H. R. 12707 - 59th Congress 1st Session

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.