When a Legislature Was Born

JANUARY, 1935 ARIZONA HIGHWAYS 7 When a Legislature Was Born Arizona's First Legislative Body Met at Prescott at Call of Governor Goodwin When Laws of Baby State Were Laid Down

N THE Historian's office there is a brown leather-bound ledger, which is of interest to all Arizonans it is the journal of the first governor of the Territory of Arizona. The exquisite chirography of Richard McCormick, first secretary of the territory, adorns its pages. In this book we find Governor Goodwin's proclamation creating the territory and a record of the first territorial legislature. An act creating a temporary government for the territory had been granted by congress of the United States, approved February 24, 1863. Governor Goodwin had divided the territory into four council districts; these districts by legislative enactments became the counties of Yavapai, Mohave, Yuma and Pima. Let us consider the setting of this first legislature. The legislature met in the Governor's mansion at Prescott, where Governor Goodwin greeted the members at the door. Not only was he responsible as chief executive but also as host since there were no hotels in the little town of Prescott most of the members were the Governor's house guests.

The mansion is built of logs. At the time the first legislature convened the house was not quite finished and the official desks were placed on the dirt floor. The second story was a huge loft, which served as sleeping quarters for the legislators. The legislators arrived at the mansion on or before September 26, 1864. They had traveled by stage, horseback or buck-board, carrying their own bed rolls and sleeping under the stars, through a country infested with hostile Indians, to bring law and order to the new territory. The roster of the first legislature included: Council: Mark Aldrich, Tucson; Coles Bashford (president). Tucson; Henry A. Bigelow, Weaver; Patrick H. Dunne. Tucson; Robert W. Groom, Groomdale; George W. Leihy, La Paz; Francisco S. Leon. Tucson Jose M. Redondo, Arizona City; King S. Woolsey, Agua Fria Ranch.

House: Nathan B. Appel, Tubac; Thomas J. Bidwell, Castle Dome; John M. Boggs, Prescott; Luis G. Bouchet, La Paz; John G. Capron, Tucson; Jesus M. Elias, Tucson; James Garvin, Prescott; James S. Giles, Prescott; Gregory P. Harte, Tucson; Norman S. Higgins,

By ELIZABETH LLOYD TOOHEY, State Historian

Cerro Colorado; George M. Holaday, La Paz; Gilbert W. Hopkins, Maricopa Line; Henry D. Jackson, Tucson; W. Claude Jones (speaker), Tucson; Jackson McCracken, Lynx Creek; Daniel H. Stickney, Cababi; Edward D. Tuttle, Mohave City; William Walter, Mohave City. Neri Osborn, now of Phoenix, was page in the first legislature. Today, when we view with pride the public school system of Arizona, let us thank this first group of lawmakers for laying the foundation of education in our state, for Governor Goodwin, in his message to them, said: "One of the most interesting and important subjects that will engage your attention is the establishment of a system of common schools.

"Self-government and universal education are inseparable. The one can be exercised only as the other is enjoyed. The common school, the high school and the university, should all be established, and are worthy of your fostering care. The first duty of the legislators of a free state is to make, as far as lies in their power, education as free to all its citizens as the air they breathe. A system of common schools is the grand foundation upon which the whole superstructure should rest. If that be broad and firm, a symmetrical and elegant temple of learning will be erected. I earnestly recommend that a proportion of the funds raised by taxation be appropriated for these purposes and that a beginning, though small, be made."

Judge Howell wrote the code, which remained the law in this state until 1877, when it was revised. The following appropriations were passed: "Be it Enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Arizona: "Sec. 1. That the following sums be and they are hereby appropriated for the objects hereinafter expressed, viz: "For the salary of the attorney-general for the past year and up to the tenth day of November, A. D., 1864, (Continued on Page 18)