Who was the Santa Fe Ring and what were they guilty of doing
The Santa Fe Ring was a group of corrupt individuals who held significant political and economic power in the New Mexico Territory during the late 19th century. The members of the ring consisted of prominent businessmen, lawyers, and politicians who used their influence and connections to manipulate government contracts, land grants, and other resources for personal gain.
The Santa Fe Ring was primarily responsible for manipulating the legal and political systems in the Territory to benefit themselves financially. They engaged in various fraudulent activities such as land and mineral rights fraud, bribery, kickbacks, and embezzlement. Their influence and corruption extended to both local and federal politics, enabling them to control government contracts and siphon public funds.
One of the key figures of the Santa Fe Ring was Thomas B. Catron, a lawyer and politician who became the de facto leader of the group. Catron, along with his associates, bribed judges, politicians, and law enforcement officials to maintain their control and protect their illicit activities.
Their illegal actions not only resulted in significant financial gains for themselves but also hindered the political and economic development of the New Mexico Territory. The Santa Fe Ring's corruption, manipulation, and abuse of power were eventually exposed, leading to public outrage and legal consequences for some of its members. However, due to their wealth and political influence, many of the members of the Santa Fe Ring were able to evade serious punishment and continue their influence in New Mexico.