Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-01-02
{, C, de Baca Takes Oath of
Office in Sanitarium in Pres
enCe of a Few Friends and
AcquaintanCes,
LINDSEY C0NGRATULATES
AND PLEDGES SUPPORT
Chief Justice Richard H. Hanna
0fficiateS ! Retiring Gov
ernor and Lieutenant-g gov
ernor Present,
(By r. Il. ID. McAllister,
Special staff Correspondent

Santa Fe, Jan. impressive in its
very lack of ceremony and in the
solemnity of all the surroundings was
the act by which Ezequiel C. de Baca
today became governor of New Mexico.
The entire official procedure, which
took place In Governor de Baca's room
in st. Vincents sanitarium, required
not more than minute, but there was
an atmosphere to the scene that made
the little group privileged to witness
it feel that big thing was being done
that history was being made.
No special preparations had been
made for the event by the authorities
of the sanitarium-in fact, under the
instructions of DR.. ]. A Massie, Cover
nor de Baca's physician, special pains
were taken that nothing out of the
usual routine was to be permitted ex-
cept sGch as was absolutely necessary
to the dispatch of the business in
hand. The plainly furnished sani-
tarium room was bare of any special
ornamentations, not even an American
flag being in evidence to show that a
change in the administration of the
states affairs was about to take
place.
Remains Seated Throughout.
Governor de Baca, clad in a gray
bathrobe, remained seated in large
leather easy chair throughout the few
minutes that his guests we're present.
His color was excellent and the bright
ness of his eye showed the keen inter-
est that he took in what was going on.
He looked more like pugilist resting
in his corner prior to the beginning of
a battle than like an invalid for whom
absolute rest and quiet had been pre-
scribed.
The total number of persons present
in the room was fourteen, those be-
sides Governor de Baca being his
physician, DR.. j. A. Massie; his nurse,
Mrs. F. M. Cameron; Chief Justice
Richard H. Hanna, Justice Clarence j.
Roberts, former Governor William C.
Mcdonald, former Governor M. A.
Otero, Lieutenant-G Governor w. E.
Lindsey, Secretary of State Antonio
Lucero, State Senator Melvin T. Dun
lazy, Judge N. B. Laughlin, Francis
c. Wilson, Austin c. Brady of the
Santa Fe New Mexican, and r. L. d.
McAllister of the albuquerque Morn
ing Journal.
Lindsey Extends Congratulations.
The first to enter Governor de Baca's
room after the word was given out
that the patient was ready to receive
his guests was his predecessor in Of
fice Governor Mcdonald, who grasped
Mr.. de Baca by the hand and wished
him a happy New Year. Following
Governor Mcdonald came Lieutenant
Governor Lindsey, who before this
time had never met the new governor.
Here came in one of the pretty human
interest touches TO the occasion.
Extending his hand, the lieutenant
governor, with warmth of express
sion that carried conviction Of SINGER
ity, said: my name is Lindsey, COVER
nor. / want to extend my hearty con-
gratulations to you, to wish you a
happy and prosperous New Year and
to assure you that at all times you
shall have my hearty support and CO.
operation in your administration"
Governor de Baca seemed genuinely
touched by this evidence of friendship
on the part of political opponent and
the man whom malicious gossips had
pictured as desirous of taking from
him the duties and prerogatives of his
office. With equal warmth he re-
piled: "Thank you, governor. You
will also have my cordial support in
your own office"
Hanna Administers Oath.
AS soon as the congratulations and
had been completed.
Chief Justice Richard Hanna, who at
the last moment was decided upon as
the official to administer the oath,
stepped forward and said: RAISE
your right hand, please, governor"
The new chief executive complied,
and in the midst OF an unbroken si-
lence Chief Justice Hanna read from
a typewriter sheet the words of the
obligation to support the constitution
of the United States and of New Mex
leo and to faithfully and impartially
the laws of the state.
Governor de Baca's response was
made in clear. firm voice, after
which the oath was signed by him and