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Topeka Constitutional Convention journal
Smith, Samuel C.
During the afternoon session of Wednesday, October 31, 1855, Jim Lane presented a "Resolution which was ordered to be entered upon the Journal of the convention--said Resolution being the instructions given by the people of the 2nd Representative District" at a Lawrence meeting of October 7. The "instructions" and Lane's resolution provided that "the question of excluding Free Negroes from the Territory" be submitted to a vote of the people on the day they voted on the constitution itself.
previewJohn James Ingalls to Elias T. Ingalls
Ingalls, John James, 1833-1900
From Lawrence, January 26, 1859, Ingalls began this letter with a description of the territory's pleasant weather, but focused on the activities of the legislature and the status of slavery in Kansas. He was serving as clerk of the "Senate," while looking after Sumner affairs.
previewJohn James Ingalls to Elias T. Ingalls
Ingalls, John James, 1833-1900
In this brief letter from the Senate Chamber, Lawrence, Kansas, February 11, 1859, Ingalls writes about the bill abolishing slavery in Kansas Territory; it was passed too late to give the legislature a chance to override an almost certain veto by Governor Medary. The bill only passed after a "spirited and angry debate."
previewJohn James Ingalls to Elias T. Ingalls
Ingalls, John James, 1833-1900
Back in Sumer on August 14, 1859, Ingalls wrote regarding the convention's recently completed work and the prospects for the Wyandotte Constitution, now "before the people." The Democrats were "taking strong ground against it" because of the state boundaries set by the delegates (excluded "Southern Nebraska & Pike's Peak"), there was to be no exclusion of "free negroes" from Kansas, and of the "apportionment," which gave the Republicans, and thus their proposed constitution, a big advantage. "The democracy are furious about it [the apportionment] of course and some temporizing Republicans are inclined to smooth the matter over by explanations and euphimisms. I adopt a different ground . . . ." Ingalls argued that he "was not aware of any extreme favors or kindnesses extended to the people of Kansas in the last four years by the democratic party which warranted any very delicate considerations form the party in power today."
previewA.S. Wilson to Henry J. Allen
Kansas. Governor (1919-1923 : Allen)
A.S. Wilson, an attorney in Galena, Kansas, writes to Governor Henry J. Allen to indicate his interest in a law that would allow second class cities to separate the schools based on "white and colored children." He included a petition with signatures with the letter.
previewElisha J. Scott
Elisha J. Scott, 1890-1963, was raised in Topeka's Tennesseetown. As a youth, he possessed a strong drive and a quick wit, which attracted the eye of prominent Topeka minister Charles M. Sheldon. With financial support from Sheldon and his own abilities to succeed, Scott earned his law degree from Washburn College in 1916. During his long career as an attorney, he argued many civil rights and school segregation cases throughout Kansas and the Midwest. Two of Scott's sons, John and Charles, joined him in his law firm of Scott, Scott, Scott, and Jackson. Together they helped to prosecute, at the local level, the landmark civil rights case of Brown v. Topeka Board of Education.
previewSpirit of Washington, Washington School, Topeka, Kansas
Thompson, Joseph A.
This silent film documents a day at Washington School, a Black elementary school located at 1025 Washington, Topeka, Kansas. The film follows each grade level through various activities throughout the day. Washington was one of four Black elementary schools in Topeka prior to the the U. S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. The Board of Education (1954) that called for the desegregation of public schools.
previewW.M. Nelson to Governor Henry Allen
Nelson, W.M.
W.M. Nelson, a black miner in Croweburg, Kansas, writes Governor Allen about pending legislation involving the Court of Industrial Relations. This legislation would have a panel in charge of hearing both sides of labor disputes. Nelson writes "I did think once when you had this law pass you entruded on the miners of Kansas. But I highly appreciate the action that you taken because it cause many woman an children to get three meals a day." Nelson goes on to say "This is the first time in history that the colored miner had one part of a show in District 17." The Court of Industrial Relations was later passed on January 1920 by special session of the Kansas legislature.
previewEarl Thomas Reynolds to Governor Fred Hall
Reynolds, Earl Thomas
This letter was written by Earl Thomas Reynolds, a lawyer in Coffeyville, Kansas, to Governor Fred Hall. Reynolds was concerned that black people in Kansas were not receiving adequate patronage and political party representation in or by the Republican Party, particularly in the third district. Mr Reynolds inquired why should blacks continue to support the Republican Party, at all levels of government, if their support is not rewarded by the party.
previewSusan B. Anthony to Governor John P. St. John
Susan B. Anthony has enclosed a $10.00 subscription for the Kansas Freedman's Relief Association in this letter to Governor John P. St. John. She also wrote that she wanted to meet with St. John to discuss the "speediest method" to bring about United States citizenship and equal rights for women.
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