The past 100 years

From The Santa Fe New Mexican: March 5, 1917: The spectacle of Republicans insisting on the creation of a new Democratic county was again witnessed in the legislature this afternoon when the Republican members of the senate passed the bill creating the new county of Lea in the southeastern corner of the state, out of portions of Chaves and Eddy counties. The vote was 10 to 7, Senators Lea, Callach and Mersfelder being the only Democrats who voted for the bill.

March 5, 1967: Gov. David F. Cargo has filed removal proceedings in the State Supreme Court against three members of the State Highway Commission — Chairman John Sudderth, Dr. John Q. Thaxton, and Hugh Milton. Cargo’s brief, filed with the Supreme Court about 4:30 p.m. Friday, cites the three for incompetency and neglect of duty. Charges against the three include some items cited by the Santa Fe County Grand Jury in its current investigation.

March 5, 1992: The Democratic Party activist fired Feb. 23 from one top political job in the administration of Gov. Bruce King has been hired to fill another top state government post at King’s request.

Matthew Baca is expected to begin working within a week as Field Operations Division director at the state Environment Department. His annual salary will be $57,000, higher than the salaries of either of the other three division directors in the department.