The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-06-08

successor. The idea was my own. be-
cause | wished under the extraordinary
circumstances IA New Mexico 10 find
some man whom personally knew
and Ia whose upr.s shtEeSs- strength Of
character and knowledge Of The people
and the circumstance / could have en-
tire confidence. Captain Curry was
one II the best Uru in NY regiment.
He has been away from New Mexico
for eight years. 50 that he Is II no
shape OF way Identified with any fac
LICna- trouble therein. | DO not even
know his politics. During these eight
years he has done distinguished mill
tary and civil service in the Philip
pines. not only having shown great
gallantry In acrion, but marked admin
lstrattse ability when il charge OF
the Manila police force and afterwards
in various other positions, including
governor in the provinces. As far as
| know there has been universal ap-
proyal in New Mexico Of tNs choice,
and the approval Of the choice Of Cap
tain Curry as governor Is lncompatI-
Bile with the existence on The part OF
those approving II OF either the hope
or the desire to see crooked methods
obtain in the New Mexican govern
meut- Very truly yours
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
In replying TO the above Letter Gov
ernor Hagerman wrote the President,
giving a comprehensive review Of the
Pennsylvania Development Company
transaction from Hagerman's stand
point The Letter says in part.
Mr. President. l have to ackno1l-
edge the receipt Of your letter of May
lst. ! had been previously informed
that the matetr Of my removal, through
the form OF resignation, from the gov
ernorship Of New Mexico. was By you
considered as a closed incident ana
could not admit Of further discussion
or consideration whatever. Your letter
appears inconsistent with this view.
II is az once a challenge and an invita-
tiun which Il would be both discour-
teous and cowardly to decline, al
though il offers the unpleasant alter
uatice OF controversy with you. or
submission TO the Impeachment OF my
integrity at your hands without an et-
fort to defend myself"
Mr., Hagerman then says that he did
not intend to convey the impression
drawn By the President that he con
sidered his removal a calamity TO the
territory, and that SO far as the gov
ern0rship is concerned il is a thing
OF the past"
4 cannot rest quietly under the
stigma" he continues. which you
would put upon me l have the right,
however. to expect to ask OF you as d
matter Of common fairness and jus
tice, that you make public acknowledg
ment Of the fact when convinced OF it.
and that you will be convinced l must
not doubt. If you can take the time TO
give the matter as | present it a calm
and careful examination. that | have
been unjustly treated and that my ac-
tion as to the Pennsylvania Develop
ment Company deeds for which was
removed by you was commendable
and not blameworthy.
And now, Mr.. President, permit
me TO say IN conclusion, that but for
your gratuitous and irrelevant assault
upon my father. should probably have
been able TO restrain myself from max
ing any reply to your letter notwith.
standing II is easy to refute every sug-
gestion Of fraudulent or improper CON
duct you make against me. but con-
STRUNG as | do your reference to my
! father as threat to blast his reputa-
| ton, unless | remain silent. silence is
/ impossible
My father is advanced in years and
in feeble health He has had a long
and honorable career and has spent
much of his life and fortune in the de
velopment of the resources OF the
/ West. He has never to my knowledge
been accused Of improper or fraudulent
conduct, !, therefore, ask you as
square man to give him an opportunity
to meet any charges which can be
made against him while he still has
/ chance to meet him. Make your allie
cations specific and in such a way that
they are susceptible of proof or dis
procf and l will undertake for him that
he will not plead the statute OF limita-
tions. and that he will demonstrate To
You and the world that those in whom
you place confidence had consciously
/ sought to poison your mind against
me. l submit that every principle of
fairness requires that yon withdraw
that which YOU have said about nv
father or that you say more
Il have the honor to be your obe-
dent servant.
I II. J. HAGERMAN