1st Oklahoma Legislature | |
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Composition: | |
The First Oklahoma Legislature was the first meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma, composed of the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The meeting took place from December 2, 1907, to May 26, 1908, in the Guthrie City Hall Building during the first year of the only term of Governor Charles Haskell.[1]
Both houses of the state legislature had large Democratic majorities. William H. Murray, who had served as the president of the state constitutional convention, was elected by his colleagues as the first Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.[2] Henry S. Johnston, who had served as the presiding officer of the state constitutional convention, was elected to serve as the first President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate.[3]
Dates of session
- Regular session: December 2, 1907 – May 26, 1908
Next: 2nd Legislature
Major legislation
- Prohibition - State Senator Richard Billups authored legislation to prohibit the manufacture, transportation and possession of liquor.[4] The bill was amended by William H. Murray to allow state liquor dispensaries for medicinal and scientific purposes.[4] It was signed by the governor on March 24, 1908.[4]
- Segregation / Jim Crow - The very first bill introduced in both houses once statehood had been achieved was a measure requiring separate coaches and waiting rooms for white and black persons.[5] Oklahoma was admitted to the Union on Saturday, November 16, 1907. The legislature convened two weeks later on Monday December 2. After formalities on the first day, both the House and Senate introduced respective Bill No. 1 on the second legislative day in each chamber, entitled: "An Act for the accommodation, comfort, convenience and protection of passengers on Railroad Trains and Cars." (House)[6] and “An Act to promote the comfort of passengers on railroads, street cars, urban, interurban, suburban cars, and at railroad stations." (Senate).[7] After a suspension of the rules (House) and designation as an emergency bill (Senate), the bill was passed by the House on the fourth legislative day[8] and by the Senate on the fifth[9] by a wide majority of both houses (including many Republicans)[10] and took effect December 18, 1907.[11] The only opposition reported in the record of either chamber was from a Senator that objected "to the section permitting negro nurses and attendants riding in the coach or compartment designated for whites".[5][9]
Party composition
Senate
| Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) |
Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Republican | |||
| 38 | 6 | 44 | ||
| Voting share | 86.4% | 13.6% | ||
House of Representatives
| Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) |
Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Republican | |||
| 93 | 16 | 109 | ||
| Voting share | 85.3% | 14.7% | ||
Leadership
Senate
With the Democratic caucus controlling the Oklahoma Senate, Henry S. Johnston of Perry, Oklahoma, was selected to serve as the first President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate.[3] Johnston had served as the presiding officer of the state constitutional convention.[3] Lieutenant Governor George W. Bellamy served as the President of the Senate, which gave him a tie-breaking vote and allowed him to serve as a presiding officer.
House
After much deliberation over who would serve as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the Democratic caucus chose William H. Murray of Tishomingo, Oklahoma, a former Chickasaw Nation representative and the president of the state constitutional convention.[1] Sworn into office on November 16, 1907, Murray pushed for legislation to curb business excesses and support agriculture during his single term as speaker.[2] State Representative Albert H. Ellis, of Garfield County, Oklahoma, was elected by his peers to serve as speaker pro tempore.[1]
Staff
Charles H. Pittman served as the first chief clerk of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.[1]
Members
Senate
State Senator Elmer Thomas would go on to serve as a United States Senator.
| District | Name | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Lt-Gov | George W. Bellamy | Dem |
| 1 | Joe S. Morris | Dem |
| 2 | A. E. Agee | Dem |
| 2 | R. E. Echols | Dem |
| 3 | A. G. Updegraff | Rep |
| 4 | Frank Mathews | Dem |
| 5 | Tom Moore | Dem |
| 6 | J. J. Williams | Dem |
| 6 | Richard Billups | Dem |
| 7 | Richard Curd | Rep |
| 8 | P. J. Goulding | Dem |
| 9 | S. J. Soldani | Dem |
| 9 | Edmund Brazell | Dem |
| 10 | Henry S. Johnston | Dem |
| 11 | Clarence Davis | Dem |
| 12 | H. S. Cunningham | Rep |
| 13 | Michael Eggerman | Dem |
| 13 | S. A. Cordell | Dem |
| 14 | Roy Everett Stafford | Dem |
| 14 | W. H. Johnson | Dem |
| 15 | L. K. Taylor | Dem |
| 15 | George Johnson | Dem |
| 16 | Emory Brownlee | Rep |
| 17 | Elmer Thomas | Dem |
| 17 | D. M. Smith | Dem |
| 18 | J. C. Little | Dem |
| 18 | J.C. Graham | Dem |
| 19 | H. S. Blair | Dem |
| 19 | Robert Wynne | Dem |
| 20 | Jesse Hatchett | Dem |
| 20 | T. F. Memminger | Dem |
| 21 | Edwin Sorrels | Dem |
| 22 | H. H. Holman | Dem |
| 23 | Reuben Roddie | Dem |
| 24 | W. P. Stewart | Dem |
| 25 | William Redwine | Rep |
| 26 | William M. Franklin | Dem |
| 27 | Eck Brook | Dem |
| 27 | Campbell Russell | Dem |
| 28 | Petway Conn | Dem |
| 29 | J. M. Keyes | Dem |
| 30 | Elias Landrum | Dem |
| 31 | P. J. Yeager | Dem |
| 32 | H. E. P. Stanford | Rep |
| 33 | Joseph Strain | Dem |
House of Representatives
Speaker of the Oklahoma House William H. Murray
| Name | Party | County |
|---|---|---|
| T. L. Rider | Dem | Adair |
| Dan G. Murley | Dem | Alfalfa |
| John R. Evans | Rep | Alfalfa, Grant |
| Robert M. Rainey | Dem | Atoka |
| William A. Durant | Dem | Atoka, Bryan |
| Abel J. Sands | Rep | Beaver |
| George Whitehurst | Dem | Beckham |
| William H. Bowdre | Rep | Blaine |
| J. H. Baldwin | Dem | Bryan |
| A. F. Ross | Dem | Bryan |
| Charles C. Fisher | Dem | Caddo |
| Frank Stevens | Dem | Caddo |
| Ben Wilson | Dem | Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland |
| Milton B. Cope | Dem | Canadian |
| Leo Harris | Dem | Carter |
| J. F. McCants | Dem | Carter |
| Joseph L. Manus | Dem | Cherokee |
| William H. Armstrong | Dem | Choctaw |
| Frank L. Casteel | Dem | Cimarron |
| J. Vandaveer | Dem | Cleveland |
| George W. O'Neal | Dem | Coal |
| C. A. Skeen | Dem | Coal, Johnston |
| Roy J. Williams | Dem | Comanche |
| Amil H. Japp | Dem | Comanche, Stephens |
| E. J. Hobdy | Dem | Craig |
| John T. Ezzard | Dem | Craig, Rogers |
| W. B. Stone | Dem | Creek |
| Woodson E. Norvell | Dem | Creek, Tulsa |
| Howell Smith | Dem | Custer |
| L. L. Reeves | Dem | Custer, Washita |
| Lee B. Smith | Dem | Delaware |
| W. G. Smith | Rep | Dewey |
| Elmer V. Jesse | Dem | Ellis |
| Albert H. Ellis | Dem | Garfield |
| Joseph M. Porter | Rep | Garfield |
| Eugene Watrous | Rep | Garfield, Kingfisher |
| W. M. Lindsay | Dem | Garvin |
| William Tabor | Dem | Garvin |
| Robert M. Johnson | Dem | Grady |
| Albert S. Riddle | Dem | Grady |
| Joseph W. Smith | Dem | Grant |
| George W. Briggs | Dem | Greer |
| W. C. Pendegraft | Dem | Greer |
| John W. Durst | Dem | Harper |
| Ed D. Boyle | Dem | Haskell |
| J. B. Crouch | Dem | Haskell, Muskogee |
| Edward Swengal | Dem | Hughes |
| Benjamin F. Harrison | Dem | Hughes, Pittsburg |
| William A. Banks | Dem | Jackson |
| Charles M. London | Dem | Jefferson |
| William H. Murray | Dem | Johnston |
| Q. T. Brown | Dem | Kay |
| Logan Hawkins | Dem | Kay |
| Harvey Utterback | Rep | Kingfisher |
| Jesse T. Armstrong | Dem | Kiowa |
| J. V. Faulkner | Dem | Kiowa |
| James E. Stivers | Dem | Latimer |
| Charles W. Broome | Dem | LeFlore |
| E. A. Moore | Dem | LeFlore, Sequoyah |
| H. M. Jarrett | Dem | Lincoln |
| James H. Lockwood | Rep | Lincoln |
| H. G. Stettmund | Dem | Lincoln, Pottawatomie |
| Will H. Chappell | Rep | Logan |
| John S. Shearer | Rep | Logan |
| George H. Stagner | Rep | Logan |
| John McCalla | Dem | Love |
| Joe R. Sherman | Rep | Major |
| H.S.P. Ashby | Dem | Marshall |
| Henry N. Butler | Dem | Mayes |
| Thomas C. Whitson | Dem | McClain |
| William H. Harrison | Dem | McCurtain |
| William B. Beck | Dem | McIntosh |
| M. Turner | Dem | Murray |
| Fred P. Branson | Dem | Muskogee |
| A. J. Snelson | Dem | Muskogee |
| Charles A. Fraser | Rep | Noble |
| J. A. Tillotson | Dem | Nowata |
| Thomas B. Wortman | Dem | Okfuskee |
| Curtis R. Day | Rep | Oklahoma |
| A. T. Earley | Dem | Oklahoma |
| Charles G. Jones | Rep | Oklahoma |
| I. M. Putnam | Dem | Oklahoma |
| William C. McAdoo | Dem | Okmulgee |
| John D. Deyerle | Dem | Osage |
| A. G. Martin | Dem | Ottawa |
| William Murdock | Dem | Pawnee |
| George D. Hudson | Dem | Pawnee, Payne |
| P. A. Bullard | Dem | Payne |
| J. L. Hendrickson | Dem | Pittsburg |
| Henry M. McElhaney | Dem | Pittsburg |
| Frank Huddleston | Dem | Pontotoc |
| Edgar S. Ratliff | Dem | Pontotoc, Seminole |
| Milton Bryan | Dem | Pottawatomie |
| William S. Carson | Dem | Pottawatomie |
| William F. Durham | Dem | Pottawatomie |
| Ben T. Williams | Dem | Pushmataha |
| Joseph Paschal | Dem | Roger Mills |
| John F. Tandy | Dem | Rogers |
| Jesse Chastain | Dem | Seminole |
| George Winchester Allen | Dem | Sequoyah |
| W. B. Anthony | Dem | Stephens |
| E. J. Earle | Dem | Texas |
| Henry R. King | Dem | Tillman |
| Cicero L. Holland | Dem | Tulsa |
| A. D. Orcutt | Rep | Wagoner |
| A. F. Vandeventer | Dem | Washington |
| David L. Smith | Dem | Washita |
| William T. Abbott | Dem | Woods |
| Irving W. Hart | Dem | Woodward |
- Table based on government database.[15]
References
- 1 2 3 4 A Century to Remember Archived September 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Okhouse.gov. (accessed June 19, 2013)
- 1 2 Bryant, Keith L. MURRAY, WILLIAM HENRY DAVID (1869-1956), Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. (accessed July 1, 2013). Archived 2013-07-05.
- 1 2 3 Burke, Bob. JOHNSTON, HENRY SIMPSON (1867-1965) Archived 2013-10-05 at the Wayback Machine, Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. (accessed July 1, 2013)
- 1 2 3 Wilson, Linda D. "Billups Law Archived 2012-11-19 at the Wayback Machine," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. (accessed July 27, 2013)
- 1 2 "Senate Bill One | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture". www.okhistory.org. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
- ↑ "SECOND DAY. Tuesday, 10 o'clock, a. m., Dec. 3, 1907, CITY HALL, GUTIHRIE" (PDF). JOURNAL OF THE House of Representatives OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE First Legislature of Oklahoma. GUTHRIE, OKLAHOMA: LEADER PRINTING AND MANUFACTURIG HOUSE. 1. Page 12, Page 14 of PDF. 1908.
- ↑ "SECOND DAY, Senate Chamber, Tuesday, December 3rd, 1907" (PDF). JOURNAL, Proceedings of the Senate, FIRST LEGISLATURE OF THE SENATE OF OKLAHOMA. Muskogee, Oklahoma: Muskogee Printing Company. 1. Page 6, Page 14 of PDF. 1909.
- ↑ "FOURTH DAY. Thursday, 10 o'clock, a. m., Dec. 5, 1907, CITY HALL, GUTIHRIE" (PDF). JOURNAL OF THE House of Representatives OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE First Legislature of Oklahoma. GUTHRIE, OKLAHOMA: LEADER PRINTIG AND MANUFACTURIG HOUSE. 1. Page 14, Page 16 of PDF. 1908.
- 1 2 "FIFTH DAY, Senate Chamber, Friday, December 6th, 1907" (PDF). JOURNAL, Proceedings of the Senate, FIRST LEGISLATURE OF THE SENATE OF OKLAHOMA. Muskogee, Oklahoma: Muskogee Printing Company. 1. Page 17, Page 26 of PDF. 1909.
- ↑ "Oklahoma's first Legislature moved to enact Jim Crow laws". Oklahoman.com. 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
- ↑ Oklahoma; Curtis, William L; Elder, Benedict (1908). Written at University of Michigan. General statutes of Oklahoma, 1908: a compilation of all the laws of a general nature including the session laws of 1907, annotated to volume 18 Oklahoma reports, 96 Pacific reporter, 76 Kansas reports and 150 California reports. Kansas City, Mo.: Pipes-Reed Book Co. Pages 1222-1224, Images #1238-1240. hdl:2027/mdp.35112105486858.
- ↑ Directory of State of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Election Board (accessed on Google Books on June 23, 2013).
- ↑ All Senate List, Okhouse.gov (accessed on June 23, 2013). 2013-06-30.
- ↑ Oklahoma Almanac, 2005 Archived 2006-02-18 at the Wayback Machine, Oklahoma Department of Libraries (accessed June 27, 2013)
- ↑ Historic Members, Okhouse.gov (accessed June 20, 2013). Archived 2013-06-22.
External links
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