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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1982)
Pago 6 Daily Ncbraskan Monday, March 1, 1982 Nebraska's third capitol marks 50th anniversary ViSA The 50th anniversary of the completion of the state capitol was marked with sev eral events this weekend. Saturday, NU football Coach Tom Osborne was awarded the first annual Nebraskalandcr Award. Sunday, the Ncbraskaland Foundation and the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commiss ion sponsored several events in the cap itol's rotunda. Among them were remarks by Gov Charles Thone, a slide presentation of the capitol's history, the cutting of a birthday cake and recitation of the Pledge of Alle giance. The longer of the stories below records how the capitol building developed and explains how Lincoln came to be the state capital. By Mel inch) Norris The 50th anniversary of the Nebraska State Capitol Building this year celebrates more than the completion of a building. It marks the end of a statewide dispute which began in the mid-1 880s. The capitol building, towering 400 fect in the air, is the third one in the state's history, and Lincoln is the third capital city. Disagreement had been increasing be tween the settlers in the southern and northern Nebraska Territory. Separated by the Platte River, some pioneers came from Kansas on the Oregon Trail passing through Nebraska on the south side of the Platte. On the Mormon Trail, the pioneers traveled along the northern side of the river. Most of these settlers were forced to make Nebraska their home when a broken wagon, sickness or weather veered them off the trail. As more settlers arrived, a territorial capital needed to be named. In 1854, Francis Burt, Nebraska's first territorial governor, arrived in Ne braska via the Missouri River to name the new capital. Greeted by representatives from both the south and north side of the Platte River who requested the title, Burt took refuge in a Bellevue mission home, sick from his journey, where be died a few days later. Because Burt died in Bellevue, many believe that is the site of the state's first capital. However, following Burt's death, the executive power was passed to the territ orial secretary of state, Thomas B. Cuming, who picked Omaha as the temporary seat of the state government. Angry about the loss of the capital, Bellevue legislators joined legislators south of the Platte River in passing a bill locating the capital in "the town of Douglas in Lancaster County." But because there was no town of Doug las, or any other town in Lancaster Coun ty, the bill was vetoed by the third territ orial governor, Mark W. Izard, and the state capital stayed in Omaha. The Civil War delayed the dispute about the location of the capital. But in 1866, the state constitution and first state offi cers were elected, putting the dispute in the spotlight again. In 1867, the Legislature chose three members to form the Capitol Commission. These members were to choose the site of the capital within the southern half of Saunders, the northern section of Lancas ter, Seward and Butler counties. Also stipulated by the Legislature, the commission was to locate a state univer sity, agriculture college and state penitent iary. As a bill ncarcd passage naming Lan caster County as the seat of the Legislature, Douglas County-Omaha senators made a Final effort for the capital. The city that was to house the relocated capital was to be appropriately named "Capital City." However, the Omaha legislators, knowing the democrats south of the Platte River had sympathized with the South during the Civil War, amended the bill changing the name of the future capit al city to Lincoln. However, the southerners didn't mind that name, and voted to move the capital to Lincoln. Fearing a renewed effort to move the capital back to Omaha would arise with the convening of the 1869 Legislature, Lincoln commissioners quickly hired an architect, who constructed a building in Lincoln one month before the Legislature met. Fventually, the capitol building was reconstructed, and some additions were made on the original plans. In 1920, state officials decided to build a third capitol building. Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue of New York City was given the contract to build the revolutionary building. The Legislature allotted S5 million to construct the building, but by the time the final bill arrived, the cost had increased to $10 million. During the construction phase Goodhue died. However, all his plans were complet ed and the task was finished by Goodhue's associates. On April 24, 1930, the 8Vi-ton Sower was hoisted to the top of the capitol. mi ji? Get the Designer Frames you want g when you purchase the Lens vou need. (Blue Dot frames excluded.) Save 33 to 69 This week The Optical Shop can fill your new prescription or copy your present one and fit you with a pair of Designer Frames just for your eyes! Come in and select from Ann Klein, Pierre Cardin, Zsa Zsa Gatyv, Oleg Cassini, Anthony Martin and more. (Frame and lenses have to be purchased together) Hurry-Sale Ends March 13th. STUDY IN EUROPE The University of Louvain (established in 1425) Leuven, Belgium offers COMPLETE PROGRAMMES IN PHILOSOPHY FOR THE DEGREES OF B.A.. M.A., AND Ph.D. plus A JUNIOR YEAR ABROAD PROGRAMME All Coursed Are In English. Tuition is 11, 500 Belgium Franks Write To: Secretary English Programmes Kardinaal Mercierplein 2 B-3000 Leuven, Belgium OBITUARY NOTICE In mourning the death of quality education at UNL, we hereb invite you to offer your condolences at: THE FUNERAL FOR A UNL STUDENT 11:30a.m. MONDAY. MARCH 1st UNION FOUNTAIN PROCESSIONAL AT 11:15 THE WORKING COALITION -W.C. m 333 N. 12th St. Mon.-Fri. 10-5 Thurs. 10-8 Sat. 10-1