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    Nebraska has had four capitol buildings, two of which were constructed during the territorial period and two during the state period, and now a fifth has been completed. The first territorial capitol building was constructed in Omaha by Iowa men and by Iowa money. This building was a two-story, brick structure and was "33x75 feet and cost about $3,000." This building was a temporary makeshift, soon superseded by a more elegant and commodious structure also located at Omaha and erected in part by an appropriation of $50,000 from the federal government and in part by a municipal grant of $60,000 from the city of Omaha.

    Throughout the territorial period there was constant agitation for the removal of the seat of government from Omaha to some other point in the territory. This purpose was finally effected in the passage of the removal act approved June 14, 1867. The new capitol city was to be named Lincoln. On July 29, 1867, the new site was chosen. October 10, 1867, plans for the new capitol building were submitted and those of John Morris of Chicago adopted. The cost of this, the first capitol building, was $75,817.59, which amount was derived from the sale of lots in Lincoln. This building was so poorly constructed that it began to show signs of decay as early as 1871. A severe storm in May, 1873, so damaged the capitol that it was necessary to expend $5,897 in repairs.

    The legislature of 1879 appropriated $75,000 to begin the construction of the west wing of a new capitol building. The architect was Wm. H. Wilcox and the ccontractor (sic) W. H. B. Stout. The total cost for building and furnishing the west wing was $83,178.81. This wing was begun in 1879 and finished at the close of 1881. The legislature of 1881 appropriated $100,000 for the construction of the east wing of the capitol and retained Wm. H. Wilcox as architect. Bids were submitted on this wing July 12, 1881, by the following firms: Butler & Krone, $98,490; Robert D. Silver, $86,400; W. H. B. Stout, $96,800. The contract was let to Stout. The total cost of building and furnishing the east wing was $108,247.92. This wing was accepted by the board of public lands and buildings December 1, 1882. With the completion of the east and west wings of the capitol the legislature of 1883 authorized the board of public lands and buildings to ask for bids for the destruction and removal of the old capitol.

    For the construction of the central portion of the new capitol the legislature of 1883, and that of 1885, authorized a levy of one-half mill on the grand assessment roll for the years 1883, 1884, 1885 and 1886. W. H. B. Stout obtained the contract for the erection of the central portion of the capitol at the price of $439,187.25. The legislature of 1887 authorized a levy of three-fourths of a mill for the years of 1887 and 1888 to complete the capitol building. The same session of the legislature made provision for the sale of all unsold lots and lands in the city of Lincoln belonging in the state for the use of the capitol building fund. The sale of these lots added $78,870 to this fund. The total cost of the second state capitol building was $691,428.80.

    For many years the need of a new capitol building had been quite evident. The rapid deterioration of the old structure made extensive repairs impracticable. The legislature of 1919 passed a law providing "for the planning and construction of a capitol building, creating a commission to conduct the same, levying a tax of one and one-half mills therefor." The act was approved February 20, 1919. On February 21, 1919, the capitol commission was appointed.

    Later Thomas R. Kimball, of Omaha, was chosen as professional adviser. The capitol commission, after visiting various state capitol buildings concerned itself during 1919 and the first half of 1920 with the choice of an architect. Two competitions were held, the first, limited to Nebraska architects, resulted in the choice of three who were thus privileged to enter the final contest. In the final competition there were, besides the three Nebraska architects, seven companies from outside Nebraska. In June, 1920,

the capitol commission assisted by a jury of three members, chose, from unidentified plans, a set which, upon opening the identified plans, proved to be those of Mr. Bertram Goodhue, of New York. His plans, as submitted, were, with slight modification, accepted as the plan for the new capitol building. Mr. Goodhue's word picture of the plan is as follows: "A vast, though rather low structure, from whose midst rises a great central tower, which, with its gleaming dome of golden tiles, would stand a landmark for many miles around." The year 1921 was occupied in completing the plans and preparation for building. The actual construction of the new capitol began early in 1922. In January, 1925, part of the building was completed and occupied. The executive suite was decorated and furnished in 1927, and the main corridors and rotunda opened to public use. The legislature of 1925 amended the capitol commission act of 1919 by extending the levy for four years up to 1928. The legislature of 1929 amended the act of 1925 by extending the levy of twenty-two one hundredths of a mill through the year 1930, and setting a limit of $9,500,000 for completing, decorating, furnishing, landscaping and construction of a heating and lighting plant for the capitol. The legislature of 1931 provided for a capitol levy of eleven one-hundredths of a mill for the years 1931 and 1932. The building was completed, furnished and the grounds landscaped in 1932.

    The commissoin (sic) was composed of site governor, the state engineer and three members appointed by the governor. The appointed members were W. E. Hardy of Lincoln, W. H. Thompson of Grand Island, and Walter W. Head of Omaha. The governors acting as chairman of the commission during construction of the building were, Samuel R. McKelvie, Charles W. Bryan, Adam McMullen and Arthur J. Weaver. The state engineers during that period were George E. Johnson and Robert L. Cochran. Walter W. Head resigned December 26, 1930, but no one was appointed to take his place.

    The total amount produced by the various tax levies for construction, furnishing and landscaping was $10,354,616.67. The capitol commission expended over $10,000,000 for building, grounds and furnishings. There remained a balance resulting from the several levies. The legislature of 1935 appropriated $200,000 of this balance for the construction of a ward building at the Hastings hospital. The remaining balance and collections estimated at $18,000 was then appropriated for maintenance of capitol grounds and building.

SEAL OF STATE

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TERRITORIAL AND STATE SEAL

   The territorial seal was in use on some of the early documents and publications.

    A bill introduced by Isaac Wiles of Cass county on May 31, and approved June 15, 1867, appropriated $25 so be used by the secretary of state for the securing of a state seal, which was thus described in the act: "The eastern part of the circle to be represented by a steamboat ascending the Missouri river; the mechanic arts to be represented by a smith with hammer and anvil; in the foreground agriculture to be represented by a settler's cabin, sheaves of wheat and stalks of growing corn; in the background a train of cars heading towards the Rocky mountains, and on the extreme west the Rocky mountains to be plainly in view; around the top of this circle to be in capital letters, the motto, 'Equality before the law.' and the circle to he surrounded by the words, 'Great seal of the state of Nebraska, March 1, 1867.'"

   The legislature of 1921 authorized she governor to appoint a commission to design a new seal, and also a state banner. The governor appointed George A. Williams of Fairmont, Dr. George F. Condra, of Lincoln, and Mrs. F. B. Penney of Fullerton, as members of this commission.

    The legislature of 1923 failed to adopt the proposed seal as the official seal. The old seal is still in use.

    A joint resolution introduced by Representative F. C. Rundel of Boone county, and approved April 4, 1895, designates the golden rod (Solidago serotina) as the floral emblem of the state.

    Another joint resolution introduced by Senator C. H. Sloan of Geneva, and also approved on April 4, 1895, after referring in the preamble to the fact that Nebraska had, 'in a popular sense, been designated by names not in keeping with its history, industry or ambition," conferred upon the state the proper designation--Tree planter's state."

    Representative J. Lloyd McMaster of Lancaster county introduced a bill in 1925, designating a state banner. The law describes the banner as "a reproduction of the great seal of the state charged on the center in gold and silver on a field of national blue."

    A joint resolution introduced by Representative F. C. Rundle of Hamilton county, and approved March 22, 1929, declares the western meadowlark to be the state bird of Nebraska.

    A bill introduced by Representative John H. Comstock of Lancaster county, and approved March 25, 1931, designates March 1 as State day.

    The legislature of 1931 designated October 11 as Pulaski memorial day.

    The legislature of 1935 directed the governor to proclaim April 13 of each year Thomas Jefferson memorial day.

GOVERNORS-

   Francis Burt, October 16, 1854, to October 18, 1854. Died October 18, 1854, and vacancy filled by Secretary Thomas B. Cuming to February 20, 1855.

    Mark W. Izard, February 20, 1855, to October 25, 1857. October 25, resigned and vacancy filled by Secretary Cuming to January 12, 1858.

    William A. Richardson, January 12, 1858, to December 5, 1858. Resigned December 5, and vacancy filled by Secretary J. Sterling Morton until Governor Black's arrival May 2, 1859.

    Samuel W. Black, May 2, 1859, to February 2-1, 1861. February 24, resigned to enter army and vacancy filled by J. Sterling Morton, secretary, until May 1.

    Alvin Saunders, May 1, 1861, to February 21, 1867.

SECRETARIES-

    Thomas B. Cuming, August 13, 1854, to March 12, 1858. Died March 12, 1858. Was acting governor, October 18, 1854, to February 20, 1855, and October 25, 1857, to January 12, 1858.

    John B. Motley, March 23, 1858, to July 12, 1858. Acting secretary until arrival of J. Sterling Morton.

    J. Sterling Morton, July 12, 1858, to May 6, 1861. Acting governor, December 5, 1858, to May 2, 1859, and February 24, 1861, to May 6, 1861.

    Algernon S. Paddock, May 6, 1861, to February 21, 1867. Acting governor, May 6, 1861, to May 15, 1861.

AUDITORS--

    Chas. B. Smith, term of office began March 16, 1855.

    Samuel L. Campbell, term of office began August 3, 1857.

    William E. Moore, term of office began June 1, 1858.

    Robert C. Jordan, term of office began August 2, 1858.

    William E. Harvey, term, of office began October 8, 1861.

    John Gillespie, term of office began October 10, 1865.

TREASURERS--

    B. P. Rankin, term of office began March 16, 1855.

    William W. Wyman, term of office began November 6, 1855.

    Augustus Kountze, term of office began October 8, 1861.

LIBRARIANS--

    James S. Izard, term of office began March 16, 1855.

    H. C. Anderson, term of office began November 6, 1855.

    John H. Kellom, term of office began August 3, 1857.

    Alonzo D. Luce, term of office began November 7, 1859.

    Robert S. Knox, term of office began June, 1861.

SUPREME COURT--TERRITORIAL JUSTICES-

	Term of Office	Chief Justice
Fenner Ferguson	October 12, 1854-1857	October 12, 1854-1857
Augustus Hall	March 15, 1858-1861	March 15, 1858-1861
William Pitt Kellogg	May 27, 1861. Resigned 1861.	May 27, 1861
William Kellogg	May 8, 1865-1867	May 8, 1865-1867
Edward R. Harden	December 4, 1854-1860

	Term of Office
James Bradley .	October 25, 1854-1857
Samuel W. Black	January, 1857-May, 1859
Eleazer Wakeley	April 22, 1857-May, 1861
Joseph Miller	April 9, 1859-1860
William F. Lockwood	May 16, 1861-1867
Joseph F. Streeter	November 18, 1861-February 20, 1863
Elmer S Dundy	June 22, 1863-1867

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