The Unfilled Chair
The Washington Territorial Legislature pauses in solemn tribute following the sudden death of a pioneer lawmaker.
Message from the House informing the Council of the death of Jehu Scudder, Esq., a member from Pacific County. Mr. Miles, from Lewis, addressed the Council as follows: 'With faithful feelings I rise to make a few remarks in regard to the message. It is announced to us that Jehu Scudder, Esq., a member elect in the first House of Representatives of Washington Territory, is dead. He was soon to enter upon the discharge of the duties of the office for which he was selected. As a member of the great trust reposed in him by his neighbors, he was elected unanimously by the people of his county to a seat in the lower house. Every voice, irrespective of parties or differences of opinion, was cast for him. Jehu Scudder had a family—he leaves a wife to deplore his death. The people of Lewis had confidence in Jehu Scudder, and wanted him here, and by a mere circumstance, I am in this seat today instead of him. I feel it therefore as a solemn admonition to me.'
“The people of Lewis had confidence in Jehu Scudder, and wanted him here, and by a mere circumstance, I am in this seat today instead of him.”
The death of a representative-elect creates a unique void in a nascent legislative body. This 1854 account captures the gravity of early Territorial politics, where personal reputation among one's neighbors—regardless of party—was the sole currency for public office.
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