Arizona republican., 1907-05-31
THE DIGNIF|ED REJOINDtR
 OF GOVERNOR HAGFRMAN
tie Had Supposed that the Incident of His
 Removal was Closed
He Is Moved to Reply to President ROOsvelt by the
 Father.

Albuquerque. x. NJ. May 3O.-The Citizen, an afternoon paper here to- day printed the text of the letter from President Roosevelt to former Gov ernor Hagerman. who recently resign ed from the office of governor at the request of the president. In the let ter Mir. Hagerman is scathingly ar raigned for the part he took in the Pennsylvania Development company land transaction.
 The publication today inspired Mir. Hagerman to make public his reply to President Roosevelt in which he re- views his part in the Pennsylvania transaction and he vigorously defends himself against the charges contain- ed in the presidents letter. In the letter the administration of Hagerman Is referred to as unsatisfactory and his conduct in that transaction is charac- terized as illegal and blameworthy."
 The president says that but for the former governors previous good rec ord he would have been dismissed in stead of being allowed to resign. The letter goes at length into the Penn sylvania Development company's bus mess and quotes the opinion of As sistant Attorney General Cooley. which severely criticizes Hagerman's delivery of deeds to the land in question.
 In conclusion the president says: If permit such an act by the highest of ficer in the territory to go unpunish- ed, l cannot hold to account any sub ordinate official for any infraction of duty. It is a grave question in my mind as to whether I ought not to re- move you instead of merely asking your resignation. I have resolved the doubt in your favor and have request cd your resignation. Under no cir cumstances would I reconsider this action.
 Secretary Root has handed me q long telegram from your father in which he wishes me to delay action on your resignation until you have had time tO answer the charges made against you which he further states are well known to be unfounded anu made by party freeboOters to restore themselves to power. Apparently your father does not know, or disregards the fact that these charges are contain ed in the statement above referred to from the department of justice and in the records of the interior department and there is not the slightest question as to facts which you admitted in your interview with me as we'll as in your interview with Secretary Garfield. You have had a full hearing before Garfield and before me. Under the nf = xt-haf T,f by saving that the charges are un- founded, I am unable to imagine. If any party freebooters or any one else is guilty of conduct such as you say. I will treat them Just as I have treat ed you. With the gossip your father repeats and the inferences he draws therefrom. I have no concern: as to the charges he by inference makes against others I can only say that any facts he will give me against any one I will consider if have power to do so. Charges of very grave character were made to me against your father himself. in connection with land trans actions in the past. Whether they were true or not. I cannot say. be- cause the preliminary investigation showed that action upon them would be barred by the statute of limita- tions"
 MT. Hagerman's reply said in part: q had been previously informed that the matter of my removal through the form of a resignation from the govern orship of New Mexico was by you con- sidered as a closed incident
 Your letter appears inconsistent with this view. It is at once a chal- lenge and an invitation which it would be both uncourteous and cOwardly to decline. although it offers the unpleas- ant alternative of controversy with you or a submission to the impeachment of n',' ir'eeg-ity- :,t cur i.....ls viiiiVut an effort to defend myself