Gilpin observer., 1907-06-06

successor. The idea was my own, be.
cause | wished under the extraordinary
circumstances in New Mexico to find
some man whom l personally knew
and in whose uprightness, strength OF
character and knowledge of the people
and the circumstances | could have en-
tire confidence. Captain Curry was
one of the best men in my regiment.
He has been away from New Mexico
for eight years, so that he is in no
shape or way identified with any fac
tional trouble therein. l 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 action, but marked admin
istrative ability when in charge OF
the Manila police force and afterwards
in various other positions, including a.
governor in the provinces. AS far as
l know there has been universal ap-
proval in New Mexico of his choice;
and the approval of the choice of Cap
tain Curry as governor Is incompati-
BILE with the existence on the part OF
those approving it of either the hope
or the desire to see crooked methods
obtain in the New Mexican govern
ment. Very truly yours
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
In replying to the above Letter Gov
ernor Hagerman wrote the President,
giving comprehensive review of the
Pennsylvania Development Company
transaction from Hagerman's stand
point. The Letter says in part:
'Mr. President: l have to acknowl-
edge the receipt Of your letter of May
1st. 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 closed incident and
could not admit Of further discussion
or consideration whatever. Your letter
appears inconsistent with this view.
1t is at once a challenge and an invita-
ton which it would be both discour-
teous and cowardly to decline, al
though it offers the unpleasant alter
natice of a controversy with you, or
submission TO the Impeachment of my
integrity at your hands without an ef-
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
ernorship is concerned it "is a thing
of the past"
Il cannot rest quietly under the
stigma" ne continues, (which you
would put upon me. / have the right,
however, to expect to ask of you as a
matter of common fairness and JUS
tice, that you make public acknowledge
ment of the fact when convinced of it,
and that you will be convinced I must
not doubt, if you can take the time to
give the matter as / present it calm
and careful examination, that l have
been unjustly treated and that my ac-
tion as to the Pennsylvania Develop
ment Company deeds for which l 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 it is easy to refute every sug-
gestion of fraudulent or improper con-
duct you make against me, but con-
STRUNG as l do your reference to my
father as a threat to blast his reputa-
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. I, therefore, ask you as a
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
proof 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 you withdraw
that which you have said about my
father or that you say more
Il have the honor to be your obe-
dient servant,
ou uACEDMAN