Many New Mexicans sought his removal, because of these destabilizing decisions, but also for his efforts to correct court room antics, especially after a decision against an old "padron" for selling liquor to Indians. A local jury would not convict; he removed them and held a new trial; after Slough sentenced the "padron" to a year in prison, the territorial governor pardoned him, which sent Slough into a tirade. Sharp-tongued with a fiery temper, he was appointed to fight corruption, but observers thought he was too heavy-handed about it.