Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-12-19

civil trust under the new and struggling
government that had suddenly come
into existence as result of the oppres-
sion of George III.
DR.. w. T. Thornton, the father Of the
subject of this review, was distin-
guished physician of Missouri, where he
was born, and where he attained high
degree of success in his chosen profess
sion, going to Kentucky later in life, and
later still to Missouri, where Governor
Thornton was born. He was educated at
a private school near his native place,
and graduated from the law depart
ment of the Kentucky University at
Louisville in the class of 1868. His
scholastic studies were interrupted by
the breaking out of the war, and in 1861
he put away his books to take service in
the confederate army, in the capacity Of
private soldier of the body guard of
Gen. Sterling Price. Subsequently he
became member Of company G of
Woods battalion, commanded by his
brother, Capt. Paul T. Thornton, a gal
liant officer, who rendered the confeder-
ate cause service of great value.
During the retreat from Springfield,
NO., in February, 1862 he was taken
prisoner and confined at Alton, ILL.,.
where he remained for nearly year.
Being exchanged, he returned to his
company and served until the close of
the war. Returning to his studies he
graduated at law and located at Clinton,
Mo-, where he commenced practice.
While there he served two terms as
member of the town council, and in 1876
represented the county in the state leg
islature.
Close application to professional du.
ties seriously impaired his health, and in
1877 he removed to Santa Fe, where he
has since resided, enjoying good de-
gree of success in professional way,
and the respect of all who know him
In 1880 he was elected member of the
territorial council, and in 1891 became
the first mayor of the city of Santa Fe.
having been the nominee of both polit-
ical parties and receiving every ballot
cast but one-a striking attestation of
his almost universal popularity. In 1885
he retired from the practice of his pro-
fessiop that he might devote more time
to his rapidly increasing business inter
ests. He is interested in number of
big mining enterprises and has impor-
tant live stock connections in Lincoln
county. In 1893 he was appointed by
President Cleveland governor of New
Mexico. His Endorsement for this high
Office included every party organization
in the territory, and his administration
has been characterized throughout by
consistent protection of the interests of
the territory and high degree of tidel-
ity to the duties of a distinguished pub
lie trust.
Under his administration territorial
development along the various industrial
and commercial lines has assumed
pace hitherto unknown, and due. in no
small measure, to the personal efforts of
the chief executive, than whom there is
no man in New Mexico better acquainted
with her varied possibilities. In max
ing known these possibilities, and in
putting before capital the numerous ad-
vantages for safe investment Governor
Thornton has rendered New Mexico a
service that cannot be easily estimated.
In the administration Of public affairs
he has exercised firm and unerring
judgment in dealing with rather lax
condition relative to receipt and custody
Of public moneys. Previous to 1893 Off
cial carelessness, that in many cases was
criminal, in the handling Of public funds,
had become sufficiently common to be-
come scandalous. Against these numer-
GUS attractions Governor Thornton i'm
mediately upon assuming Office took a
firm and decided stand. Defaulting off
GERS were prosecuted and punished and
others given notice that they would be
held strictly accountable for the honest
discharge Of their duties under the law.