1st Arizona State Legislature explained

Number:1st
Start:March 18, 1912
End:December 31, 1914
President:M. G. Cunniff (D)[1]
Speaker:Sam B. Bradner (D)
Senators:19
Reps:35
S-Majority:Democrat 15–4
H-Majority:Democrat 31–4
Sessionstart1:March 18
Sessionend1:May 18, 1912
Special Session1 Start:May 23
Special Session1 End:June 22, 1912
Special Session2 Start:February 3
Special Session2 End:April 7, 1913
Special Session3 Start:April 14
Special Session3 End:May 17, 1913
Previous:State Constitutional Convention
Next:2nd

The 1st Arizona State Legislature, consisting of the Arizona State Senate and the Arizona House of Representatives, was constituted from February 14, 1912 (the day Arizona was admitted to the United States) to December 31, 1914, during the first term of George Wylle Paul Hunt as Governor of Arizona, in Phoenix. The legislature was heavily skewed towards the Democrats, with their holding a 15–4 lead in the senate, and a 31–4 lead in the Arizona House of Representatives The number of senators and representatives was set by the State Constitution, with 9 counties being granted one Senator, while the other 5 were granted two. Representation in the house was also by county, apportioned by population, with each county being guaranteed a minimum of 1 Representation.[2]

History

With the transition to Statehood, the Territorial Governor, Richard E. Sloan, announced that the first statewide elections were to be held on December 12, 1911. Among other statewide offices, Sloan proclaimed that there would be 19 State Senators and 35 members of the State House of Representatives, apportioned by counties. Apache, Coconino, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Santa Cruz Countes were allotted 1 senator and 1 representative; Cochise County got 2 senators and 7 representatives; Gila, Pima Counties got 2 senators and 3 representatives; Graham, Greenlee, and Yuma Counties received 1 senator and 2 representatives; Maricopa got 2 senators and 6 representatives; Yavapai County received 2 senators and 4 representatives.[3] The primary election was held on October 24, 1911.[4]

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the State Capitol in Phoenix on March 18, 1912; and adjourned on May 18.[1]

A special session was called by the governor, and met between May 23 – June 22, 1912.[1] A second special session was invoked from February 3 – April 7, 1913.[5] A third special session was convened from April 14 – May 17, 1913.

State Senate

Members

The asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature.[6]

CountySenatorPartyNotes
ApacheJ. Lorenzo HubbellRepublican
CochiseW. P. SimsDemocrat
C. M. RobertsDemocrat
CoconinoFred S. BreenRepublican
GilaJ. F. HechtmanDemocrat
Alfred KinneyDemocrat
GrahamW. W. PaceDemocrat
GreenleeGeorge H. ChaseDemocrat
MaricopaH. A. DavisDemocrat
C. B. WoodDemocrat
MohaveHenry LovinDemocrat
NavajoJohn H. WillisRepublican
PimaJohn T. HughesDemocrat
A. A. WorsleyDemocrat
PinalJ. F. BrownRepublican
Santa CruzJames A. HarrisonDemocrat
YavapaiM. G. CunniffDemocrat
H. R. WoodDemocrat
YumaFred W. WesselDemocrat

House of Representatives

Members

The asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature.

CountyRepresentativePartyNotes
ApacheNasianceno GonzalesRepublican
CochiseJ. M. BallDemocrat
Sam B. BradnerDemocrat
George D. CraigDemocrat
A. G. CurryDemocrat
J. F. DuncanDemocrat
W. J. GrahamDemocrat
Democrat
CoconinoThomas MaddockRepublican
GilaWilliam E. BrooksDemocrat
J. Tom LewisDemocrat
John W. MurphyDemocrat
GrahamA. E. JacobsonDemocrat
A. R. LynchDemocrat
GreenleeM. H. KaneDemocrat
William WhippleDemocrat
MaricopaDon C. BabbittDemocrat
George F. CockeDemocrat
J. A. R. IrvineDemocrat
Leon S. JacobsDemocrat
Harry JohnsonDemocrat
Dan P. JonesDemocrat
MohaveJohn EllisDemocrat
NavajoFrank O. MattoxDemocrat
PimaJ. W. BuchananDemocrat
Frank L. CrofootRepublican
Kirke T. MooreRepublican
PinalAlexander BarkerDemocrat
Santa CruzHarry SaxonDemocrat
YavapaiPerry HallDemocrat
H. H. LinneyDemocrat
A. A. MooreDemocrat
P. S. WrenDemocrat
YumaThomas M. DrennanDemocrat
J. R. KerrDemocrat

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Session laws, State of Arizona, 1912, First Legislature, Regular Session . State of Arizona . December 16, 2022.
  2. Web site: History of the Arizona State Legislature 1912–1966 . State of Arizona . December 16, 2022.
  3. News: A Proclamation . The Copper Era and Morenci Leader . November 10, 1911 . 7 . Newspapers.com. March 2, 2022.
  4. News: Unnecessary Delay . The Oasis . November 11, 1911 . 5 . Newspapers.com. March 2, 2022.
  5. Web site: Session laws, State of Arizona, 1913, First Legislature, 2nd Special Session . State of Arizona . December 16, 2022.
  6. Web site: History of the Arizona State Legislature 1912–1966 . State of Arizona . December 16, 2022.