First Nebraska Territorial Legislature
The First Nebraska Territorial Legislature first met in
Issues
The first legislature, along with several subsequent gatherings, drew criticism for a perceived lack of representation of the population south of the Platte River.[2] Legislators from south of the Platte wore red blankets over their shoulders in the first session to indicate their hostility towards the northern legislators.[3]
Although the then current Omaha capitol building, built in 1857-58, was apparently sturdy enough to house legislative sessions for several years and was well located in relation to Nebraska's 1867 population, it was still north of the Platte. Forces from the south launched a major verbal and legal initiative to move the seat of government to their part of the state.
Members
Few of the members had actually spent more than a night in the districts they represented, and most ferried to Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the end of each day for rest. The new territorial governor, Mark W. Izard, was successful at persuading members to adopt Iowa's legislative rules.[7] Omaha members bribed other legislators to keep the capitol in Omaha by offering them lots in their new city. This land, which now wraps around the north and west ends of Downtown Omaha, was called Scriptown.[8]
Although not a member, Reverend William D. Gage, a Methodist minister, served as the chaplain, and later the legislature returned the favor by naming Gage County after him.[9] Joseph W. Paddock, who had immigrated to the territory from New York in 1854, served as the chief clerk.[10]
Name | Dates of service | Occupation | Representing | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
William Byers | ||||
Alfred D. Jones | ||||
Samuel Maxwell | ||||
Origen D. Richardson | ||||
Robert W. Furnas
|
1856- | |||
Turner M. Marquette
|
1857–1859 | |||
Stephen Friel | ||||
Lafayette Nuckolls | ||||
Samuel Hitt Elbert | 1860- | |||
Henry W. DePuy | ||||
William Byers | ||||
George L. Miller | 1855-1856 |
See also
References
- ^ Lawrence H. Larsen, Barbara J. Cottrell, Harl A. Dalstrom (2007) Upstream Metropolis: An Urban Biography of Omaha and Council Bluffs. University of Nebraska Press. p 47.
- Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 12/14/08.
- ^ Lawrence H. Larsen, Barbara J. Cottrell, Harl A. Dalstrom (2007) Upstream Metropolis: An Urban Biography of Omaha and Council Bluffs. University of Nebraska Press. p 47.
- ^ Lawrence H. Larsen, Barbara J. Cottrell, Harl A. Dalstrom (2007) Upstream Metropolis: An Urban Biography of Omaha and Council Bluffs. University of Nebraska Press. p 47.
- ^ "Nebraska University"[usurped], Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 12/14/08.
- ^ Eugene H. Berwanger. (2002) The Frontier Against Slavery: Western Anti-Negro Prejudice and the Slavery Extension Controversy. University of Illinois Press, 2002. p. 120.
- ^ Lawrence H. Larsen, Barbara J. Cottrell, Harl A. Dalstrom (2007) Upstream Metropolis: An Urban Biography of Omaha and Council Bluffs. University of Nebraska Press. p 47.
- ^ Andreas, A.T. (1882) "Douglas County", History of the State of Nebraska. Chicago, IL: Western Historical Company. p. 841.
- ^ "Early Nebraska sermons", Nebraska State Genealogical Society. Retrieved 12/14/08.
- ^ "Paddock, Major Joseph W." in Albert Watkins, History of Nebraska: From the Earliest Explorations to the Present Time with Portraits, Maps, and Tables, Vol. III (Lincoln: Western Publishing and Engraving Company, 1913), 506.