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Show 562 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY 1880 ing a series of years, beginning with the administration of Governor Otero, the bonded debt was gradually reduced, without hardship to the tax-payers. In this regard the financial management of Ms ritorial affairs under two administrations was most remarkable, for $45,800.00 annual interest charge on the total bonded debt as it then existed. Never in the history of any western territory has s0 remarkable a showing in the management of its finances been recorded. The return of Captain George Curry to New Mexico, carrying commission as governor from his comrade in arms, through the fortunes of war, fate, and the voice of the ADMINISTRATION OF people, chief magistrate of the at GOVERNOR GEORGE CURRY was a source of marked gratification to his old friends. By the politicians of Z publican faith his appointment was hailed with pleasure, bee that with his aid the warring elements of the party would soon be harmonized. Prior to the Spanish-American war Captain Curry had been one of the most prominent of the leaders in the a ig a total of $1,691,763.60 to be aceseounted 091 709-70. leaving for the corresponding period amount $1,331,100 ye of in the treasury at the close of business edon toNovem ber 30, ber 30, 1906, were $1,442,615.65 making for. ‘‘Payments a balance $360.000.90. ‘‘All claims within thereto the bonded the appropriations debt has been reduced made from_ were : paid, : ddition am 943,000.00, a reduction of $106,300.00, as follows: Capitol $949,300.00 r ‘aid "Mareh building pp 1907, redeemed 1905, redeemed, $96,000. Curren e bonds due May “#900 00 $10,000.00; casual deficit bonds, tdue expens May redeemed, $° “are balances . While the territorial bonded debt is 1,now1923,$843,0 00.00 a tag $108,302.82 in sinking funds available to redeem outsta nding bonds aggregating making the net territorial debt, $739,6 97.18. il ] he: ‘On May 2, 1907, $40,000.00 six per cent current expe nse bongs ™ 907, ¢ come due, for which there are funds i on hand to pay, and on November sayment will be an additional $50,000.00 current expens e bonds mature and re due May » promptly met. The remaining $50,000.00 current expense, 1919.”’ 1908, will be paid, and after that no bonds will mature until rah *72 George Curry was born in Bayou Sara, Louisiana, in 1902. ’ He is the 1912 563 youth was caused by the discovery, while in the Philippines, fighting the battles of his country, upon the bodies of natives slain in combat, copies of letters from Willi am J. Bryan, the democratic standard-bearer, which served as an encouragement to the natives in their insurrectionary struggle again st the government of the United States, When Governor Curry assumed the reins of government in New Mexico there were misgivings, not only in the territory but at the nation’s capital. Space can not be given to a recital of the dissensions which rent the territory at the time; the furious resentment of the people at the indignities which had been heaped upon them by special agents and self-seeking specia l assistant attorneys general, Was everywhere apparent. To many it appeared that the republican party was broken up, and to those acquainted with the situation it seemed absurd to send a democ rat who, notwithstanding his success in suppressing revolts among the Moros, would be an easy mark for in seven years the bonded debt was reduced $406,600.00, resiulting in a teluution of annual interest charges from $73,200.00 in 1899 to cratic party, but now declared his allegiance to the principles of . party in power at Washington. Mustered out with his re : was soon the recipient of another commission in the army and . the United States for the Philippine Islands where he served ne great credit and distinction.‘7? His abandonment of the party 0 hea seliipitgaees TO the political intriguers of New Mexico. Captain Curry had been absent nearly a decade, and was inaugurated the day after years Sas; here his mother of age His mother was a native of Ireland, and his 8 father was killed after the Civil War. When he removed with his mother to Dodge City, Kan- died in 1879. After the death of his mother, Captain urry came to New Mexico, locating at Ft. Stanton, where he secured employment on a stock ranch, Later he filled a position as clerk in the store of J. C. elaney, post-trader, which employm ent continued until 1884. In that year he located in the town of Lincoln, where he was given charge of the mercantile establishment of James J. Dolan, and also appoint iS employer, at the time, serving as treasure r 0: Lincoln county. Captain at this period entered upon Probate clerk of Lincoln county; inhis political career. In 1888, he was elected 1890, county assessor; in 1892, sheriff, in 1894 he was chosen to represent the counties and of Lincoln, Chaves, Eddy, Dofia Ana, and Grant in the legislative council. His course in the assembly reflected “redit upon himself and the democratic party then in control of the governorship and both houses of the assembl y. At the outbreak of the war with Spain 8 received a commission as captain of Troop H in Roosevelt’s Rough Rider regiment, Ist UJ. 9. Vol. Cavalry, but did not serve in Cuba, his troop remaining at Tampa, Florida. Hig lieutenants were W. H. Kelly and Charles L. Ballard, Oth capable officers. Mustered out with his regiment, he received a commis' the army “i and served in the Philippine Islands; took prominent part in ®* thilitary Service; was chief of police of the city of Manilla and governor of mar. Called to the United States by Presiden t Roosevelt, he returned to OW Mexico with a commission as governor and was inaugurated August 8, 1907. sn held the office three years and resigned, his successor being William sve imaugurated March 1, Governor Curry now engaged in Mursuits but still took an active 1910. ~ nominated by the republicanpart in the struggle for statehood. party for congress and received In the iMber of votes cast of any of the four candidates for that position. J. Mills, business 1911, he highest |