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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1854 | 1 |
| 1858 | 2 |
| 1859 | 3 |
| 1860 | 2 |
| 1861 | 1 |
| 1862 | 3 |
| 1872 | 1 |
| 1876 | 8 |
| 1877 | 9 |
| 1878 | 6 |
| 1880 | 3 |
| 1883 | 10 |
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| 1885 | 3 |
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| 1892 | 48 |
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| 1898 | 2 |
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| 1900 | 1 |
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| 1903 | 23 |
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| 1905 | 3 |
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405 stories matching confirm
- Seattle Aldermen Kill Scurry's Confirmation in a Jiffy
A raucous 1895 council session turns into a fight over public works, unemployment relief, and a telephone monopoly.
- The Mayor Fires Two Police Commissioners to Keep Blackchapel Shut
In a single day, Mayor Phelps removed two police commissioners, accused them of conspiring to protect a red-light district and oust Chief Rogers, and installed replacements before the House of Delegates could slow him down.
- City Council Rejects Fire Chief Nominee
In a tense, silent session, the Seattle City Council votes against confirming Gardner Kellogg as the new fire chief.
- The Clerkship Scandal at City Hall
A municipal court clerkship nomination is derailed amid allegations of a secret deal to trade the position for political favor.
- Fire Chief Ousted in Late-Night Commission Coup
A divided fire commission removes Chief Allen for 'incompetency' and taps ex-Chief Kellogg, prompting a furious protest from the mayor.
- A Cold Night at City Hall
Seattle's council confirms a fire commissioner, stalls a plumbing nominee accused of theft, and warns unemployed workers to stay away.
- A Judge Too Reversed: Senate Blocks Allyn's Regent Seat
The state Senate refuses to confirm Judge Frank Allyn of Tacoma as university regent, citing incompetence, extravagance and a remarkable reversal record.
- A Tie Vote Leaves Newport's Telephone Franchise Hanging
The old council adjourns sine die after deadlocking on a telephone ordinance; the new mayor and marshal take office amid a 154-name petition.
- Seven Votes Decide the Sheriff: Judge Langley Tosses Out Fraud Charges and Seats Van de Vanter
After a six-week ballot-by-ballot recount, a Seattle judge ruled that clumsy election officers could not disfranchise King County voters—and confirmed the Republican sheriff by a seven-vote margin.
- The Ground Under Rainier Addition: A Seven-Year Title Fight Ends—for Now
After three trials and repeated reversals, Henry S. Alger is declared owner of a tract already platted into lots and improved by buyers who trusted the Hill title.
- Tacoma's Anti-Boodler Council Seizes Power, Demands Accounting of City Funds
A new coalition of Republicans and Populists takes control of Tacoma's city council, stripping power from the old guard and launching an investigation into the city's $720,000 bank deposit. Mayor Orr's appointments are blocked as the finance committee prepares to audit every bank.
- Minors Gain Right to Own Land in Port Angeles
Federal ruling confirms that young people can hold title to government land, ending a ten-week legal standoff.
- The Alderman Who Wanted the $600 Job
Leander Miller led the fight against John G. Scurry’s confirmation to the board of public works—because Miller wanted the seat himself.
- The Land Company’s Revenge in Tacoma
A report from Tacoma says city officials may be punished at confirmation because they crossed the Tacoma Land Company in a fight over the municipal light and water plant.
- Supreme Court Rules on Tideland Ownership
A landmark decision confirms that Indigenous nations hold title to tidelands within reservation boundaries.
- The Terminal War: How the Northern Pacific and Union Pacific Seized Seattle
Wireless reports confirm that two major railroads are conspiring to make Seattle their northern terminus, effectively cutting off Tacoma from transcontinental traffic.
- The Tragic End of Marie Story
A teacher of vocal music is murdered in her Seattle home by an obsessed suitor, sparking a city-wide conversation about stalking and accountability.
- Seattle's Fire Chief Vanished Before His Day in Court
A.B. Hunt disappeared after telling friends he was off to Tacoma for trial; the city removed him, named Alexander Allen Jr. chief, and left a mystery that only deepened when his father was summoned to prove his birth.
- The Fire Chief Who Ran for the Border
A telegram from British Columbia, a contested resignation, and a letter to the editor expose the perjury and naturalization fraud case that consumed Seattle City Hall.
- Federal Court Settles Tide Land Battles
A landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling confirms that state sovereignty over tide lands overrides private claims, dealing a major blow to littoral landholders in Seattle.
- The Hard-Fought Birth of Washington's Constitution
Exhausted delegates in Olympia spend a grueling day debating the future of school lands, property rights, and the framework for a new state government.
- The Northern Pacific Railroad Consolidates Its Grip on the Northwest
Railroad president Robert Harris confirms plans to lease the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company, signaling a massive consolidation of regional transit.
- Her Wages Bought the House at Fourth and Plum. The Sheriff’s Deed Was Canceled.
Elizabeth Burkett turned a $700 gift into a hotel and a home. When a Pierce County judgment against her husband threatened it, a Thurston County judge traced the property back to her own labor.
- Fire Commissioner Accused of Drunkenness and Selling His Vote
Mayor Phelps files formal charges against George T. Masel, alleging he sold his vote for chief, kept the chief in fear, and attended a West Seattle fire drunk.
- The $10,000 Bet That Built Seattle’s Front Street
Superintendent Thompson risks a fortune to beat the calendar, while a separate land dispute erupts over tide flats near Grant Street.
Also about this, in other words
- Supreme Court Refutes Prohibition Rumors
Governor Lister and the Chief Justice respond to public speculation regarding a pending decision on state-wide prohibition.
- The Mayor’s Sealed Envelope: A City Holds Its Breath
Mayor Humes returns the saloon redistricting ordinance to the City Council in a sealed envelope, sparking wild speculation about whether he has vetoed the measure or simply signed it into law.
- A Heated Dispute Over Election Integrity
A razor-thin bond election triggers a floor fight in the council chamber over the right to recount the ballots.
- The Bitter Election Dispute
After the municipal election, the city council held formal proceedings to address a contest regarding the validity of the treasurer’s election, ultimately upholding W. B. Mack.
- Pierce County Voters Reject Debt Validation
A tight election in Tacoma leaves the county's financial future in limbo after voters narrowly defeat a measure to ratify outstanding debt.
- The Speaker’s Gavel Clash
In the Territorial House, a subtle procedural error leads to a public confrontation over how legislation is truly passed.
- The 1895 Plan to Photograph Suspected Voters at the Polls
A Washington legislator proposed stationing photographers at polling places to snap 'doubtful voters' and preserve evidence against repeaters.
- The Price of Proving Up on Timber Land
A reader argues that the President’s veto of a relief bill makes it nearly impossible for average settlers to acquire government land without losing everything to travel costs and lawyers.