The Territorial Legislature Deadlocked
In early December 1862, Olympia's legislative session began in disarray, with power struggles over credentials and procedural maneuvering stalling the body's organization.
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.
In the House, the week has been consumed in adjournments, to allow several members out of the mountains to make their appearance and take part in the organization. The war for Speakership, outside the House, in the meantime has gone on, and been waged with a desperation which must have appeared truly amusing to a disinterested spectator. Dame Fortune has been most unfeelingly cruel in her coquetry with the various aspirants for that very distinguished honor. No sooner has an individual emerged from the mists of doubt and uncertainty, and places his foot upon the first step to ascend to the Speaker's desk, than he is pulled back and another thrust in his place. The pot is boiling. The elements are disturbed. Each man for himself and the devil for us all.
“The pot is boiling. The elements are disturbed. Each man for himself and the devil for us all.”
Legislative brinkmanship and procedural delay are age-old tactics in Washington politics. The 'war for Speakership' describes a perennial struggle for power that continues to define the start of sessions in Olympia today.
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