6th Utah Territorial Legislature

The 6th Utah Territorial Legislature comprised members of the Territorial Council serving the second year of their terms, together with members of the House of Representatives elected to one-year terms. The regular election for the House was held August 4, 1856.

Three sitting members of the Territorial Council were unavailable to return and were replaced by election: Orson Pratt, John A. Ray, and George A. Smith. In addition, special elections were required for a Council seat when Parley P. Pratt resigned, and to a House seat vacated by the death of Jedediah M. Grant.

Session
The legislative session initially convened on December 8, 1856, at the Territorial Statehouse in Fillmore. Dissatisfied with the unfinished condition of the Statehouse and the failure of Congress to reimburse the territory or to appropriate additional funds for its completion, the legislators quickly passed a resolution changing the seat of government from Fillmore to Salt Lake City. The session then adjourned and was re-convened in Salt Lake City on December 18.