11th Arizona Territorial Legislature

Governor Frémont's address to the session focused upon economic development. To this end he called for Federal aid in building water storage systems within the territory and increased trade with Mexico.[5] To encourage additional capital investment in the territory's mines, the governor requested removal of all taxes levied on mining products.[6] On other issues, Frémont recommended divorces be handled by the courts.[6]

The regular address was followed on February 21, 1881, by a special message. In the message, Governor Frémont called for a 100-man force to be organized to fight banditry along and near the border with Mexico.[8]

The most important, and contentious action of the session was the creation of three new counties: Cochise, Gila, Graham.[8] Of these, Cochise County generated the most objections. Creation of the county was opposed by interests in Tucson due to the diversion of tax income from their city to the new county seat. Tombstone had however managed to elect a disproportional level of representation to the session and was able to overcome the objections.[7] The new county's name also generated opposition as Representative Sharp of Maricopa County objected to the county being named for Cochise due to the "depredation and murderous attacks of that bloodthirsty savage."[9]

The towns of Phoenix, Prescott, and Tombstone were incorporated. A variety of bond issues were additionally authorized to fund construction of courthouses, jails, and other government buildings throughout the territory.[8]

Acting upon the governor's recommendation, the territorial bullion tax on mined products was repealed.[8] Frémont's request for a special force to fight crime along border with Mexico was refused.[8] The previous session's creation of a territorial lottery was repealed,[10] and gambling by minors prohibited.[8]