Statutes at Large 49th Congress 1st Session, Page 170 "An act to prohibit the passage of local or special laws in the Territories of the United States" also known as the "Harrison Act" was passed by Congress to limit the ability of the Territories to exceed set debt limits.
Documents Leading to Statehood
This ambition [to become a state] did not, however, attract the attention of Congress until January 2, 1889, when Hon. Wm. M. Springer of Illinois introduced in the House of Representatives a bill (H. R. 11916) "to enable the people of Arizona and Idaho to form constitutions and State governments." The bill was referred to the Committee on Territories, but was not reported back.
Arizona's First Constitutional Convention was convened September 7, 1891 and adjourned October 3, 1891. The Journals of the Constitutional Convention of the State of Arizona are from the collections of Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records--State Library of Arizona (AZDocs No.: COC 3.9:J 58)
"A Bill (H.R. 7204) A bill to provide for the admission of the State of Arizona into the Union, and for other purposes," was introduced in the House of Representatives by Hon. Marcus A. Smith, Delegate from Arizona, and referred to Committee on Territories, March 14, 1892; reported back favorably from the committee by Mr. Smith, March 16, 1892; passed June 6, 1892.
A Bill (H.R. 3322) "to provide for the admission of the State of Arizona into the Union and for other purposes," was introduced in the House of Representatives by Hon. Marcus A. Smith, delegate from Arizona, and referred to Committee on Territories, September 21, 1893.
The Arizona Convention For Statehood was held in Phoenix, November 27th and 28th, 1893. The Proceedings are from the collections of Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records--State Library of Arizona (AZDocs No.: COC 3.9:S 71)
H.R. 4393 was reported back favorably from the committee as a substitute [for H.R. 3322 ], by Mr. Smith, November 3, 1893; amended and passed December 15, 1893. In the Senate, referred to Committee on Territories, Dec. 18, 1893; reported back from the committee, with amendments, by Hon. Charles J. Faulkner of West Virginia, August 2, 1894; no further action.
The Statutes At Large Volume 29 Page 262 contains "An Act Amending and extending the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled 'An Act approving with amendments the funding Act of Arizona'" funded all outstanding debt of the Territory of Arizona and resolved issues arising from the Harrison Act. See: " Letter to Honorable B. J.
A Bill (H.R. 12543) "to enable the people of Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico to form constitutions and State governments," was introduced in the House of Representatives by Hon. William S. Knox of Massachusetts, and referred to the Committee on Territories, March 14, 1902; reported favorably from the committee, by Mr. Knox, April 1, 1902; passed May 9, 1902.
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.