This memorandum details the agreement between Populist governor Lorenzo Lewelling and the Republican (Douglass) House that ended the standoff known as the Legislative (or Populist) War of 1893. During this conflict, the Republican Party and the Populist Party both claimed to have a legal majority in the state House of Representatives, coming to blows over possession of Representative Hall in the statehouse. Among other things, this agreement dictated that "no arrests -- be made by either House," and that the militia be disbanded before more soldiers arrived in Topeka. Attached to the agreement is a statement by George Douglass, leader of the Republicans, stating that this memorandum was not intended to determine which house was legitimately elected. Both documents were signed by Governor Lewelling, Douglas, D. W. Eastman, and J. K. Cubbison. Also attached is a letter from Lewelling to George Martin, head of the Kansas State Historical Society; Lewelling wanted to ensure that a copy of the document would be preserved for posterity.
Date: February 17, 1893
Creator: Lewelling, Lorenzo Dow, 1846-1900
This source can provide details on the conclusion of the Populist War. It would work well with photographs of the militia units stationed outside the statehouse, Governor Lewelling's directive to Colonel Hughes and his order to the Republicans, the statement made by the Republican House, the newspaper article stating Lewelling's position on the matter, and Floyd Bull's reminiscence of the conflict.
KS:7th:4.2:Populism (2005)
Item Number: 210826
Call Number: Legislature History (Coll. 614), Box 1, Folder Legislature 1893
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 210826
Collections - Manuscript - History - Legislature
Curriculum - 7th Grade Standards - Kansas History Standards - 1880s to 1920s (Benchmark 4) - Populism (Indicator 2) - Legislative war of 1893
Date - 1890s - 1893
Government and Politics - Political Parties - Populist
Government and Politics - Political Parties - Republican
Government and Politics - Reform and Protest - Populism
Government and Politics - State Government - Governors - Lewelling, Lorenzo Dow
Government and Politics - State Government - Legislature - House of Representatives
Military - Service - National Guard
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Memorandum
People - Notable Kansans - Lewelling. Lorenzo Dow, 1846-1900
Places - Cities and towns - Topeka
Places - Counties - Shawnee
Thematic Time Period - Age of Reform, 1880 - 1917 - Populism, 1890-1900
Type of Material - Unpublished documents - Memoranda
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/210826
