Around 1896, Republicans living in Washington state started forming Republican Clubs. The Republicans of the Second Ward (roughly where the southern Central Area and northern Mount Baker neighborhoods are today) formed a club in January 1896, with 154 individuals signing the roster shown here. This ledger includes a preamble on the first page: "For the purposes of furthering the interests of the Republican party in the Second Ward of the City of Seattle and in the interest of good government and for best interests of our city, county, State and all citizens there of do we the undersigned form this Club and agree to abide by the pledge to which our names are inscribed." The ledger also includes minutes from January 23, 1986, through March 21, 1896. The minutes shown here, written January 30, 1896, lay out the By-Laws of the club.