Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1889-04-25
AEWlsE0N 1eAE.O TEgRgTORX sRSDAY. ass9s
TIE FIRST CONVENTION.
Biographical Sketches Of the Men
who Framed a state Constitution.
il 1870.


tional Convention authorized by TN act
of the Legislature Of 1878 was in
session at Wala Walla the Union pub.
lished biographical sketches Of its men,
bers. As VIC have had several calls fer
the article, and as it is historic matter OF
interest to the many thousands who have
come to Washington since the Conven-
ton finished its labors we reproduce it
entire. 1t is, probably, a very noticeable
fact that the Convention Of 1878 was
composed Of only sixteen members. the
smallest body OF men ever elected to
frame constitution for great common
wealth. All the members of that con-
vention save these Hon. O. p. Lacy, Of
Wala Walla, Hon. A. S. Alternately, OF
Cowlitz, and Col. Charles II. Larabec, OF
Island county, are still living.
The President OF the Convention is
Hon. Alexander S. Abernathy, who is
about sixty five years Of age, Republican
in politics and lives at Oak Point Cow
itz county. He is universally known,
being an old pioneer Of the territory and
is highly. respected for his integrity,
honor and good Judgment. Following
different ayocations in life, such as mill
ing, numbering, commercial and mercan
tile pursuits, for many years, he brings
large and varied experience to the con-
veution, which aids materially the con.
stitutional work of this future Common
wealth. Mr.. Abernathy is not very
forceable talker, but when ho speaks it is
always to the point. and the convention
could not have made a better selection
for their presiding ofic r.
LYMAN d. ANDREWS
Is native of New York, and fitty year.
of age, is a delegate from King county
resides at Seattle and is republican
Came to the territory in 1860, and wa'
engaged for ten years as clerk Of the
U. S. District Court, Third Judicia
District, from 1864 to 1874 At thu
present timo is real estate owner and on,
of the Directors Of the Seattle & Wall,
| Walla railroad. Mr. Andrews il
thoroughly practical aud cleatheadsd
positive and generally correct. He i
one Of the balance wheels of the CONVEX
ton.
SYLVESTER N. WAIT,
Delegate from Columbia county, Is
! republican, aud fftysix years Of age
The thriving town Of Waitsburg wa
named after this gentleman, as he wa
the original proprietor Of the place. H
cane to the territery in 1862, and at th
present time resides at Dayton, where b
owns two-thirds in the WOODEN mill
Mr.. Wait is staunch Christian in ever
. respect, and is the champion in the cor
vention OF the temperance movcmen
He Is not - active in the business Of th
Convention a. some other Of the Del
gates but acts with judgement and Il
ways votes on The right side. He i Il
I originator Of all the bills introduced Il
the consideration Of the constitution q
the questions Of snon taxation Of churt
property" ''local option" aud voted
iayer Of ''woman auSrase." He is
good business man aud is thorough
posted. Mr.. Wait is good in regula.il
: the effervescence Of some Of the mo
I. volatile delegates.
GEORGE II. STEWARD,
Is an old resident Of the state Of Orego
but moved to this territory and settled
Vancouver ia 1868. He u 1 delexs
representing the counties Of Clal
Skamauia and Klickitat, republican
d politics and : lawyer Of good ability !;
= forty-six years Of agc and native
!, Indians, was Z member Of the Territcr
Legislature in 1869, and speaker Of /
y; House Of Representatives. Mr.. Stews
10 i not foremost in occupying tho Aocr
=. :. sperck making, but a. : worker i {
q celled By mono in the convention.
COL. CHARLES H. LARABEx,
Delegate from Island county. il nat
Of New York, fifty-ssven years Of
and citisen Of tho territory since l8(
is : democrat and lawyer Of ine abill
d VS. 10 The Constitutional Convention
q Wisconsin IN l847 has bsen Nom
Of Congress hss served ter Jears on
bench Of tho CiIcnit Court cf Wiseou
!. asd has : good war record. He
public spirited, foreibls ssd eeneI'
ssuies biz points; hs isths prosstyp,
Gen. Georgs s. Evans, u Stockton.
ifor.is. in ever fsspcet, even to penn
looks He i hopstal of tho future ,
= fsss of this Commopwsakh, and y u
his Parliamentary tasiu end persisl
force 10 acconplishinx the admission