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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1854 | 5 |
| 1859 | 2 |
| 1860 | 2 |
| 1861 | 3 |
| 1863 | 1 |
| 1871 | 1 |
| 1872 | 1 |
| 1887 | 1 |
| 1889 | 4 |
| 1891 | 22 |
| 1892 | 17 |
| 1893 | 4 |
| 1894 | 2 |
| 1895 | 11 |
| 1909 | 8 |
| 1910 | 1 |
| 1911 | 1 |
| 1925 | 2 |
88 stories matching differ
- The Political Fight Over Federal Jobs
A brewing rebellion among Democratic legislators in Olympia threatens the leadership of Col. Griggs over the spoils of federal patronage.
- The $25,000 Question: Where Olympia's New High School Should Stand
A proposed exchange for the Blinn block on Main Street would give the district room for a full-block school—but cost $12,000 to $15,000 more.
- The Pioneer Argument Against Prohibition
An 1854 speech by legislator Mr. Chenoweth argues that legal coercion is a poor substitute for individual morality in the fight against intemperance.
- The Scandalous Governor Who Never Was
A political fixer with a reputation for bribery and forgery was appointed Governor of Washington Territory, triggering a national outcry that exposed the deep corruption of the era's patronage system.
- Champagne for the Lobby, Despair for the Farmers
Washington's Senate kills the Helm-Morgan freight-rate bill after railroad agents work Olympia, and the state's press calls it a corporate victory over the people.
- The Taxpayer Who Couldn’t Sue the State
Washington’s Supreme Court dismisses the Agricultural College case, ruling that a private resident cannot halt state spending in equity—only the attorney general can.
- The President's Vision for the Republic
Franklin Pierce delivers an annual message outlining trade, territory, and the state of the American Union in 1853.
- Drafting the Constitution
As the constitutional convention meets in Olympia, delegates navigate high-stakes debates over statehood, judicial reform, and the volatile question of woman suffrage.
- A Duel of Words in Olympia
A simmering political feud between an old soldier and a newspaper editor erupts into a public challenge to settle scores in the streets.
- A.A. Denny Challenges Ambiguous Indigenous Voting Law
A territorial legislator objected to unclear rules for Indigenous enfranchisement, warning that local election judges would decide voter eligibility inconsistently.
- The Political Shifting of Mr. Snively
An editorial critique of a legislator known for avoiding tough votes and ducking public responsibility.
- The Ghost of the Kneeland Hotel Fire
After three years in jail, a petition for clemency for Angus McClain sparks local debate over reformation, justice, and the costs of a retrial.
- The Shadow Monopoly Over Washington Territory
Legislators in 1854 struggle to reconcile the existence of a British-owned agricultural monopoly with American settlement goals.
- 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.
- Independence Day in Olympia, 1861
Citizens celebrated the 85th anniversary of American independence with a picnic at a nearby lake, a patriotic reading by Elwood Evans, and a grand ball at Washington Hall.
- 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.
- The Unfilled Chair
The Washington Territorial Legislature pauses in solemn tribute following the sudden death of a pioneer lawmaker.
- The First Fight for Women’s Suffrage in Seattle
Before statehood, the 1887 Washington Territorial Legislature sparked a fierce, floor-level battle over the right of women to vote and hold office.
- The Senate Deadlock Breaks at Olympia
After weeks of gridlock, Washington's legislature moves to re-elect John B. Allen to the U.S. Senate as the opposition dissolves.
- The Fight Against the Rotten Boroughs
Legislative critics blast Washington State's failure to reapportion seats, arguing that rural 'cow counties' have kept power by ignoring population shifts.
- Carpenters Plan Regional Alliance to Standardize Labor Conditions
Everett locals join a push to unite carpenters across the Pacific Northwest and Inter-Mountain states against the 'trade must go' anti-union movement.
- The Midnight Roommate Mix-up
A night of drinking turns into a farcical brawl when two roommates accidentally wander into each other’s beds.
- The Great Legal Squabble of 1871
A simmering territorial dispute over the 'Big Wigs'—the lawyers and judges—debating exactly when a law becomes a law.
- The Only Door Open to Olympia's Hungry
On Christmas Eve 1891, the Tribune reminded readers that St. Peter's Hospital was the city's only refuge for hungry men—and asked for donations of food and clothing.
- Tacoma Tries to Halt the State Capitol
Tacoma's Chamber of Commerce calls Olympia's new capitol a waste in hard times, but lawmakers vote down a bill to stop the work.