Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-07
800

- cause the men giving the name
E4E3Hi thought its suggestion would
S@ arouse the hatred of copper
head democrats, who were moving the
seat Of government from Omaha in 1867 and
might result in slight advantage in the
Legislative fight and possibly prevent re-
moval.
This is the view of an historic event I'm
the states chronicle Of events, advanced
by Albert Watkins Of Lincoln, editor of
"The History of Nebraska" who has made
careful research IN the early legislative
records and who has corroborated his story
by views of living men. prominent in early
days.
MIR. Watkins believes the removal of the
capitol from Omaha was purely for pur-
poses of real estate speculation and he is
certain the naming of the city was a mere
incident and not a token of respect and
reverence for the name OF the president.
]. N. II. Patrick of Omaha, recently de-
ceased, was responsible for the name. He
suggested 1t while the bill providing for
removal was pending third reading in the
senate and did 1t In the hope that Otoe
county democrats, who desplsed Abraham
' 'ncoln as much as the republicans of the
loved him.. would rebel at the title
md halt the progress of the bill long
enough to prevent its passage by some
other means. The name was accepted with
acclaim and the bill went through the
house and senate as II on creased ways.
1t was quickly signed and the work Of ex-
plottation in Lancaster county was begun
shortly after.
Legislature procedure was fully as lively
In the beginning of Nebraska's history as
It Is sometimes at present. Members played
for time In much the same way, used
devious methods to accomplish their ends
and often played for high stakes. Mr..
Watkins Is confident that the removal OF
the capital city from Omaha was engineered
by members from Otoe county with a view
of reaping a rich reward in the sale OF
real estate that would follow. How 1t was
accomplished will make one of the inter-
esting chapters in the narrative he Is
now preparing.
The capitol city was for two days al
Bellevue. where ]. Sterling Morton first
resided. Governor Burt. after whom Bur
county was named. on arriving from South
Carolina picked out Bellevue az the sea-
OF government. He was there two day.
when he died. and when his successor
Thomas b. Cunning of Iowa. was named
influences from Omaha were instruments
in his selection OF the then, as well a
now. metropolis OF the state for the sea
OF government. Tn location remained II
Omaha from the latter SOS to 1867. Mr.
Morton was so disguised that he move'
from Bellevue to Nebraska City and re
tanned his home there until he died.
Otoe county interests were never salts
fled after their defeat and repeated at
tempts were made to move the capitol
Once an effort was made to change tn
location to q point northeast OF Lincol
and to call Il Douglas City. n failed
other attempts were without result unit
finally the Otoe people mustered enoug
strength in 1857 TO- win. They thought the
b. removing the site to a point away fror
Omaha and also a short distance from thei
own county seat. that Nebraska City woul
be the chief city OF Nebraska and woul
continue to email the supply depot 70
fhe interior settlement and especially G
the newly created
The removal bill was introduced in bot
house and ssnats-in the house by M
Grove and In the senate by William 4
Presson, who lived In the tenth distric
which was Richardson county. GovernC
Butler had called a special session for Ma
i6, 1851, especially to take up this matte
He was an ardent removalist.
Mr.. Presson introduced his bill June
It passed the senate June IL; passed III
house June Is; and was signed by the chi'
executive June a.
While the strife was on the anti-remo'
allsts exercised every art known to III
legislators for delay. but the majority wa
against them. as the record reveals detei
mined and certain action. When the meal
ure was about 20 come up for third readin
IN the senate "Nels'' Patrick moved this
the name Of the new capital. which In n
bill was designated Capitol City
changed TO Lincoln" He had los.
every attempt TO stay the removalists al
was fighting for every possible advansag
however small. A delay OF a day in d.
batting the name. he thought, might Civ
opportunity TO devise some scheme wheret
the votes on location might be changed.
To Mr.. Patrick's surprise the 'coppeI
heads from Otoe county, who despise
Lincoln as a man Inc had supported the
home papers In abuse OF him. received a
new a much more euphonious name wit
willingness. The dilatory motion prove
no delay at all. The only stop Il provide
was that taken 70 pass It by acciamatiol
Ths voas n the senate 81 council uhia