The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1910-03-01
MILLS Is
GOVERNOR

santa re, March l.-Wlllam j.
Mills is now governor of New Mexi-
CO, succeeding George Curry. The
new governor was sworn in at noon
today by Chief Justice VIM. III. Pope.
of Roswell, in the presence of the
Supreme Court and large assem-
blage of notables of the territory. In
his address the new governor said:
Ladies and Gentlemen
1t is a time honored custom In the
United States for every one who is
inducted into the Office of governor of
a state or territory to make an inau-
eural address, SO that he can in a
manner outline the policy of his ad-
ministration. / shall follow this well
nigh universal rule and today shall
say a few words to you. explaining
what ! desire to do and what sort OF
a government | shall endeavor to give
to the people of this great territory.
which | hope is very soon to be a
state. and of which / expect TO be the
last territorial governor.
1t is needless for me to say that
/ deeply appreciate the very cordial
reception which the large number of
citizens of New Mexico, who are as
sembled here today. have given me.
You are doubtless aware that /
was not candidate for the position
of chief magistrate of the territory,
and that the Office came to me most
unexpectedly. and without solicitation
on my part or on the part of any of
my friends. On November cath, of
last year. | was busily engaged in
holding a term of the district court in
San Miguel county, my home county,
which | deeply love. and was in fact
trying a criminal case. when | receiv
ed a telegram from the secretary Of
the interior at Washington. saying
that the president had instructed him
to ask if | would accept the Office of
governor of New Mexico, and request
ing an immediate answer. AS | had
no lightning rod out, and was not
aware that my name was being con-
sidered for the place. the inquiry al
most took me off my feet, or rather Off
the judicial woOl-sack, on which all
judges. by the common law, are sup
posed to sit wnen engaged in trying
either criminal or civil cases, and
/ was, for a time. at a loss what re-
ply 10 Dul
/ pulled myself together and wired
that / would accept that or any other
Office, or fight in the ranks as a pri
vate, if the president thought that by
SO doing / could best assist in making
his administration a success.
''You know wnat followed. The
president sent my name to the senate.
the committee on territories consider
ed it favorably at their first meeting
and | was confirmed ON Dec. 20. 1909,
but ten days after the president NOM
mated me.
1t goes without saying that the
prompt action of the senate was graf
flying to me. OF course I had no rea-
son to apprehend that / would not
be confirmed, for during the twelve
years that have been chief justice OF
the Supreme Court Of New Mexico.
IL has been my endeavor to decide
every case which has come before
me strictly according to what | be
lieved the law applicable to il to be
In doing this, | have been Obliged tc
decide many cases against my bes'
friends, but / am glad to say thai
Notwithstanding such adverse decis
ions, they are still my friends fol
they know that l decided their case
according to what / believed the law
to be. Having done this, / knew II