Thomas Edward Campbell
Encyclopedia
Thomas Edward Campbell was the second governor of the state of Arizona
, United States
. He is the first Republican and first native-born governor elected after Arizona achieved statehood in 1912.
In 1917, he was initially declared the governor of Arizona in a disputed gubernatorial election but the decision was later overturned by the courts, who awarded the election to George W.P. Hunt
. Campbell ran for governor again and won two terms. He died in 1944. He played instrumental roles in the drafting of Arizona's tax and revenue laws and adoption of the Colorado River Compact
that allocated water rights among the western states.
, to Daniel and Eliza (Flynn) Campbell, who came to Fort Whipple
in 1873 where Daniel worked until 1887. Campbell was the first graduate of Prescott High School in 1893 and went on to St. Mary's College of California in Oakland where he studied geology, but did not receive a degree. In 1894, he became assistant postmaster of Jerome and after service in the Spanish-American War
then returned to Prescott where he became postmaster of the nearby town of Jerome
in 1899. The following year he married Gayle Allen whose father was an agent of the United Verde Copper Company.
In 1900, Campbell was elected to the Arizona Territorial Legislature introducing a bill mandating an eight-hour workday. Campbell was appointed Yavapai County
Tax Assessor in 1907 and held that post until 1914 when he was elected Arizona State Tax Commissioner.
Hunt filed suit in the Arizona Superior Court on January 25, 1917, and on January 27, the court declared Campbell de facto
governor. Hunt agreed to turn over the office on January 29, but appealed and on December 22, 1917, the Arizona Supreme Court overturned the lower court ruling. Campell vacated the office on December 25, but also filed an appeal with the Arizona Supreme Court on January 8, 1917, that was denied.
One of the most significant events during Campbell's year in office was the Bisbee Deportation
in which "deputies" kidnapped approximately 1,300 striking mine workers, their supporters from the Industrial Workers of the World
(IWW), and other residents of the town of Bisbee. The workers were loaded onto trains and taken approximately 200 mi (321.9 km) into New Mexico and abandoned without money or access to transportation and warned not to return to Bisbee. The "deputies" were recriuted by the Phelps Dodge Corporation which owned the Bisbee mine and ruled Bisbee with an iron hand after the deportations.
Campbell later admitted that he was embarrassed by the excessive actions by the striking workers and the mine company response. He visited Bisbee after the incident and condemned both the IWW and deportation.
Also during his 1917 tenure, the flag of Arizona
was adopted by the legislature without Campbell's consent. Campbell never explained his reasons for not signing the bill.
from 1930 to 1933. He died March 1, 1944, of a cerebral hemorrhage while on the grounds of the state capitol in Phoenix
and is buried in Prescott.
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He is the first Republican and first native-born governor elected after Arizona achieved statehood in 1912.
In 1917, he was initially declared the governor of Arizona in a disputed gubernatorial election but the decision was later overturned by the courts, who awarded the election to George W.P. Hunt
George W.P. Hunt
George Wylie Paul Hunt was an American politician and businessman. He was the first Governor of Arizona, serving a total of seven terms, along with President of the convention that wrote Arizona's constitution. In addition, Hunt served in both houses of the Arizona Territorial Legislature and was...
. Campbell ran for governor again and won two terms. He died in 1944. He played instrumental roles in the drafting of Arizona's tax and revenue laws and adoption of the Colorado River Compact
Colorado River Compact
The Colorado River Compact is a 1922 agreement among seven U.S. states in the basin of the Colorado River in the American Southwest governing the allocation of the water rights to the river's water among the parties of the interstate compact...
that allocated water rights among the western states.
Early years
Born in 1878 in Prescott, ArizonaPrescott, Arizona
Prescott is a city in Yavapai County, Arizona, USA. It was designated "Arizona's Christmas City" by Arizona Governor Rose Mofford in the late 1980s....
, to Daniel and Eliza (Flynn) Campbell, who came to Fort Whipple
Fort Whipple, Arizona
Fort Whipple was a U.S. Army post which served as Arizona Territory's capital prior to the founding of Prescott, Arizona. The post was founded by Edward Banker Willis in January 1864 in Chino Valley, Arizona, but was moved in May 1864 to Granite Creek near the present day location of Prescott. ...
in 1873 where Daniel worked until 1887. Campbell was the first graduate of Prescott High School in 1893 and went on to St. Mary's College of California in Oakland where he studied geology, but did not receive a degree. In 1894, he became assistant postmaster of Jerome and after service in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
then returned to Prescott where he became postmaster of the nearby town of Jerome
Jerome, Arizona
Jerome is a town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 353.-History:...
in 1899. The following year he married Gayle Allen whose father was an agent of the United Verde Copper Company.
In 1900, Campbell was elected to the Arizona Territorial Legislature introducing a bill mandating an eight-hour workday. Campbell was appointed Yavapai County
Yavapai County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*89.3% White*0.6% Black*1.7% Native American*0.8% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.5% Two or more races*5.0% Other races*13.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
Tax Assessor in 1907 and held that post until 1914 when he was elected Arizona State Tax Commissioner.
Governor
During the 1916 election held on November 7, Campbell ran against incumbent George W.P. Hunt who was seeking election to his third term. Initially, Campbell was declared the winner by 30 votes but Hunt refused to vacate the governor's office and both men took the oath of office on December 30, 1916.Hunt filed suit in the Arizona Superior Court on January 25, 1917, and on January 27, the court declared Campbell de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
governor. Hunt agreed to turn over the office on January 29, but appealed and on December 22, 1917, the Arizona Supreme Court overturned the lower court ruling. Campell vacated the office on December 25, but also filed an appeal with the Arizona Supreme Court on January 8, 1917, that was denied.
One of the most significant events during Campbell's year in office was the Bisbee Deportation
Bisbee Deportation
The Bisbee Deportation was the illegal deportation of about 1,300 striking mine workers, their supporters, and citizen bystanders by 2,000 vigilantes on July 12, 1917. The workers and others were kidnapped in the U.S. town of Bisbee, Arizona and held at a local baseball park. They were then loaded...
in which "deputies" kidnapped approximately 1,300 striking mine workers, their supporters from the Industrial Workers of the World
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...
(IWW), and other residents of the town of Bisbee. The workers were loaded onto trains and taken approximately 200 mi (321.9 km) into New Mexico and abandoned without money or access to transportation and warned not to return to Bisbee. The "deputies" were recriuted by the Phelps Dodge Corporation which owned the Bisbee mine and ruled Bisbee with an iron hand after the deportations.
Campbell later admitted that he was embarrassed by the excessive actions by the striking workers and the mine company response. He visited Bisbee after the incident and condemned both the IWW and deportation.
Also during his 1917 tenure, the flag of Arizona
Flag of Arizona
The flag of the state of Arizona consists of 13 rays of red and weld-yellow on the top half, the colors of the flag of Spain, representing the 13 original states. The red and yellow also symbolize Arizona's picturesque sunsets. The copper star represents a once flourishing Copper mining industry in...
was adopted by the legislature without Campbell's consent. Campbell never explained his reasons for not signing the bill.
Later life
Campbell was reelected to the governor's office in November 1918 and again in 1920 but lost again to Hunt in 1922. Campbell went on to become a member of the Republican National Committee and served as president of the United States Civil Service CommissionUnited States Civil Service Commission
The United States Civil Service Commission a three man commission was created by the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which was passed into law on January 16, 1883...
from 1930 to 1933. He died March 1, 1944, of a cerebral hemorrhage while on the grounds of the state capitol in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
and is buried in Prescott.