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Show 1912 versity. One hundred thousand acres were set aside for the use of the agricultural college.*29 ner in the firm of Jacob, Cracraft and Fergusson . As a member of this firm he came to New Mexico, in 1882, as attorney for the North Homestake Mining Company, at that time having important litigation in the courts of New Mexico. During this period he determined to remain permanently in the territory, and located at Alburquerque, where he has since practiced his profession with success. In 1894, he served as special attorney of the governme nt in the prosecution of the officers of the Alburquerque National Bank, which had closed its doors during the panic of 1893. He was chosen delegate to the fifty-fifth congress, serving his constituents with great ability by securing the passage of the act which bears his name, although both senate and house of representatives were in majority of opposing political faith. Mr. Fergusson has always occupied a high place in the councils of his party. He is easily accorded a position among the leaders of the New Mexico bar. He was chosen one of the delegates to the constitut ional convention of 1910 from Bernalillo county, being the only representative of his party from that county, his election, however, resulting from a disaffect ion in the ranks and leadership of the republicans. At the state election, in November, 1911, he was elected a member of the sixty-sec ond congress. 439 Mr, Fergusson has stated to the writer that it would have been impossible for him to have secured the passage of this act had it not been for the friendly Interest of the Speaker of the house of representatives, at that time, Thomas B. Reed, who, by special appointment with Mr. Fergusson, accorded him, at his Tesidence, at the capital, an opportunity to explain succinctl y the provisions of his proposed measure. After hearing Mr. Fergusson’s explanation and argu- ment, the speaker : became convinced of the merit of the measure and thereafter It possible for the delegate to bring his bill before the house and secure its assa ge, By virtue of its provisions the proceeds arising from the sale of all lands “cred by the act were ordered set aside as permanent funds for university and agricultural college purposes. Five per cent of the proceeds of the sales of Public lands sold by the United States subsequent to the passage Set aside as a permanent fund for the support of the common erants of non-mineral the establishment of of the act was schools. and unappropriated lands were also made, permanent water reservoirs for irrigation Further being for purposes, © A me oo ee riage ee nee or NG en Rang: “mw a NRE public buildings at the capital at Santa Fé when New Mexico became a state in the Union ; two townships were reserved for the establishment of a university of New Mexico, and sixty-five thousand acres, together with all saline lands, were granted for the use of the uni- ; States, as a delegate from New Mexico, was signalized by his success in securing the passage of the act of June 21, 1898, known as the Fergusson act. This enactment was one of the most important laws ever passed by the congress of the United States affecting the interests of citizens and residents of the territory. Pursuant to its provisions all sections of school lands numbered 16 and 36 in every township of the territory, New Mexico was given the right to lease such lands, consisting of about four million acres, for the support of its public schools. Fifty sections were granted for the erection of oe 521 To 1880 TO |
