[1][3] After being admitted to the bar in 1893, Franklin began practicing law in Phoenix, Arizona Territory.

He served as Assistant United States Attorney from 1895 to 1897 and during his father's term as Governor of Arizona Territory acted as the senior Franklin's personal secretary.

[6] He was a member of the Committee on Style, Revision, and Compilation, which determined the final wording of the constitution.

[10] The loss was attributed to voter discontent over the Arizona Supreme Court's ruling involving the disputed 1916 election results between Governor George W. P. Hunt and challenger Thomas E.

[11] Franklin was named Collector of Internal Revenue for the Arizona-New Mexico District on October 24, 1918, and resigned his position on the bench shortly thereafter.