Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-06-03

over the organic act attracted the eye OF
the whole country to the two territories
whose interests were involved Before that
contest had terminated an immense immi-
grafton had poured into Nebraska.
Besides, speculations in western lands
had raised so many men from Indulgence TO
sudden wealth that the public imagination
had become infamed and those, who, in
that early day, sought Nebraska, came full
of eagerness to seize upon some available
point where a city should suddenly spring
up, by the immense value of its lots en-
riching their owners with unlimited wealth.
The history of the settlement of Nebraska
] is the reverse Of that of all other terri
tories. 1t was not a gradual filling up
! TIE ranks of civilization did not advance
in succession; the first the hunter, then the
trader, then the farmer, then the merchant,
| and last, the capitalist and Spectator. All
poured in together-shares Of the tolls and
exposure of the new settlements and rivals
in the one contest for wealth Instead of
| the Boones and the Leatherstockings who
| had broken the brush in the pathway Of
/ the empire came side by side the stout
| farmer and the keen-eyed Spectator; the
| one as intent as the other upon town sites
and choice farms-pioneers of the new
! civilization.
Every point along the Missouri at which
! the widest imagination could see any ad-
vantages for town was taken up The
| governor, under the organic act, appoints
and directs at what place the first legis-
| lature should hold its session. Each town
site sought by every possible means to
secure to itself the advantage Of this pro-
vision. Every approach to the officer
charged with this power was filled up.
He was piled, pressed, begged, assailed,
threatened. Those very vexations which
had destroyed one governors life were null
tiplied tenfold with the acting governor.
Prompt Action is Taken.
! But Governor Cunning acted promptly.
On October q, 1854 he issued his proclama-
ton for the taking of the census; and
on November q following, another for an
election, with instructions for holding and
conducting the same. The election was
held, directed. on December r.
Omaha City. in Douglas county, was
designated as the place at which the first
session Of the legislature should be held.
| This selection excited opposition and re-
sentiment, just as any other would have
done.
when the legislature convened, multi
tudes Of men, disappointed in their hope
of securing the first session at their own
townsite, angry and equal to any act of
desperate revenge, filled the streets and
houses of Omaha City. They arrayed
themselves in the red blankets of the saw
age, armed themselves with revolvers and
knives and loudly proclaimed their design
of breaking up the assembly"
Even so does it appear Omaha's battle
with antagonists from the outside began
for reason never more lucidly stated
disappointed in securing the first session
for their own townsite." Twas ever thus
or there would be no jealousy, no selfish
ness, no competition in the world. Those
who lost the prize were sore. The sue
ceeding words in the history" explain
the caliber of Governor Cunning.
First Session of Legislature.
"At the hour for convening of the houses
their halls were filled with these excited
and desperate men. But before they were
aware of it. resolutions assembling the
two houses in Joint session were passed
and the moment they had met the gov
ernor entered, and, without prologue, de
livered to each member elected the GER
tiicate of his election, pronounced his mes
sage, declared the assembly organized, di
rected each house to withdraw to complet'
it's organization and vanquished in hal
an hour every design either upon himself
OF the legislature.
1T was a time when anything less thai
the executive energy Of Andrew Jackson
would have involved the governor in in
extricable difficulties and the territory II
anarchy.
I'm less than one week the exciting ques
lions were all disposed Of; Omaha wa
made the permanent seat of government
and the territory saved from the sad scenes
which Kansas has witnessed, TO a cours
Of unexampled peace and prosperity"
Some Account of Territory.
Chapter II is devoted TO the manner anC
theory of the territorial government ant
banking laws, but there are digressions
For instance:
THE various religious denominations ar
taking early and strong hold in Nebraska
The Congregationalists have planted them
selves in Omaha, Fontenelle and othe
places. The Old School Preshyterians ar
strong in the south part of the territory
The Campbellites are also strong in tina
section. The Methodists, with their or