mr.. A. A. Jones-Duly
Commissioned To-day.

| The NEW MEXICAN has already briefly
touched upon the nature of the corrupt
compact in the late legislative council
whereby that body refused to confirm the
nomination of Hon. A. A. Jones, of Las
Vegas, appointed by the governor to sue
ceed L. G. Fort as prosecuting attorney
for the district of San Miguel and Mora
counties. To-day the NEW MEXICAN is
prepared to give the facts.
About the time the legislature convened
w. B. Bunker, of San Miguel county, a
member of the council who occupied the
seat to which Mr.. James Duncan had
been elected, accosted Mr.. A. A. Jones
and suggested that he become an appli-
cant for the district attorneyship, pledg-
ing that gentleman his support in case he
would do so. Mr.. Bunker also called on
Governor Thornton and asked for the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Jones, again proclaim
ing his loyalty to Mr.. Jones and his
anxiety to see so excellent a Democrat
occupying the office of district attorney.
SOME LoG-RoLLING.
n
suddenly over Mr.. Bunker's methods, and
he approached the governor, accompanied
by Councilman Curry, and stated that he
thought he could arrange matters so that
Mr.. Jones would withdraw from the race
in his, Bunker's, favor and he wanted to
know what the chances we're for his ap-
pointment in case Mr.. Jones did with
draw. The governor replied that, as he
then felt, Bunker would be his second
choice for the position. Bunker then
suggested that in the event of Mr.. Jones'
defeat of confirmation would the governor
still regard him as his second choice; and
received reply that, in case Bunker would
do his duty as Democrat, vote for and
support Mr.. Jones in the council, and
then his confirmation should FAIL he, Bun
ker, would receive consideration as sec
ond choice. Bunker here again
swoBE LOYALTY TO MR.. JONES.
Four days later Mr.. A. Staab, at Bun
ker's earnest solicitation, called on Gov
Thornton to intercede in Bunker's be-
half He also was Informed that Mr..
Jones was the executive first choice and
Bunker the second, provided Bunker
worked for Mr.. Jones' confirmation and
it zen failed
VITA these promises Bunker set de-
liberately at work trading everything in
sight 10 defeat in executive session the
very t1al ne was pledged to support
witt ail aas PARTY loyalty at his COM
mand.
Councilman GALES stated to Governor
] horpfon last evening, in the presence of
Hon j. D. W. Veeder, that the circum-
stances attending the rejection of Mr..
Jones' name by the council were in his
opinion most shameful. He said: II am
Republican and naturally wish to bring
dlscord to Democratic ranks, and in the
interest of my constituents was anxious
to secure defeat of the Florida county
bill. To do this entered into an agree
ment with Mr.. Bunker to the effect that
if he would vote against Florida county
7 and Mr.. Ancheta would vote to reject
the name of Mr.. Jones. This was done at
the instance of Mr.. Bunker and in order
to accom- plsh things demanded by my
people, not because of any personal OBJ
lection to Mr.. Jones'"
also spoke of the matter to Mr.. Crist. He
stated that he would like to support Mr..
Jones' confirmation, but could not be-
cause he and his two colleagues, Council
men Garcia and Abeyta, had entered into
a solemn compact with Bunker and Felix
Martinez whereby it was agreed that
Bunker should vote against the confirma-
tion of Mr.. Desmarais, in case that gentle
man was nominated to be superintendent
of public instruction, and it was further
agreed that in case Larragoite was nomi-
mated for this position Bunker should
vote for him, in consideration for which
Larragoite, Garcia and Abeyta had bound
themselves to oppose Mr.. Jones. LARA
goite
ADMITTED THE sHAMEFULNEss
of this compact, but said he could not go
back on it. Mr.. Garcia confirm ed LARA
goite's statement as regards Felix Mar
tinez' connection with the deal. Each of
these three councilmen frequently ex-
pressed desire to be released from the
compact but Martinez and Bunker would
not listen to it.
Councilman Desmarais has also stated
that Bunker proposed to him to vote
against Mr.. Jones, Bunker offering to
vote for Desmarais in case he were
nominated perintendent of public in
struction.
Mr.. Mariana Armijo, one of the ap-
plioants for superintendent of public in
struction, stated yesterday that he could,
in case of nomination, scarcely rely on
Bunker to do his duty as Democrat as
Bunker had told him tina. he had entered
into an agreement with Desmarais to
support the latter If he would vote against
Mr.. Jones and had further volunteered
the information that he, Bunker, would
"woRK" DEsMARAIs
to oppose Mr.. Jones and then see Des-
marais 60 to the devil before he would
support him, Desmarais.