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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1889 | 17 |
| 1890 | 5 |
| 1891 | 5 |
| 1892 | 2 |
29 stories matching constitut
- The City Charter Crisis
Mayor R.K. Nichols warns that the city's legal authority has been gutted by the new state constitution.
- The Constitutional Debt Fight
As the constitutional convention debates municipal debt limits, local editors fear Oregon-style fiscal conservatism will hinder growth.
- The Fight for the Franchise
As Washington moved toward statehood in 1889, delegates placed the question of woman suffrage directly before the voters in a separate ballot article.
- The Constitutional Fears of a Growing Territory
As Washington prepares for statehood, editorial warnings emerge that restricting capital and corporate investment could paralyze the region’s economic momentum.
- The 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.
- Drafting Washington's Founding Charter
Delegates at the constitutional convention debate the future of the state, including voting rights, tide lands, and the location of the capital.
- The Birth of Washington's Constitutional Rights
A historic publication of the 1889 Washington State Constitution, establishing the foundational rights and governance that define the state's civic character.
- Drawing the Lines for Statehood
As Washington approached statehood, the territory grappled with how to divide itself into twenty-five districts to select delegates for a constitutional convention.
- County Commission Petitions for Power to Tax Northern Pacific Railroad
In a bid to expand local tax coffers, Yakima County officials lobby the state to end the tax-exempt status of the railroad's sprawling infrastructure.
- Civic Disruption at City Hall
Mayor forces order after council members devolve into petty squabbles during public business.
- Accusations of Corruption in State Capitol Planning
The Walla Walla Statesman warns that a proposed constitutional amendment is a front for a 'boodler' syndicate in Olympia.
- Washington House Speaker Says Courts Can Save Tide Lands
Speaker J. W. Feighan argues that Washington's tide land giveaway is unconstitutional and calls for a citizens' lawsuit to halt the sale.
- The Final Countdown to Statehood
A legal peek into the procedural mechanics of Washington’s impending admission to the Union.
- Ellensburg, Olympia and Yakima Vie for Capital
As Washington prepares for statehood, a vicious battle erupts between Yakima, Ellensburg, and Olympia over which city deserves to be the capital.
- A Populist Critique of Corporate Power
State Senator J. T. Eshelman delivers a scathing rebuke of Republican 'corporate monopolies' before the Democratic Society of Washington.
- 1889 Ballot Pairs Capital Site With Suffrage and Prohibition
North Yakima lobbies to become the permanent seat of government as the territory prepares for statehood.
- The Fight for Representation: Washington's Impending Reapportionment
As the state prepares for an extra legislative session, smaller counties brace for a battle against the growing influence of the urban Puget Sound.
- The Price of a Gubernatorial Campaign
The Herald alleges that the Republican victory was purchased through the support of the saloon and gambling classes.
- The Looming Birth of a State
As Washington prepares for statehood, the race is on to secure housing and logistics in Olympia for a surge of arriving politicians and militia.
- Geography and the Marital Bond
A look at why Washington Territory's lax divorce laws are making it a destination for those seeking to leave their marriages behind.
- Farmer's Alliance Convention Ends in Chaos
A political assembly in Dayton dissolves into a brawl after the president is expelled.
- The Rowdy Representative from Washington
Critics decry the 'energy' of Congressman John L. Wilson following his physical altercation on the floor of the U.S. House.
- The Fight That Sparked a Spasm of Virtue
A boxing exhibition at the opera house turns into a legal battle over what constitutes a prize fight.
- Yakima Attorney Makes the Case for State Capital
A prominent local attorney explains why Yakima should be the new capital of Washington Territory.
- The Great Capital Land Grab
Boosterism and real estate speculation collide as small towns across Washington Territory compete to host the state capital.