16th Arizona Territorial Legislature

The 16th Arizona Territorial Legislative Assembly was a session of the Arizona Territorial Legislature which convened in Phoenix, Arizona. The session began on January 19, 1891.

John N. Irwin had been appointed to replace Lewis Wolfley as Territorial Governor on October 4, 1890. His arrival in the territory had been delayed. First by Irwin taking a brief leave to settle some personal affairs. Then, as soon as his affairs were in order, a member of his family contracted scarlet fever and he was forced to spend a month in medical quarantine. It was not until January 21, 1891, that the new Governor arrived in the territory and was sworn into office.

A statehood movement had developed to correct what was perceived as the "second-class" status experienced by territorial citizens. Politically, the 1890 elections had resulted in the Democrats winning control of both houses of the legislature.

The legislative session began on January 19, 1891.

The address was given by Acting Governor Oakes Murphy on January 20, 1891. He expressed concern for the territory's financial condition, calling for the legislature to "either reduce expenses of government or increase revenue, to prevent serious financial complications." Murphy then expressed outrage over how common tax avoidance practices were used by territorial residents and estimated total territorial debt at US$3,427,000. The Acting Governor suggested reducing operational costs of the territorial prison "by properly reducing the cost of maintenance, utilizing prison labor, and reduction in the salaries of officers and guards" while he felt the cost of the territorial insane asylum could be offset by better utilization of the facility's farm.

Murphy announced that he had found eleven "lost laws" that had been passed by the 15th Arizona Territorial Legislature before being stored in a desk drawer by Governor C. Meyer Zulick with neither the governor's signature or veto. The Arizona Territorial Supreme court had determined the laws were valid and Murphy planned to publish them unless they were repealed by this session. In other matters, he asked for a bridge to be built near Phoenix over the Salt River, creation of usury laws and restrictions on gambling, and adoption of the secret ballot. To against the Apache outlaws, Murphy asked for a mounted police force be organized. Finally the Acting Governor requested the elimination of fiestas, noting "The Mexicans have little to do with the fiesta of the present day, as they are almost entirely conducted by Americans, and to our shame be it said that the annual exhibitions at the fiestas in the cities of Tucson and Phoenix are outrageous and a disgrace to the Territory. I recommend such legislation as will put an effective stop to these abuses."

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