History: September 11 was Wyoming’s First Election Day After Statehood

While today, September 11 has become a day to remember those died in the terror attack on New York in 2001, in Wyoming it has another significance, as that day was the first election held in the new state for state officials, rather than territorial officials. Wyoming achieved statehood on July 10, 1890. Its forty-fourth star was added to the flag on July 4, 1891.

This was from The Weston County Democrat, August 14, 1890 – Election Proclamation Gov. Warren has issued his proclamation for the first state election to take place Thursday, Sept. 11, for the election of state, county and precinct officers, as follows: a governor, a secretary of slate, a state auditor, a state treasurer, a superintendent of public instruction, Three justices of the supreme court, A representative to the fifty-first congress, A representative to the fifty second congress. A judge of the district court of each judicial district defined by the constitution, Sixteen members of state senate apportioned among the several counties as provided in the constitution. Thirty-three members of the house of representatives apportionedamong the several counties as provided in the constitution, and all such county and precinct officers as are provided for by law.

The said election to be conducted in all respects in the same manner as is provided for elections by the laws of the territory of Wyoming at in force at the time of the admission of the state and as is further provided by Article XXI of the constitution.

The Sheridan Post, October 23, 1890 gave a rundown of the elected officials and the number of votes for each. – The state returning board completed its labors on the 11th. The. majorities for state officers are as follows: Governor, Francis E. Warren – 1,720; Congress: Congress, (51st.) C.D. Clark – 2,507; Congress (52nd ) C.D. Clark- 2,539; Sec. of State, Amos W. Barber – 1,744; Auditor, Charles W. Burdick –1,445; Treasurer, Otto Gramm – 2,034; Superintendent of Public Instruction -S. T. Farwell 2,080; The political complexion of the legislature is as follows: Senate republicans 14 , democrats 2; house republicans 27, democrats 6.

A few months later, in November, another election was held, and many of those named were elected to other offices. Warren became a senator, resigning his governorship. Amos Barber became governor.

The Daily Boomerang, September 15, 1890

This story talked about the new Wyoming senators taking the oath of office in Washington, DC.

The Newcastle News, December 19, 1890 – Washington, Dec. 1 – There was an unusual large attendance of senators at the opening of today’s session. After opening, the credentials of two senators elect from Wyoming were presented and Senators Joseph Carey and Francis Warren took the oath of office. It resolutions were adopted fixing the daily hour of meeting a 2 o’clock and providing for a committee for informing the president and house that tho senate was in session and ready to proceed to business. After a short recess the president’s message was read. When it was finished, the senate at 2:45 adjourned until tomorrow.

Amos Barber had his defenders, like this news brief in Bill Barlow’s Budget, Douglas, January 14, 1891.

Of course, there was a little mud-slinging.

The Wyoming Commonwealth, August 24, 1890 – Bad Taste. The bad taste displayed by Mr. Baxter in making personal charges against his opponent, Gov. Warren, is noticeable feature of this gentleman’s public utterances. It is strange that all small men make this mistake; in fact, it is proof of smallness and is so understood by the masses. You cannot build yourself up by tearing other men down is maxim as old as the hills, and it applies to G. W. Baxter with full force. The charges amount to nothing, and we only speak of them because of the folly of candidate who presumes to take the attitude of common scandal monger for the purpose of benefiting himself.

Had Gov. Baxter’s friends alone been guilty of this charge it would have been better for him, bat as it is he has placed himself in the position of low-down political trickster who is even beneath contempt. man with so small mind proves him- self unworthy the notice of men and women of correct judgment. We do not care to defend Gov. Warren, for the reason that he needs no defense. What F. E. Warren has done for Wyoming and its people in the past entitles him to the respect and confidence of every man and woman in the state. What Gov. Baxter has done must be placed beside the record of Warren, and thus will the people judge the two men.

The Rawlins Republican, September 12, 1890

The Wyoming Commonwealth, September 7, 1890

So, on September 11, 1890, Wyoming took another step in the transition from a territory to a state in the United States of American.