Puyallup's Bid to Steal the State Capitol From Olympia
A Pierce County representative introduced a bill to repeal the $500,000 capitol-building appropriation and cancel the Olympia basement contract—reportedly to keep Puyallup's own hopes alive.
Olympia, Feb. 18.—Representative Taylor, of Pierce, presented a bill in the House today asking for repeal of that action in the capital building law appropriating $500,000 from funds secured from the sale of public lands for capitol building purposes for the erection of the new capitol building at Olympia, and for payment of the contract to Moffitt Bros. for construction of the basement. The bill was referred to the building and grounds committee, of which DeShley, of Olympia, is chairman. It is not believed that it can pass, as friends of the administration will work for the continuance of the contract. The governor having urged its completion under the system outlined by him in his message at the opening of the legislature. It is said the bill was introduced in the interest of Puyallup, which desires to have the capitol located there. Mr. Taylor represents that district.
“It is said the bill was introduced in the interest of Puyallup, which desires to have the capitol located there.”
The fight over where to put the state capitol was a fight over money, land and bragging rights—Puyallup wanted the prize that Olympia already held. Civic rivalries over public buildings and their budgets are still recognizable in regional politics, though the stakes now tend to be stadiums, campuses and transit hubs.
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