The Fight for Washington’s State Constitution
As Washington teetered on the brink of statehood in 1889, local committees scrambled to organize the conventions that would draft the framework for the future state’s government.
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.
Pursuant to the instructions of the territorial committee, a Democratic County convention is hereby called to meet at the court house in the city of Seattle on Thursday, May 9, 1889, to nominate Democratic candidates for delegates to the constitutional convention. Primary meetings for the election of delegates to said county convention will be held at the court house in the city of Seattle, and in the country precincts, to choose the best men regardless of party affiliations. It is earnestly hoped that every voter who has an interest in a fair and honest representation of popular rights will join in our endeavor to present to the people candidates whose character and standing will guarantee their endorsement at this coming election.
“The people will take the election of the constitutional convention into their own hands and will choose the best men regardless of party affiliations.”
In May 1889, Seattle was mobilizing for the constitutional convention that would officially usher Washington into statehood later that year. This frantic organization reflects the same civic energy seen in today’s debates over city charter amendments, proving that the struggle to define the rules of our local government has always been central to Washington’s identity.
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