Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1891-09-08
KANSAS GREAT SEAL.
A Description and History of Its Issue by
the Secretary of State.

states Office received from the DEPART
ment of state of California a large
handsomely prepared sheet containing
the great seal of the state, and around
it, in script, brief history of it's forma-
ton. One of these designs was sent to
each state of the union, coupled with
the requesJ that similar one be pre-
pared by each state and asked that
copy be forwarded to California.
Secretary Higgins took up the sug-
gestion from the Golden Gate and has
accordingly prepared a handsome his
tOrical sheet on the great seal of Kan
sas. 1t is modelled after the form
adopted by California.
In the middle of the sheet near the
top is large gilt wafer containing al
imprint Of the seal and surrounding it
is the following sketch prepared by
Judge F. j. Adams:
The great seal of the state of Kansas.
procured by the secretary of state as
required by the joint resolution APP
proved May %, 1861, is described in
said joint resolution as follows: The
east is represented by a rising sun, in
the right hand corner OF the SEAL to
the left of it commerce is represented
by river and steamboat: in the fore
ground agriculture is represented as
the basis of the future prosperity of the
state, by settlers cabin and man
blowing with pair of horses; beyond
this is train of OK wagons going west:
in the background is seen herd of
buffalo, retreating, pursued by two
Indians on horseback; around the top
is the motto: "Ad Astra per Aspera,"
and beneath a cluster of thirty-fOur
stars. The circle is surrounded by the
words: Great seal of the
state of Kansas, January 20, 1861"
Under the new constitution, the first
legislature of the state of Kansas met
at Topeka on Tuesday. March 26, 1861.
On Saturday morning following the
house and senate received the first mos
sage from Charles Robinson the first
governor.
In this message the governor called
attention to the requirement OF the con-
stitution about seal, and recommen-
ded the legislature to take necessary
steps to procure one. On the Sd of
April, the state senate, considering the
governors message, referred that part
which mentioned the great seal to the
committee on ways and means. Five
days afterward, on Monday, April Sth,
the following resolution was submitted
to the senate.
Resolved, That committee of
three be appointed on behalf of the SON.
ate to act with a like committee on the
part of the house, to draw and recon-
mend design for the great seal of the
state of Kansas"
This resolution was referred to the
committee on ways and means. SINH
lar resolutions were considered by the
house and the two committees got to
work.
But this did not produce seal very
soon. There were designs, designs, and
designs, notices and notices.. Schol-
ars suggested and western men insisted.
Mr.. Mcdowell of the state library
committee suggested desiga with a
landscape something like that after
ward adopted and the emphatic motto,
1--WE will" Mr.. Denman proposed to
change the motto to I'VE won't" Back
ward and forward the thing was ban
died about. The house journal for Fri
day, May II, records the fact that the
senate sent message on "house joint
resolution on state SEAL" saying they
had amended and desired concurrence.
This message was discussed next day
by the house which did not concur.
Then committee was appointed for
conference. The senate appointed a
conference committee on Monday, and
at the meeting of the two committees
the same day the matter was substan-
italy settled. OF that date, May Goth,
letter in the Conservative Heaven
WORTH contains the following passage:
'The vexed question of state seal
has at last received its quietus at the
hands of he conference committed The