Washington GOP pays court costs for legal challenge to gubernatorial election News
Washington GOP pays court costs for legal challenge to gubernatorial election

[JURIST] In the wake of a June 6 state court ruling [JURIST report] that upheld the November 2004 election of Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire [official website], the Washington State Republican Party [official website] Friday paid the state Democrats $15,000 to cover court costs relating to legal challenges. Democrats had requested $48,000 and said they spent nearly $3.5 million in legal fees, but the two sides agreed on the $15,000 sum. Gregorie won the election by 129 votes over Republican Dino Rossi [campaign profile]. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.