A Bill (H.R. 14749) "to enable the people of Oklahoma and of the Indian Territory to form a constitution and State government, and to enable the people of New Mexico and of Arizona to form a constitution and state government," [which proposed that Arizona and New Mexico would enter the Union as a single State] was introduced in the House of Representatives by Hon. Edward L. Hamilton of Michigan, and referred to the Committee on Territories, April 4, 1904 and reported back from the committee by Mr. Hamilton, April 8, 1904; debated and passed April 19, 1904. In the Senate, referred to Committee on Territories, April 20, 1904; reported back from the committee, with amendments, by Hon. Albert J. Beveridge of Indiana, December 16, 1904; debated and passed February 7, 1905; failed when the two houses were unable to agree on amendments.

• In 1905 Congressman James Albertus Tawney of Minnesota headed another group of Congressmen who came inclined to favor joint-statehood, which had reared its head, but returned to Washington pledged against the plan. In the end, however, they voted for it.