The Price of a Capitol Seat
When the Territorial Legislature convened in Olympia, residents hiked rent to price gouge the lawmakers, sparking a legislative push to abandon the capital city.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The members of the House are located in the city for the session primarily at private residences, and many vigorous complaints have been made because of a disposition on the part of the people to charge exorbitant rates for room rent. The rates charged are quoted as an argument in favor of the removal of the capital, as the members start out every session disposed to be 'bled' at the town. However, among those inclined to gouge there are many who do the reasonable thing.
“The rates charged are quoted as an argument in favor of the removal of the capital, as the members start out every session disposed to be 'bled' at the town.”
The practice of 'price-gouging' public officials or temporary residents during high-demand sessions remains a touchy subject in Olympia. Just as in 1887, the tension between local property owners and visiting legislators highlights the perennial, heated conflict over housing affordability and the cost of living in Washington’s political hub.
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