Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1908-10-07


should not retain a judicial position
while candidate for political office
and therefore Immediately upon an
nouncing his candidacy he filed his
resignation. This act was very proper
and correct and after the delegate
fight of 1882, which was three-corn.
cred one and in which he received ar
absolute majority over the other can
didates, but the Democratic candidate,
Antonio Joseph receiving a plurality
it became all the more sensible and
proper. And today, after a lapse of
twenty-five years, it is universally ac.
knowledged by those who remember
the circumstances that although it
weakened his political position, he
did the right thing at the right time.
Upon the election of President Har-
rison he was appointed governor Of
the territory in 1889, and served four
years as executive of this territory.
He was one of the best governors New
Mexico ever had and under his admin
istration the territory made great
strides forward in every proper direc-
tion, many wholesome laws were
passed, the administration of territor-
ial affairs under him was clean, hon.
est, effective and all official matters
were conducted with diplomacy, ef-
ficiency and with the incest regard for
the rights of the people. He went out |
Of office, when the Republican nation
al administration was displaced by a |
Democratic national administration,
or by the second regime of the late
Grover Cleveland.
Political Science His Speciality.
Political science has always been
bis specially. He wrote political art
icles and received a vote of thanks
from the local Republican organiza-
ton in his old home in Flushing, Long
Island, when he was only sixteen
years old. Before he was of age, he
was making political speeches for Alb
raham Lincoln. In 1868 he was mem
ber of the national convention which
first nominated General Grant and
again Of that which nominated Hayes.
For five successive terms he served
in the New York. assembly, from
strongly Democratic districts, and was
twice unanimously elected. He was
the first legislator to introduce the
Referendum into a practical use,
by submitting every local act appro-
priating money to vote of the people.
He was chairman of the judiciary
which impeached corrupt
judges in New York, and received the
highest vote as manager of the i'm
peachment in 1872. In three years, as
such chairman, he reported 1866 bills;
the greatest number ever acted upon
by a committee in such a period. In
1876 he was elected to the state Sen
ate, in heavily Democratic district,
$500 votes ahead of his tic
ket. In 1878, he declined the governor
ship Of Idaho, the marshalship of New
York, the chief justiceship Of Utah
Ind several foreign positions and fin
lily accepted the chief justiceship of
New Mexico at the urgent solicitation
If the administration, after twice de- !
,lining it. AS chief justice, he had
charge Of the northerly half of the ter
'itory during the period of unparallel-
I'd business and criminal activity at
the opening of rail
'oads; and, assuming office with
! years accumulation of work.
Ie DISPOSED Of 1924 civil and I
1923 criminal cases in three and
. half years, and left the docket clear
or his successor. Without any remun-
grafton from the territory he made a
'ompilation of the laws of New Mex
co, which passed through several edi-
ions and for number Of years was
he acknowledged legal authority. In
SS9 he became governor of New
Mexico holding Office little over four
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