February 10 – March 7, 1889
The Great Statehood Jubilee: Washington Takes Its Seat at the Table
Reports conflict on whether Cleveland or Harrison signed statehood in 1889.
4 reports in The Seattle Post-Intelligencer and The Yakima Herald, February 10 – March 7, 1889.
The story
In February and March 1889, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported celebrations over Washington statehood, but its accounts conflicted: a Feb. 22 report said President Cleveland signed an admission bill on Lincoln’s birthday, while a Mar. 6 report said President Harrison signed the “Omnibus Bill.” A Mar. 7 Yakima Herald report described a congressional mandate setting up a constitutional convention, and a Feb. 10 Post-Intelligencer report said territorial lawyers disagreed over whether the governor could call such a convention without Congress.
Told from the 4 reports below. The reports are the record.
The archive grouped these reports automatically, by date, place and subject.
The reports 4
- The Seattle Post-IntelligencerThe Governor’s Dilemma: Can Washington Skip Congress to Become a State?
Territory’s top lawyers clash over whether the Governor can unilaterally call a constitutional convention to bypass federal delays in statehood.
- The Seattle Post-IntelligencerThe Great Statehood Jubilee: Washington Takes Its Seat at the Table
As President Cleveland signs the admission bill on Lincoln’s birthday, Seattle celebrates the end of the territorial era and the dawn of sovereign self-governance.
- The Seattle Post-IntelligencerThe Last Frontier: Washington Admitted to the Union
As President Harrison signs the 'Omnibus Bill,' Seattle celebrates the end of territorial status and the dawn of statehood for the Pacific Northwest.
- The Yakima HeraldThe Path to Statehood: Washington Territory Prepares for Union
Congressional mandate sets the stage for a constitutional convention, marking the end of territorial status and the beginning of Washington as a state.
From the pages
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer · Feb 10, 1889
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer · Feb 22, 1889
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer · Mar 6, 1889
The Yakima Herald · Mar 7, 1889
Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Public domain.