Kansas governor Lorenzo Lewelling issued this order to Colonel Hughes, a militia commander, ordering him to clear the Topeka statehouse of all Republican congressmen and to forcibly remove anyone who did not comply. During the Legislative War of 1893, the Republican (Douglass) House and the Populist (Dunsmore) House had both claimed to be the legally elected House of Representatives for the state. On February 13, 1893, the Populists barricaded themselves in Representative Hall, preventing the Republican congressmen from re-entering the chambers. The Republican house responded by beating down the doors with sledgehammers, taking possession of the chambers, and posting armed guards to protect the hall. At that point, Governor Lewelling issued his order demanding that the Republicans disband, and the next day, February 16, he issued this order to Colonel Hughes. Hughes, a Republican, refused to obey and was relieved of his command. His militia (with a new commander) stationed themselves outside the capitol but were not re-ordered to clear the building. The situation was resolved on February 25 when the Kansas Supreme Court established the Republican House as the legal representative body for the state.
Date: February 16, 1893
Creator: Lewelling, Lorenzo Dow, 1846-1900
This order can be used in the classroom as part of a case study of this war. It could be grouped with other sources pertaining to the Populist War, including images of the militia outside the capitol, Gov. Lewelling's first order, the newspaper article regarding Lewelling's position on the conflict, the statement of the Republican house, Jeremiah Remington's postcard, Floyd Bull's reminiscence, and the copy of the agreement that ended the standoff.
KS:7th:4.2:Populism (2005)
Item Number: 210827
Call Number: Legislature History (Coll. 614), Box 1, Folder Legislature 1893
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 210827
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
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Government record - Executive order
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 - Government records - Executive orders
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/210827
