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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1854 | 12 |
12 stories matching first
- The First Legislative Assembly of Washington Territory Adjourns
After intense deliberation and the drafting of a new legal code, Washington’s first territorial lawmakers closed their session in Olympia.
- Legislative Turf Wars in the Early Days
Despite attempts to smear the new leadership as corrupt, the first Legislative Assembly of Washington Territory successfully organized its houses in Olympia.
- Establishing the People’s Court
Legislative action mandates the election of local probate judges to manage wills, estates, and guardianship for the Territory.
- The First Territorial Legislature Debates Statehood Infrastructure
Lawmakers in 1854 wrestle with the practicalities of building a new government, from authorizing ferries across the Columbia to navigating relations with Governor Isaac Stevens.
- Isaac Stevens Charts the Course for a New Territory
In his first address to the newly convened Legislative Assembly, Governor Isaac I. Stevens outlines an ambitious vision for Washington Territory, emphasizing infrastructure, land policy, and the need for defense.
- The 1854 Territorial Criminal Code
A comprehensive look at the foundational laws of Washington Territory, detailing everything from murder and manslaughter to the prohibition of kidnapping and coerced servitude.
- The Unfilled Chair
The Washington Territorial Legislature pauses in solemn tribute following the sudden death of a pioneer lawmaker.
- The First Legal Code of Washington Territory
A sweeping 1854 legislative act codified the rules of the frontier, from the punishment of corrupt jailers to the regulation of 'notorious barrators' and illegal gambling.
- The Struggle for Temperance in the New Territory
Legislators in the newly formed Washington Territory debate a strict 'Maine-style' liquor law, aiming to build a moral foundation for the burgeoning frontier society.
- Claiming the Puyallup Valley
A pioneer report from 1853 describes a rush of settlers onto rich timberland and the struggle to navigate the inaccessible river banks.
- The End of the Fur Trade Monopoly
Governor Stevens moves to ban the Hudson’s Bay Company from trading with local Indigenous tribes, signaling a shift toward American commercial dominance.
- Establishing Washington’s First Public School System
A legislative act outlining the structure, funding, and local oversight for common schools across the Washington Territory.