H. A. Davis

Davis was originally from Nebraska, born on a ranch there in 1879. In his younger years he worked as a miner in Colorado, and in the newspaper business in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. He married Alice Greenhaugh in Iowa. In 1908 he moved to Arizona, where he went to work for the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson.{{cite news|title=W. B. Galbraith New President Of Nebraskans |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105066188/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=May 15, 1925 |page=5 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}}

Davis was a newspaperman, and in 1909 was the editor of the Parker Herald,{{cite news|title=Paper For Parker |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105066211/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=April 18, 1909 |page=24 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}} and by 1911 was the owner of the State Press Printing Company.{{cite news|title=Lower Rates Commodities Now Assured |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105066267/ |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=March 9, 1911 |page=3 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|title=Democrats Refuse To Bring Out Election Bill In State Senate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105066288/ |newspaper=Tucson Citizen |date=May 7, 1912 |page=6 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}}

Davis died from a heart attack on February 2, 1946, in Los Angeles, California.{{cite news|title=H. A. Davis Dies At Los Angeles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105066301/obituary-for-h-a-davis/ |newspaper=Arizona Republic |date=February 3, 1946 |page=5 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}}

He was one of four candidates for the two senate seats in Maricopa County in the Democrat primary held on October 24, 1911.{{cite news|title=Notice Of Primary Election To Be Held Tuesday, October 24 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105199008/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=October 21, 1911 |page=8 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}} He came in second to C.B. Wood in the Democrat primary, and they both won the general election in December 1911.{{cite news|title=Good Run For Fat Man |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105199043/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=October 31, 1911 |page=6 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|title=Members Of The First Legislature |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103135887/ |newspaper=The Coconino Sun |date=December 22, 1911 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}} When the legislature convened in March 1912, Davis was made chairman of the Public Lands and Municipal Corporations Committee, as well as sitting on two other committees.{{cite news|title=Legislative Grind Goes On |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105199137/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=March 22, 1912 |page=3 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}} In 1912, he was accused of being involved in a graft scheme involving his State Printing company and the awarding of government printing contracts.{{cite news|title=Types Of "Progressives" |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105199188/ |newspaper=Tucson Citizen |date=May 15, 1912 |page=4 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}} Also in 1912, there was a debate regarding whether or not there should be another election in 1912, following the 1911 election. Davis led the fight barring the election, stating the opinion that such an election would be illegal under the Arizona Constitution. After several lower court defeats, the state supreme court officially sided with Davis, making the next election scheduled for 1914.{{cite news|title=Early Action On Injunction |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105199214/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=July 4, 1912 |page=10 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|title=Probability Points To An Election |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105199238/ |newspaper=The Holbrook News |date=July 12, 1912 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|title=No Election In Arizona In This Year Of Our Lord Says The Supreme Court |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105199304/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=July 16, 1912 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}} The disagreement grew out of the provision in the Arizona Constitution that state elections would be held in "even numbered years". However, the court ruled, when the constitution was written, it was expected that statehood would be granted in 1911, but that statehood was held up until 1912, so the intent of the constitution was to hold the next election in the next even numbered year after statehood.{{cite news|title=All Officers Will Hold On For Two Years |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103135980/ |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=July 16, 1912 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}}

File:HADavis.1926.jpg

Davis was a steadfast supporter of Women's Suffrage. He gave many reasons whenever asked why he supported it, including, "Nobody questions a man's right to the voting franchise just because he is male. Men themselves have wisely curtailed the ballot to a certain age, to defined conditions and in many states to educational requirements. Just why women should be classed with children, the uneducated, criminals and idiots in the division of the human family who are denied the suffrage privilege has always surpassed my comprehension.{{cite news|title=Senator Davis In Campaign For Women |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389478/ |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=September 7, 1912 |page=2 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}} He campaigned extensively for suffrage during 1912, and expressed optimism over its passage in the November 1912 election.{{cite news|title=Senator Davis Returns |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389492/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=October 19, 1912 |page=6 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}} Davis was successful in his campaign, and the referendum giving women the right to vote in Arizona passed by a 2–1 margin on November 5, 1912.{{cite news|title=Women's Suffrage Wins By Very Big Majority |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389509/ |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=November 6, 1912 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}} Following the passage of the suffrage referendum, Davis authored a bill to expedite the registration of women voters to ensure they were eligible to vote in the next election. The bill passed both the senate and the house in March 1913.{{cite news|title=Solons Finally Pass Registration Bill |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389518/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=March 14, 1913 |page=5 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 21, 2022}} {{Open access}}

In that first legislative term, Davis was also the author of the Davis University Timber Act, which regulated the extraction of timber from lands controlled by the state university, and mandated the sale dollars to be added to the permanent endowment of the school.{{cite news|title=Timber Lands Pay University $500,000 Fund |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389628/ |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=January 10, 1926 |page=19 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}} In 1914, during an address at the University of Arizona, Davis advocated eradicating all fees and tuition for students at the university. He felt that the loss in revenue could be made up from other sources, particularly better management of the income derived from lands owned by the university.{{cite news|title=Free Tuition Advocated By Senator Davis |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389642/ |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=March 13, 1914 |page=3 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}} In 1913 it was reported that Davis was one of five democrats in the state senate who would run for governorship in 1914.{{cite news|title=Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389653/ |newspaper=Weekly Journal-Miner |date=March 28, 1913 |page=8 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|title=Some Gubernatorial Timber In View |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389664/ |newspaper=Tombstone Epitaph |date=September 7, 1913 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}} However, by July 1914, Davis had turned his attention from the governor's seat to running for re-election to the state senate,{{cite news|title=Politics Cling To Bench In Maricopa |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389674/ |newspaper=Bisbee Daily Review |date=July 5, 1914 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}} and in August he officially announced his candidacy for the state senate.{{cite news|title=One Good Term Deserves Another |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389684/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=August 18, 1914 |page=6 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}} During the September Democrat primary, Davis came in third, behind O. S. Stapley, who finished first, and Sam F. Webb. Webb finished with 2,423 votes to Davis' 2,285, a lead of 138. Davis filed a petition for recount, alleging that there were canvassing irregularities in 9 districts.{{cite news|title=News And Views From The Capitol Of Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389700/ |newspaper=The Holbrook News |date=September 25, 1914 |page=4 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}} The petition was heard by the superior court, who ruled that a recount of those 9 districts should go forward.{{cite news|title=Davis Gets Recount |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105389708/ |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=September 26, 1914 |page=4 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}} In the recount, Davis gained 58 votes while Webb lost 45, however that net difference of 103 was not enough to overcome the initial outcome of the election, and Webb was declared the Democrat nominee.{{cite news|title=Itemized Statement Of Davis Recount Contest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077219/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=September 28, 1914 |page=3 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}}

In 1916, Davis again announced his intention to run for the state senate. Both incumbents, O. S. Stapley and Sam F. Webb had decided not to run for re-election.{{cite news|title=Maricopa Woods Are Full Of Candidates For The Legislature |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077122/ |newspaper=Bisbee Daily Review |date=February 18, 1916 |page=3 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}} Heading into the primary, there developed two teams of candidates for the two Democrat nominations, Davis and Paul Baxter Beville on one side, versus O. S. Stapley and W. T. Smith on the other, Stapley having changed his mind about running for re-election.{{cite news|title=Some Acidity In This Fight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077153/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=September 5, 1916 |page=3 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}} In the primary Davis finished first, with 2,997 votes, and Stapley second with 2,527, edging out Belville who received 2,452.{{cite news|title=Olney's Lead Is Swelled By Late Returns |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102580136/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=September 15, 1916 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}} The two Democrats were defeated in the general election, losing to Ernest Hall and H. B. Wilkinson.{{cite news|title=G.O.P. Solons Chosen Six Of Eight Winners |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077178/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=November 9, 1916 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 22, 2022}} {{Open access}}

1924 saw Davis once again throw his hat into the ring for state senator from Maricopa.{{cite news|title=H. A. Davis Davis Returns Following Trip To Northern Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077274/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=August 30, 1924 |page=12 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|title=A Good Record |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077287/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=August 30, 1924 |page=6 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}} He came in second in the primary with 2,522 votes behind J. J. Cox who garnered 5,337, but ahead of incumbent Hugh C. Gilbert, who came in third with 2,150 votes.{{cite news|title=Maricopa County Vote In Primary Election |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077310/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=September 11, 1924 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}} In November, the two Democrats defeated their Republican opponents, with Cox coming in first with 12, 256 votes and Davis tallied 10,564.{{cite news|title=Supervisors Announce Final Result Of Official Election Canvass In Maricopa County |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077336/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=November 19, 1924 |page=6 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}} During his term in office, like is contemporary Fred Sutter, he opposed ratification of the Colorado River Compact.{{cite news|title=Senator Davis Tells Why He Opposes Present Pact |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077352/ |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=February 26, 1925 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}} In April 1926, Davis announced his intention to run for the Democrat nomination as a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, with the primary being held in September.{{cite news|title=State Senator Davis Announces Candidacy For Congress Subject To Democratic Primary, Sept. 7 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077368/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=April 23, 1926 |page=6 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}} In the primary, Davis finished a distant fourth in a field of five candidates, receiving only 3,627 votes, while the winner, Lewis Williams Douglas received 18,452.{{cite news|title=Democratic Ballot |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077403/ |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=September 5, 1926 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|title=Luke And Murphy In Neck And Neck Fight In Commissioner Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103193806/ |newspaper=Tucson Citizen |date=September 10, 1926 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}} In 1928, having not run for the state senate re-election in 1926, he declared his intention to seek the Maricopa seat once again.{{cite news|title=Seven Seeking Chandler Post Next Tuesday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077446/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=September 2, 1928 |page=12 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}} However, Davis finished third in the Democrat primary, behind eventual winners, Allan K. Perry and J. G. Peterson.{{cite news|title=Wright And Jones Are Apparently Chosen As Candidates For Sherrif |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106077473/ |newspaper=The Arizona Republican |date=September 12, 1928 |page=1 |via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = March 23, 2022}} {{Open access}}

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Category:Democratic Party Arizona state senators

Category:1946 deaths

Category:1879 births

Category:20th-century members of the Arizona State Legislature