The Rowdy Election of the Territorial Printer
Washington's early legislature devolves into political gridlock as members brawl over the powerful and lucrative appointment of the official Territorial Printer.
The story, cleaned up
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The House and Council met in joint convention for the purpose of electing a public printer. A protest was presented against the action of the Convention, arguing it had no legal right to proceed given conflicting instructions from the Secretary of the Territory regarding the expenditure of federal funds. The protest was ruled out of order, leading to a heated scene where members appealed to the chair and motions to adjourn were repeatedly voted down. Following twenty ballots characterized by intense lobbying and shifts in allegiance, Mr. Barnes finally secured a majority of votes and was declared elected Territorial Printer for the next 12 months.
“The President declared as Mr. Barnes had received a majority of all the votes cast he was duly elected Territorial Printer for the next 12 months.”
This chaotic scramble for a lucrative contract illustrates the high-stakes patronage politics of the territorial era, where the government printer held immense influence. Today, legislative transparency rules and public bidding processes serve to curb such raw displays of cronyism, though the 'grind' of committee work remains a staple of Olympia politics.
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