Territorial Timeline

Governor Watson C. Squire's Justification for Statehood

In 1884, Territorial Governor Squire put forward five reasons why Washington should be granted Statehood.

In his argument for Statehood for Washington Governor Squire noted: (1) the people of Washington are enterprising and loyal; (2) Washington is the only U.S. land on the Pacific coast which is not a state; (3) the interests of the United States are confronted in Washington by the powerful British to the north; (4) Washington has great natural wealth and the population sufficient to qualify for Statehood; (5) the people of Washington would benefit greatly.