Alfred M. Franklin at the Dawn of His Career: Arizona's First Chief Justice Serves as Private Secretary to His Father, Territorial Governor Benjamin J. Franklin, 1896-1897

Abstract:     
Based on original archival research at the Arizona State Archives, this paper traces Arizona's first Chief Justice at the dawn of his career, 1896-97. During that year, Alfred Franklin simultaneously served as private secretary to the governor and as assistant U.S. Attorney for Arizona. At the tender age of 25, these roles exposed the future Chief Justice to the heavy burdens of statecraft, including responsibility for the executive branch of state, addressing Arizona's legislative assembly, and litigating a capital case before the territorial supreme court that attracted national media attention, caused a diplomatic stir with Denmark, and that was not ultimately resolved until President McKinley himself stepped in.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 17

Keywords: Arizona History, Statecraft, Territorial History, Alfred Franklin, Arizona statehood

Accepted Paper Series