16th Arizona Territorial Legislature

The address was given by Acting Governor Oakes Murphy on January 20, 1891.[7] 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."[1] 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.[1] 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.[1]

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Territorial Supreme court had determined the laws were valid and Murphy planned to publish them unless they were repealed by this session.[8] In other matters, he asked for a bridge to be built near Phoenix over the Salt River, creation of usury laws and restrictions on gambling,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.[7] To against the Apache outlaws, Murphy asked for a mounted police force be organized.[1] 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."[9]

Acting upon Acting Governor Murphy's recommendation, the session decided to publish the "lost laws" from the previous session.[8] They then eliminated the territorial offices of Commissioner of Immigration and Territorial Geologist.[6] A new tax of US$30/month was imposed upon gambling tables.[10] Additionally gambling tables were banned from any fair ground, fiesta, park, or race track.[8] The ban had the added benefit of effectively fulfilling Murphy's request to halt the territory's fiestas.[6] The legislature also established the secret ballot during territorial elections.[6]

The session granted an exemption from jury duty to volunteer firefighters and a means of promoting better fire protection.[11] Cattle rustling was discouraged by requiring any cattle sold to be branded and livestock inspections to be performed before the cattle could be shipped.[11] In transportation issues, the maximum railroad fare for railroads was set at $0.06/mile[6] Meanwhile, new railroads were granted a twenty-year tax exemption.[11] To aid in law enforcement, a ranger force was authorized.[11] Additionally a military code was passed that required all male inhabitants of the territory between the ages of 18 and 45 to be available for militia duty in times of need.[11] A new county, Coconino, was created from northern Yavapai County while a section of the Tonto Basin was transferred to Gila County.[11]

Sensing the territory would soon achieve statehood, the session was authorization of a constitutional convention.[6] This was done without the U.S. Congress passing an Enabling act and it was anticipated that having a ratified constitution when the next request for statehood was made would speed the statehood process.[11]