Boosterism and the Quest for the Capital
North Yakima’s editors aggressively frame their growing city as the inevitable future capital of Washington.
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.
Ellensburgh, through its papers, has been inclined to poke fun at us for the prominence we are everywhere gaining. This is the only way in which our growing popularity can be met, but it will prove to be totally ineffective and in the end it will be seen that time has passed us beyond the Ellensburgh boom, and has settled facts in favor of North Yakima that will rest with us. However much other points may regret this, it is a fact that will be potent on election day in October, and while it may be that we will only hold a place in the three to be led as highest, it certainly means that in the end this will be the capital. As a matter of fact the hearty way in which our people have undertaken the matter, makes it entirely possible that we shall have on this occasion a clear majority and so be made the capital at once.
“In the end it will be seen that time has passed us beyond the Ellensburgh boom.”
The fierce rivalry between North Yakima and Ellensburg for the title of state capital showcases the intense, competitive civic boosterism that defined Washington towns during the statehood transition in 1889.
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