Arizona. Original Document Regulating Gambling in the Counties. Signed By Governor John Goodwin and Two Other Major Leaders, November 9, 1864

Prescott, [AZ], 1864. Slight variations in text from the printed published the next year (1865). Possibly W. Claude Jones copy. The printed version adds: "shall take effect and be in force from and after the passage of this act." Two page document signed by Governor John Goodwin, President of the Legislative Council, Coles Bashford and W. Claude-Jones who was Speaker of the House of Representatives. Page one measures 9 1/2" x 15; Page two measures 10 1/2" x 15". Included is the original bill number (46) signed by James Anderson who was the official clerk of the House. It measures 4" x 5 1/4". This remarkable document is important for several reasons. First, it can be compared for minute differences with the actual printed forms of both the Journals of the First Legislative Assembly as well as the Acts, Memorials and Resolutions which were published the following year (1865). The goal was to both exclude minors (under age 21) from losing their hard earned money as well as helping each county to collect $100 a month for each table at which gambling took place. This helped pay the Sheriff and other officials' salaries. It was not until the 24th Territorial Legislature that Governor Joseph H. Kibbey demanded the abolishment of gambling which was one of two major obstacles in Arizona's quest for statehood (the other was relating to the easy removal of State Supreme Court Justices by a simple vote). Of course, it was not until 1988 when the Federal Indian gambling Regulatory Act became law that gambling then become legal in the state on Indian reservations.