1st Oklahoma Legislature

The First Oklahoma Legislature was the first meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma, composed of the Oklahoma Senate. 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.A Century to Remember
, Okhouse.gov. (accessed June 19, 2013)

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.Bryant, Keith L
MURRAY, WILLIAM HENRY DAVID (1869-1956)
Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. (accessed July 1, 2013)

2013-07-05. 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.Burke, Bob
JOHNSTON, HENRY SIMPSON (1867-1965)
, Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. (accessed July 1, 2013)

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.Wilson, Linda D.
Billups Law
," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. (accessed July 27, 2013) The bill was amended by William H. Murray to allow state liquor dispensaries for medicinal and scientific purposes. It was signed by the governor on March 24, 1908.
*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. 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) and "An Act to promote the comfort of passengers on railroads, street cars, urban, interurban, suburban cars, and at railroad stations." (Senate). 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 and by the Senate on the fifth by a wide majority of both houses (including many Republicans) and took effect December 18, 1907. 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".

Party composition

Senate

House of Representatives

Leadership

Senate

With the Democratic caucus controlling the Oklahoma Senate

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