Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-01-20
Governor
HAC[RMAN'S
BROAD VIEWS
Does Not Expect 10 Make Any
Great Upheaval Upon Enter
ins Office.
viii Serve the People Of New Mexico to
the Limit Of tiH Time and Ability.

In response TO the request FOR. an
interview, Governor Hagerman ex-
pressed himself to an Optic represen-
tative today as follows;
II am reluctant TO make any state
ments about my intentions upon as
suming the duties Of governorship as
the papers Of the territory have al
ready given publicity to my views and
plans so far as | may be said to have
formulated definite plans. The peo-
pie should understand that 1t will
take time for me to acquaint myse..
with the duties and responsibilities Of
my office and 1t will take still more
time to so thoroughly look into the
working Of affairs and the manner Of
administering the government Of the
territory that can form my final con.
clusions as to my own policies.
Il would not wish to make any
great upheaval upon entering office.
even II I7could, and do not believe
the people expect or desire many radi-
cal changes. think any man who
enters upon the duties of such an Of
flee must fee the. need Of having
among those associated with him Off
cially a certain number Of friends
with whom ne is intimately in touch
men whom he understands thoroughly
and who understand him thoroughly
and the people of the territory. will
undoubtedly expect, me to exercise
this perogative to such an extent as
l see fit.
1T IS Goubtless true that great
many people expect new man to do
new things, but most of the new
things which are done can only be ac-
complished through the legislators
whom the people themselves select
believe that it is the duty of the
governor to keep closely in touch
with the people. and consider this
duty to be equally great whether the
governor IS elected or appointed.
want the citizens of New Mexico to
feel that, to the utmost limit which
my duties will allow. my tim. Is at
their service and they can feel the
greatest liberty TO come and make
known their wishes to me. am a
strong republican and ! want to d.
everything | can for the republican
party, but consider that all political
questions should be subsidiary to the
public welfare, and where politics
conflict with the peoples interest !
shall consider the latter first
When asked concerning the state.
hood issue. Governor Hagerman said
my views on this subject are al
ready SO well known that it is need
less to reiterate them. | believe In
and hope for ioint-statehood, 1t is
very difficult to predict what will be
the fate of the Hamilton bill con
slider the situation in Washington so
involved that no one at this distance
can form an intelligent idea as to what
will be done. So far as we are con-
cerned, the question Is still at arms
length and we can only walt. ! be.
lieve very earnestly that In case the
statehood bill passes, the most inn
portant question which the people Of
the territory have ever been or ever
will be called upon to meet will be
the selection Of the best possible men
for the constitutional convention
II want to take this opportunity"
said Governor Hagerman, ito say how
very greatly ! was pleased with the
reception which have received here
and how much | appreciated the op-
portunity to meet the people of Las
Vegas at jeIe Commercial club last
night. AS soon as get well settled
In Santa Fe and become acquainted
with the routine Of my Office, intend
10 come over here as often as can
Our party wed the territorial
insane asylum this morning and was
greatly pleased with the condition Of
the institution---its cleanliness. order
and discipline--as were all the mem
bers of our party. have heard many
good reports Of the asylum, but did
not expect to find II as good as II Is.
We also enjoyed visit to the Normal
university