A Bill (H.R. 12707) "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," was introduced in the House of Representatives by Hon. Edward L. Hamilton of Michigan and referred to the Committee on Territories, January 22, 1906; reported back favorably from the committee, by Mr. Hamilton, January 23, 1906; debated, amended, and passed January 25, 1906. In the Senate, referred to Committee on Territories, January 25, 1906; reported back from the committee, by Hon. Albert J. Beveridge of Indiana, January 29, 1906; amended, due to the efforts of Hon. Joseph B. Foraker of Ohio, to provide for a vote by and to require approval of each territory separately, and passed March 9, 1906; approved by President Theodore Roosevelt, June 16, 1906.

• [T]he Hamilton (joint-statehood) bill... despite Arizona's opposition passed, due, it is claimed, to the endorsement of President Theodore Roosevelt, probably influenced by Senator Beveridge. [An] election [was] held in New Mexico and Arizona, on [the] question of accepting statehood as a single state, November 6, 1906.... At the election in 1906, the gross majority of votes cast in the two Territories was against jointure. It was the tremendous opposition of Arizona 16,265 against to 3,141 for that secured this end. The New Mexico vote was 26,195 for to 14,735 against. By a scant 1,634 the proposed jointure with New Mexico was avoided.