State Legislature Grants Cities Local Control
A landmark bill passes in Olympia, allowing smaller towns to incorporate and manage their own debts, fueling the boom of the 1890s.
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.
At the afternoon session of the house, the consideration of the town incorporation bill was continued. Evans offered an amendment that nothing in the act should be construed to prevent the reincorporation of towns or incorporation of their debts by such towns. Gandy offered an amendment to the amendment that no town shall be reincorporated which is within one mile of a city of 10,000 inhabitants, unless separated therefrom by a river or other natural dividing lines. Gandy’s amendment was rejected 10 to 39. The question then came on Evans’ amendment. It was carried 34 to 17. Its effect, if it be valid, would be to validate all obligations incurred by towns disallowed by supreme court decision. Several other minor amendments were adopted during the session and the bill finally passed, 58 ayes, 8 noes.
“Its effect, if it be valid, would be to validate all obligations incurred by towns disallowed by supreme court decision.”
This legislation was the legal bedrock for the rapid municipal development of Fairhaven, allowing it to function as an independent city before its eventual consolidation. It echoes modern debates about municipal autonomy and the capacity of local governments to manage their own financial destinies against the wishes of state oversight.
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