The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-04-29

The court house was packed to the
doors, the standing room was all oc-
cupied and many were unable to gain
admittance, Saturday night when the
citizens of Roswell met to express
themselves relative to the official
conduct of Governor Herbert ]. Ha-
german and the acceptance of his
resignation on the part of President
Theodore Roosevelt. After the prelim
mary addresses, a committee on reso-
lutions was appointed and when they
reported that il was the sense of the
meeting that the governor had done
the right thing in every official act
and requesting the president to refuse
to accept the governors resignation,
the report was adopted by unani-
nous rising vote. The action of the
meeting aid resolution adopted were
telegraphed to the President.
Mayor James w. Stockard called
the meeting to order. stating that he
was pleased to be selected temporary
chairman of such a gathering, as he
considered it an honor. He stated
that the assembly of RoswelPs citi-
zens was called to discuss the acts
of Governor Hagerman, and that all
who desired to speak would be given
a place on the program. He said that
it was the further purpose of the meet
ing to take whatever action might be
considered necessary. such as the ado
ption of resolutions, etc.
Upon motion of Elder C. c. Hill,
Mayor Stockard was made permanent
chairman and when the editors OF the
local papers had been named as sec
retaries, the list of regular speakers
was called.
Attorney General w. C. Reid was
the first speaker called He was re-
ceived with applause by the audience,
made up of ais friends and fellow citl-
zens. He said that he would not at
tempt to make a flowery speech, but
that he mad a few facts to state that
he believed would be of interest Mr..
Reid is not much of a wind-jammer,
but in orderly precision and clear1ess
IN stating facts he is a master. He
said in substance and in part:
The governor has not been given
a square deal. I believe the people
of the Pecos Valley stand for square
deal and believe they want the
square deal president to give the
Governor what he Is said to give ev-
cry man. (Applause).
sT have bee7 intimately connected
with Mr.. Hagerman for the past year
and know his every motive and ideal.
No purer man ever lived. No man
ever wanted to serve the people better
Pressure was brought to bear on him
to cause him to do things other than
what he knew to be best: but he re-
sisted, and I know of the manner in
which he resisted.
~When Mr.. Hagerman was appoint
ed governor, he was told by President
Roosevelt specifically what to do. He
was told to conduct a clean govern
ment and give a business sdmi7istra-
ton of territorial affairs. He was
told to look into land matters and
keep every transaction straight He
was told to secure the abolishment
of gambling and to have the people
accept joint statehood.
The night the governor arrived in
Roswell for the first time after his
appointment and made speech at
the rear of his car, he declared him.
self straight out against gambling.
No other territorial official in New
Mexico had ever dared to do sucA a
thing before But the stand he took
became popular. Finally the opposi-
tion faction n the Republican party
saw which way the wind was blowing
and took the same stand and even
introduced the bill in the legislature
that killed the gambling eviEand
they are to be given credit for that
much-but 1t was Hagerman who
nrsf took the stand and who drew the
sentiment Of the territory IN the anti
gambling direction
The Presidents orders as to joint
statehood were carried out as the re-
turns OF the last election show.
s7n giving an honest administration
as commended, Governor Hagerman
began removing public oficials who
had done urons. He fearlessly began
At the top. anrs the first man struck