 After a move to El Reno, Martin was appointed Secretary of Oklahoma Territory in 1890. at the same time US President Benjamin Harrison appointed George Washington Steele as Oklahoma Territory's first Governor.Serving as Governor Steele's second-in-command of the Territory, Martin assumed the governorship when Steele resigned on October 18, 1891.Martin would serve as acting governor until President Harrison appointed Abraham Jefferson Seay on February 1, 1892.