The 30th of May, 1899, forty-five years from the day President Pierce signed the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, Kansas found that she was gathering and not scattering abroad, and had gained, withal, that wisdom which is better than fine gold.

480. Text-Book Commission.-The Legislature of 1897 passed the Text-Book Law in the interest of uniformity and economy. The commission was at first temporary, and

The Legisla

took cognizance of a limited range of books. ture of 1899 extended the life and powers of the commission; gave into its charge the selection of books, charts, maps, a history of Kansas, globes, and a primer, for use in the schools. The original commission consisted of Hon. Wm. Stryker, State Superintendent, ex-officio Chairman; W. J. Hurd, Holton, Secretary, and seven members. Two of the original members, Messrs. D. O. McCray and N. McDonald, retired, and the commission now consists of Hon. Frank Nelson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chairman ex-officio, and W. J. Hurd, Holton; S. W. Black, Pittsburg; A. V. Jewett, Abilene; S. J. Hale, La Crosse; Professor Frank Smith, Lawrence; Professor J. W. Spindler, Winfield; Professor S. M. Nees, Independence, and A. H. Lupfer, Larned. The Text-Book Law has, since its enactment, served its purpose in securing uniformity of instruction, and relieving the people of a considerable pecuniary burden.

481. A Kansas Prison.- The Legislature of 1899 granted a large appropriation to purchase for the State Penitentiary a plant for the manufacture of binding twine, being the second penitentiary in the country to enter upon this manufacture. The Kansas penitentiary was established

in the earliest days of the government and grew with the growing proportions of the State. The officer who established the system of government and discipline of the prison and who longest continued in its direction was Major Henry Hopkins. The successors of Major Hopkins built upon the foundations he laid, with such faithfulness, that the prison has known few escapes, no revolts, and few complaints concerning the firm but humane treatment of the prisoners. The prison was one of the first to dispense generally with the hideous and humiliating uniform of stripes, so that the modern prison has assumed more the appearance of a large and well-ordered manufactory.

SUMMARY.

1. A special session of the Legislature was called for railroad legislation and other purposes.

2. W. E. Stanley inaugurated Governor.

3. A tax levy was provided, sufficient to complete the State House and build an insane asylum.

4. Provisions were made for the establishment and maintenance of public traveling libraries.

5. The funeral of Lieutenant Alford occurred at Lawrence, April 22, 1899.

6. Colonel Thomas Moonlight died at Leavenworth, February 7,

1899.

7. The powers of the Text-Book Commission were extended and enlarged.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

A CHAPTER ON CAPITOLS.

482. Kansas Capitols. A history of the various edifices which have been used from time to time for Kansas capitols, Territorial and State, would serve as a thread on which to string a political history of Kansas, and, moreover, a sketch of the material progress of the country.

483. Fort Leavenworth.-The first capital of Kansas, the first executive office, at least, was at Fort Leavenworth. Here, in obedience to his instructions from Washington, came Andrew H. Reeder, first Governor of Kansas Territory. He was assigned quarters in a brick building on the west side of the parade. The executive office was in a stone building belonging to the quartermaster's department. It was furnished with republican simplicity. Here the Governor, who had taken the oath of office in Washington, administered the obligation to his associates in the Territorial Government as they, one after another, arrived. Here he issued commissions and proclamations, and on one occasion held court as a justice of the peace.

484. Shawnee Mission.-After fifty days' experience at Fort Leavenworth, Governor Reeder, on the 24th of November, 1854, removed the seat of Government to the Shawnee Manual Labor School, commonly called the Shawnee Mission, located one mile from the Missouri line, two and one-half miles from Westport, Mo., and seven miles from Kansas City.

The mission had been established in 1830, and had continued as it was begun under the Superintendency of Reverend Thomas Johnson. It fell, at the division of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the Methodist Church, South. Somewhat reluctantly, Reverend Mr. Johnson and his wife received as guests the Governor and the larger number of the Territorial officers, and saw the mission appropriated in part as the capitol of Kansas. The winter of 1854-55 passed quietly at the Mission. The Governor and his associates doubtless watching with interest the operations of the Mission, which was then at the height of its prosperity, with between 200 and 300 Indian boys and girls in attendance, who studied their books, and, besides, labored on the fine farm of 1,900 acres, and worked in the shops and the mill. The Territorial officers boarded with the Mission family, as later on did many of the members and officers of the Legislature.

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485. Pawnee.-April 14, 1855, Governor Reeder convened the Territorial Legislature at Pawnee, a "laid-out town" near Fort Riley. There was little at Pawnee, except a stone house built on the spur of the moment," the ruins of which are still visible. Yet that stone house was the first "capitol building" of Kansas. The Legislature refused to remain at Pawnee, and re-located at Shawnee Mission. Pawnee came to immediate grief. The site was declared to be within the military reservation of Fort Riley, and the settlers were removed by the soldiers.

486. Shawnee Mission.-The Legislature, ensconced at the Shawnee Mission, proceeded to perform the acts which acquired for it the title, with the Free State people, of the "Bogus Legislature."

Governor Reeder remained with it officially but a short time, only four days, at the end of which he informed the body that he had been removed. He remained a short time longer as a spectator.

The schoolroom and the chapel of the Mission became the halls of the Territorial Council and House of Representatives. To Shawnee Mission came the second Territorial Governor of Kansas, Wilson Shannon, and the executive office was maintained there until the spring of 1856.

The buildings of the Shawnee Mission yet remain much in outward shape as in their days of education and legislation, but in all else the scene has changed. There is naught of stir or movement now. A beautiful spring wells up near the highway, and runs a little stream across the yard of one of the buildings, where passing travelers stop and drink, but the place is lost to all its ancient uses, and the stillness all about is as profound as that which rests on the little wall-enclosed cemetery, which crowns the slope near by. The scene of a part of the "Kansas struggle" may be reached by an easy walk from Rosedale.

487. Lecompton Chosen.- A joint session of the Legislature in August, 1855, located the permanent capital at Lecompton. The successful contestant did not secure the prize without a struggle. Not only did Leavenworth and Lawrence enter the arena, but St. Bernard, Tecumseh, Whitehead, Kickapoo and One Hundred and Ten.

The second Territorial Legislature which assembled at Lecompton, January 12th, met in a frame house, which had been built for its occupancy by Mr. William Nace. The national administration, however, was determined on Lecompton as a capital, and Congress made a liberal appro