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John E. Miles (1884 – 1971) was elected Governor of New Mexico in 1938, and re-elected in 1940. While he was Governor, he was instrumental in the settlers of the Rio Costilla area regaining their land. At that time, the land was held by the state government for non-payment of taxes. The settlers had organized, and were attempting to buy the land back. Miles was a strong supporter of the settlers, and with the Federal programs that were being implemented at the time, he knew he could help them get a loan to repurchase their land. At the very least, his efforts guaranteed they would not lose their homes.
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Costilla Plaza, 1940 |
Adobe buildings on the grant land. |
A transcript of the Governor's remarks. |
“...I would like to make it clear tonight that so long as I am governor, no person who lives on this land grant will lose his home if the grant is sold for taxes. The Federal court has already held that settlers on the grant are entitled to their homesites. Even if this ruling had not been made, I would not allow the state to be party to any such sale that would deprive the residents of this area of their homes in which they have lived for generations...”
Excerpt from a speech given by Gov. Miles August 26, 1940,
as it appeared in The Taoseño newspaper
© 2005 New Mexico Office of the State Historian