By Dick Casey
Citizen Political Writer
Legislators think they have it tough today.
But compared to 100 years ago - during the 4th
Territorial Legislature - Arizona's new crop of lawmakers
never had it so good.
One of its members in 1867, when the capital was
in Prescott, was Philip Drachman of Tucson, a member of the
House. He had to make the 200 mile trek by buckboard, stage
and horseback. In addition to this test of stamina, he had
to worry about Apaches who did not take kindly to the settlers.
One of the important actions of the 4th Territorial
Legislation, which met from Sept. 4 to Oct. 7, was passage
of legislation to move the capital from Prescott to Tucson
the next year. Although there is no official account of Drachman's
feeling, undoubtedly he didn't mind missing another buckboard
trip back to Prescott the next session.
Actually, the capital of Arizona was move several
times after Arizona officially was designated a territory
in 1863.
In January 1864, the territorial governor's party
reached what then was known as Fort Whipple, later Camp Clark
and still later Postle's ranch in Little Cino [sic] Valley.
That was the site of the first capital.
Later that same year, Prescott became the capital
until the 4th Territorial Legislature voted to move it to
Tucson. Tucson remained the capital until 1887, when it was
move once again to Prescott.
It wasn't until 1889 that Phoenix became the permanent
home of the state seal and the site of all subsequent legislative
sessions.
Drachman, who had watched these early changes
in Arizona's government, died the year Phoenix became the
permanent capital.
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The Prescott Courier had this to say about
the Tucson Legislator:
"Well had he served Arizona in and out of
her legislature, not as a talker but as a quiet, effective
worker. Although his residence |
was over 200 miles form that of
ours; although differences between the sections caused us,
on many an occasion to go against the home interests of our
deceased friend, our having done so never for moment interfered
with the nobleness of his character, which swept away all
petty earthly issues and made him a friend in life, aye, even
in death."
Philip Drachman was the grandfather of Tucsonians
Roy, Frank, Oliver and H Cowan Drachman, Mrs. Rosemary Taylor,
and Mrs. Rosalie Avery. |
