The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-09
The Kansas Free State Legisla-
tors Gather at Lawrence.
Six Survivors of That Famous
Body Hold Reunion.
DAYS HAVE GONE
Told Of the Achievements of the
Members "NOt Present"
Gathered i'm the Old Herald of
Freedom Building.

| Lawrence, Kan. Dec. 9.-The joint
session of the first free state legisla-
ture of 1857 was opened here Satur-
| day with a good-natured dispute as
| to who should be the presiding officer.
Unlike other legislatures this dispute
was not rivalry for the craftsmanship
| but contention between Colonel o.
E. Learnard and Ex-Governor E. N.
Morrill, that the other should handle
the gavel.
Il don't claim any rights by mem
bership in the upper house." said Col
onel Learnard, "even If the secretary
of our council did say I'm instructed
by my honorable council to say to the
lower house. etc.
Mr.. Morrill, then took the chair
The meeting was held in a recep-
ton room of the Fairfax hotel. In
addition to the six members of the
first free state legislature there were
quite a number of Lawrence persons
present. The proceedings consisted of
calling the roll of the members of the
legislature of ST in order that those
present might tell some thing of them.
George w. Martin, secretary of the
historical society, acted as secretary
of the session.
1.-The joint session is ready for bust
ness said Governor Morrill,. what
is your pleasure? 1 would suggest that
Colonel Learnard speak first"
Colonel Learnard is the only men,
Der of the old council now alive.
There is one good thing about
the council" he said, land that is,
SO far as it is concerned, it is perfect
ly harmonious. I am by unanimous
vote authorized to speak for it. I
did not know of the call for that ses-
sion until December 5, 1857, when I
arrived in Westport, having been east.
had been to Boston and was re-
sp1endant with new and gay clothes.
THAT session was most important.
In looking over the results some time
ago. 1 find that four-ffths Of the
statutes were for charters for town.
sites and ferry boats and one-half of
the remainder were for divorces. You
there were a lot of fell |
lows in the early years who had come
west. leaving their wives, who wanted |
to be divorced, while scores of others |
were asking for exemption from |
creditors back East.
"Since then / have not shown much |
taste for politics and my constituents
have apparently shared my views"
AS the roll was called something
was said about each member who had
gone.
H Miles Moore spoke at length. He
.old of having owned slaves at
Leavenworth, but because of the
adopted by the pro-slavery
party, he had set his slaves free and
had become an ardent abolitionist. He
|
IF Leavenworth. he said. in 1854. On
)ne occasion because of his abolition
sentiments, he was arrested. the pro-
slavery men going so far as to place
rope around his neck. He paid
splendid tribute to Uncle" George
cellar when his name was called
lpon the roll.
DR.. Andrew I. Still spoke earnest
v, especially when he referred to
lavery. He said he was with John
a
,eated most of his remarks of Friday
light at Topeka.
Samuel ]. Stewart told of the trials
f the early settlers in the Neosho val
ey.
I'm inclined to disagree with
Brother Moore" he said. when he
aid that there was no place where
he danger was so great to the early r
bolitionists as in and about Leaven- /
yorth Our experience was that the g
urther one got away from the river :
he greater was the danger, because +
clip was further away 9
Senator Stewart advised the young f
r generation to stand for what was '
ne ST legislature to the fact that he =
ad refused to sell whisky in the
tore in which he was employed, al
nough whisky drinking at that time
-as quite common.
The legislators were given an in
,rmal luncheon, after which they
rere driven to the university and Has
ell institute. A dinner was served
Or them at night.
Need Convict Bankers Testimony. I
Leavenworth, Kan, Dec. 9.-The s
ficials Of the federal penitentiary re- I
eived a writ from the United States
ourt from South Dakota Saturday
vening, to take John Erickson, ex-
resident of a national bank in Menot, t
D., to that place to testify in court. F
bank suit is to be tried this week, d
nd Frank Lemon, deputy warden, v
arted with Erickson Sunday. Erick- E
IN is serving a fve-year term for b
olatfng the national banking laws. b
e was brought here two years ago. O
Kansas Editors to Meet I'm April W
Kan, Dec. 9.-The execu-
We committee of the State Editorial
sociation met in Elnporia Saturday
Id decided to hold the annual conven-
On of the association in Emporia April "
to 21. The Business Mems association +
Ill help boom the convention. The .
EN- ers of the executive committee d
e Charles Stitch Of the Alma Enter j
Use, J. E. Junkin of the Sterling 8