Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-06-14
GOVERNOR N. A. oTERo.


pletes his second term In the New
Mexico executive chair. 1t Is exactly
eight years today since by appoint.
ment OF President William Mckinley
the present incumbent succeeded VIM.
T. Thornton to the highest territorial
office. Owing to the fact that several
months after his re.appointment by
President Mckinney, Governor Otero
was again appointed by President
Roosevelt. the present term does not
expire until next January.
Governor Otero Is the first execu.
tive TO serve a second term and OF
course the only one who has ever
been thrice appointed to the posi-.
ton. That his rsie has been wise
and just and liberal, the business con.
dltions OF the territory, the testimony
OF the leading citizens OF all parties.
the Increased confidence with which
Investments are made In the terri.
tory and the splendid progress Of the
last eight years give eloquent testi.
mOny.
Governor Otero came into power
when the credit OF the territory was
"~>
depleted, when heavy debts we're
pressing, when the territory had q
bad name financially In the union and
when the people were impoverished
and discouraged by the effects of four
disastrous years OF Clevelandism.
The impaired credit he has restor.
ed. debts have been paid, expensive
bonds refunded upon a more econoni.
cal basis. a great many excellent laws
nave been passed, justice has been
done to all and during the whole eight
years, although during part Of the
time natural conditions were adverse,
the prosperity Of the people has stead.
lily increased, immigration has been
augmented, railroads have been built,
great resources have been developed.
New Mexico and her and
advantages have been widely adver.
tised, until now the territory has
reached the d~electable ground where
she commands the respect and esteem
and confidence Of the states of the en-.
tire union.
And Governor Otero has. In ever
increasing degree, continued to com.
and the respect and confidence Of
the people Of the territory. Coming,
young. untried, untrammeled, yet full
OF energy and ambition and rpo
to the governors chair. there were
many who predicted failure. He en-.
countered opposition and contumely
and Misrepresentation, but he has
gone steadily on his way, ruling WISE
ly and firmly. giving as fair treat
ment TO those who opposed as those
who befriended until now the voice of
criticism and disparagement. except
1t emanates from me cheap kennel
whence baying at those who succeed
must ever come, ha. entirely ceased.
From the democrats of the Pecos val.
ley. from the opposition In Grant
county. from the camps Of the enemy
wherever there Is a disposition to be
fair and broadminded, have come
warm words OF praise for the execu.
!
Miguel A. Otero made a good gov.
ernor during his first term. But he
was not too wise to learn, too know.
Ing to be taught. and he has made
, better governor during his second
term. The governor has expanded
Ind grown stronger with the expan.
lion Of the territory.
A comparison Of the various reports
issued by the governor since his in
,umbency shows a degree Of progress
n the territory-in population, In
avs, In education, In wealth, In de.
'elopment that Is nothing short of re-
narkable. Space forbids entering In
o these comparative statistics.
Yet q brief reference should be
TO the remarkable financial
trength of The territory attained |
Turing the administration of Governor
,tero In 1897. territorial credit was
ar down. warrants could not be sold
I siXtR cents on the dollar. the in
crest on the territorial debt re-
unpaid and every year, for
ears before. there had been large
Many Of the territorial funds f,
fere entirely without money and the +,
nances Of New Mexico were in a
egrettabls involved and impaired con-
Since Governor Otero assumed the
ems, all territorial warrants have 5
cen brought 10 a value of a hundred y
ents on the dollar: not only has the 1
on the debt been promptly I