The governor had left for Washington, D.C., on February 28, 1879, to lobby the territory's case in a dispute over the boundaries of the Gila River Indian Reservation.
To this end he called for Federal aid in building water storage systems within the territory and increased trade with Mexico.
In the message, Governor Frémont called for a 100-man force to be organized to fight banditry along and near the border with Mexico.
A variety of bond issues were additionally authorized to fund construction of courthouses, jails, and other government buildings throughout the territory.
[8] Acting upon the governor's recommendation, the territorial bullion tax on mined products was repealed.