Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-11
rani.atson Of . southern confed-

to the organization Of . southern confed-
eracy.
1t was not until 1856 that the United
states took military possession OF the
Gadsden purchase by sending a detachment
OF four companies of the LIST Dragons,
Wnich force was stationed at Tucson and
Gadsden purchase was believed to be rich
IN precious metals Americans had long
oeen more or less conversant with Next
can traditions OF immensely rich mines
discovered in Jesuit times and abandoned
III consequence of Apache raids. Reports
OF the various government explorers who
hao IN all directions noted indications Of
mineral wealth, corroborated the current
traditions, and made Arizona a most At
FactiNe country for adventurers all the
more so because of the recent successes OF
gold seekers I'm California
Politics, hut No Government.
Arizona, besides its Apaches and outlaws
mad for several years following its acouI-
sition by the United States its politics and
Pon1lcians. but not much government
rom lsSl to 1854 IT was part OF the ter
ritory or New Mexico. and was theore,I-
cally divided into five or six counties. A
convention was held at Tucson August ~
1896 which resolved not only TO send
memorial to Congress urging the organiza-
uon OF a territory OF Arizona hut In send
oeieeate TO Washington. and in Septem-
per Nathan 2. Cook was elected delegate
ne was not admitted to a seat hut his
MISSION was brought before the Louise In
January. 1857. The decision was reached
py the House that 1t was not wise 10 give
arizona territorial government because
OF the limited population. but recognized
the unfortunate condition of the peonle
ana agreed to organize a judicial district
south or the ella. bill to that effect
was passed by the Senate in February, but
was not acted upon by the House
In 1861. from the "a to the 9Th Of April
there was held at Tucson a constitutional
convention. composed OF thirty-one dele
gates. which proceeded to ordain and es-
tablish provisional constitution to remain
In force until Congress should organize a
territorial government and no longer
Nothlng. however. done under this
soi-disant government beyond the election
and appointment OF officials under its pro-
visions.
Arizona Bill Discussed
Finally. In March. 1862. the Arizona bill
was again introduced and discussed in
Congress. The following account Of the
wire-pulling preliminary to the passage OF
the bill is recorded:
Old Ben Wade. as he was called who
was chairman of the Senate committee on
territories. ascertained. 1t is said. that there
were number Of members of the expiring
Congress who had been defeated in their
own districts for the next term, and who
wanted to go west and offer their political
services to the galoots' and that IL they
could be grouped together and a sattsfac-
tory STATE made they would have influence
enough TO carry the bill through Congress-
consequently. an oyster supper was organ
lied to which the lame ducks were IN
Flted. and then and there the slate was
made and the territory virtually organized
90 tne d IL passed. President Lincoln signed
all the commissions. the oyster supper was
paid for and Arizona was launched upon
the political sea-