William H. James was a native of Marion County, Ohio, and received his early education in the common schools of the State and from the Marion Academy. He was alternately farmer, clerk, and mechanic, and finally student at law, having entered a law office in 1853.
   The date of his settlement in Nebraska was in 1857, three years after the territorial organization. From this time until his election as secretary of state in 1870, he had given some attention to legal practice, surveying, and the duties of register of a land office for five years under appointment of President Lincoln. His term of acting governor commenced with the impeachment of Governor Butler, March 4th, 1871, and continued till January 10th, 1873. The legislature convening but once every two years, he delivered his only message January 10th, 1873, and three days thereafter was superseded by Governor Furnas.
   Among the subjects presented for consideration we find the admonition that prison discipline should seek the protection of society, and not attempt "vindictive punishment," greater unity of action between the regents and faculty of the state university demanded special attention to be given the insane, idiots, and imbeciles, pardoning power to be exercised with great care, laws enacted to protect capital coming to the State for investment, and usury laws repealed since "capital is timid."

   Inasmuch as the exercise of "doubtful and dangerous authority" had given him an administration, "of few days and full of

trouble," he deemed it well to go upon record as to the care of public funds.

   After the acting governor's intelligent disquisition upon the scrupulous care to be observed in the use of public money, and "the impolicy of resorting to doubtful and dangerous authority," it is a little astonishing that the state senate felt called upon to ask what disposition had been made of a particular fund, in charge of the governor, of which the auditor and treasurer had no report; and further that a senate committee had to report that he admitted that he had not done right in retaining a certain $6,300--and would pay it over on the order of the legislature, and though he promised to make a written statement to the committee in the course of the same day, had failed to do so.
   In those early days of crude laws and new and unexpected demands, it was attempted to palliate delinquencies and indiscretions from the demands of public wants, though there was great danger of establishing precedents in favor of "private needs."

   Born in 1824, an orphan at eight, a printer's apprentice at seventeen years of age, and editor of a Miami County, Ohio, paper in his twenty-third year, the subject of this sketch began life courageously and in earnest. During forty-five years ex-governor R. W. Furnas has been a very active and intelligent worker for the interests of Nemaha county and the State of Nebraska. The town of Brownville knew him as a Fourth of July orator in 1856, and subsequently as member of the town council and the board of education, as a trustee of church property, leading member of The Masonic order, and a practical florist and landscape gardner (sic) from the beauty of his home surroundings. The county had the benefit of him as editor of its first paper, president of her agricultural society, a cultivator of nursery stock for orchard and grove, and dealer in choice livestock of all descriptions, and member of the legislature and constitutional convention. The State had his services as president of her agricultural association, and of her horticultural, pomological, and historical societies, and as regent of her university and governor. Early in her history he was active in placing her fruit on exhibition in Boston, Philadelphia, and Richmond, Virginia, and in securing premiums. In 1885 Governor Dawes said, in a message relating to a state display at the New Orleans exposition:

R. W. FURNAS.

in recognition of distinguished services the legislature presented the governor with a vote of thanks and a gold medal. on the publication of an address upon the origin, history, and uses of corn, entitled "Corn is King," he made mention of the circumstances attendant upon his New Orleans supervision:

   The president of the United States made him one of a commission to examine into the agricultural capabilities of California, Oregon, Arizona, and New Mexico, and a forester of the national agricultural department. He was agent of the Omaha Indians in Nebraska, and colonel of an Indian brigade and of the Second Nebraska cavalry in 1863, which did duty under General Sully against the Sioux Indians. When the agricultural department at Washington was allowed a cabinet officer, many of the friends of Governor Furnas hoped the president would select him as that secretary. The first official proclamation of the observance of Arbor Day was issued by him, two years after Mr. Morton's resolution establishing it, and eleven years before the State made it a legal holiday; and his enthusiasm in that direction has only increased as the years have added to the wisdom of the enterprise.
   In the campaign under General Sully of the regular army, the battle of White Stone Hills was fought September 3, 1863, two hundred miles above Fort Pierre, Dakota. Reporting results, having described the amount of scouting necessary to locate the enemy, Colonel Furnas said of the battle and the conduct of the Nebraska troops:

   Under date of September 16, 1863, General Sully thanked the troops in order Number 62:

   This was followed the next day by a farewell letter to the colonel commanding:

HEADQUARTERS N. W. EXPEDITION,          
FORT ANTIETAM, D. T., Sept. 17th, 1863.   

   DEAR COLONEL:--As we are about to separate after months of hard campaigning, you to your family fireside, I where I may be ordered, I can not part with you without thanking you for your valuable services to me in the duties of the late campaign, and I hope, Colonel, if you ever again throw away the "pipe of peace," and buckle on your saber, I may have the good fortune to have you associated with me.
   With the kindest feelings for your success, I remain your obedient servant,

ALF. SULLY, Brig. Gen.   

   At the expiration of the term of service, when mustered out at Omaha November 30, 1863, Colonel Furnas took leave of his command by issuing order Number 12, the latter part of which is here quoted:

COL. R. W. FURNAS.

   By order of H. M. ATKINSON, Adjutant.

   Governor Robert W. Furnas was the second in the list of State executives. In his inaugural address of January 13th, 1873, after declaring that his aim should be "to serve faithfully a people who had so generously confided the sacred trust," he pledged himself that no duty would be left unperformed in advancing the State to an honorable position. "While elected by one of the political organizations of the day, my duty now is to the whole people."
   He said of the theatre of action, "Here we are laying more the foundations than otherwise, for those who are to come after us. We are compelled therefore, to a very great extent, to meet emergencies and demands as they arise and present themselves for our consideration." Inasmuch as our land endowment for schools embraced "one-eighteenth of the entire public domain," he believed in the near future that "our whole educational system, front common school to university, could, with careful management, be made entirely independent of state aid." Coming to his favorite theme of agriculture, it was commended to intelligent and devoted supervision:

   As if the treeless prairies were supplicating for moisture and shade, in their aid was invoked the supervision of a state forester, with premiums to stimulate culture. The theory of taxation recommended that, "in a free government like ours, sustaining burdens should be borne proportionately with means and ability to contribute," and that, as between lines of transportation and the people, "mutual efforts and labors should be followed with mutual accommodations and benefits: wholesome, judicious, impartial legislation, tending to serve the public good, should not be lost sight of during your labors." In order that

state, county, and municipal bonds should be advanced to par, registration was urged in order to establish value with the purchaser; and with equal urgency attention was called to the utility of immigration agents and documentary statements of the 4, unsurpassed fertility of our fifty million acres of vacant land"." An appeal was made in behalf of the claims of the United States Centennial Exposition of 1876, and of that at Vienna in 1874, so that evidence of Nebraska's capability to furnish desirable homes for toiling millions could be understood by the people of our own and foreign lands. In behalf of the peace and quiet in our "New West," from personal observation and the experience of many years, he recommended the removal of the Indians from the midst of our settlements, and locating them elsewhere, by themselves. Deprecating hasty legislation, and proffering hearty co-operation, he assumed the reins of government, "invoking the aid of Him who guides and governs the acts of individuals, as well as rules the destinies, of nations."
   As Governor Furnas served but one term in office, two years elapsed between the time of delivering the foregoing inaugural and his final and only message. The message may be considered under three heads: principles discussed, facts stated, and recommendations made.
   Under the head of revenue he said:

   He said of the agricultural college:

   While upon the subject of the state prison, he called attention to "a fact prevalent to-day, not only in this country, but throughout the world, that all well governed and successfully conducted prisons have ceased to be mere instrumentalities for the punishment of offenders, but on the contrary partake of a reformatory character."

   Before the railroad question had assumed all its subsequent, importance he gave expression to the following views:

   These statements of fact and opinion may also be quoted:

   There were donated by the general government, known as saline lands, seventy-two sections. From this there have been appropriated by legislative acts: for the benefit of the state normal school, twenty sections; for the model farm, in connection with the agricultural department of the state university, two sections; for the use of the insane hospital one-fourth of a section. There have been sold to various persons, as per deed record in this office, seventeen thousand five hundred acres, leaving a balance undisposed of and on hand, of twelve thousand seven hundred and forty-four acres. There remain to be selected and approved, to, complete the seventy-two sections donated, four and one-sixteenth sections.

   There were donated and have been selected and confirmed, five hundred thousand acres. By acts of the legislature, the whole of these lands have been appropriated and conveyed for purposes designated, to aid in the construction of. railroads and bridges. In fact the records show, that by reason of hastily deeding before confirmation, thirty-one thousand four hundred and seventy-six acres have been., deeded more than the State owned, or was entitled to.

   There have been received twenty sections designated as for public buildings. The whole of these lands were, by act of February 10th, 1871, transferred, or appropriated to aid in the construction of the state penitentiary.

   There were donated for the erection of a state penitentiary, fifty sections, which, in addition to the twenty sections before named, made seventy sections applicable for that purpose. Of these there have been sold and used in the erection of buildings, forty-three thousand one hundred and eighteen acres, leaving on hand, undisposed of., one thousand six hundred and seventy-six acres.
   10

   Seventy-two sections were donated, selected and confirmed.

   Ninety thousand acres were donated and selected, of which eighty-nine thousand four hundred and sixty acres have been confirmed, leaving five hundred and forty acres yet unconfirmed.
   The school lands alone, if sold, would create a permanent school fund of over $20,000,000.

   The report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the years 1873 and 1874 is most gratifying to the friends of education. At the close of the fiscal year 1872, there were 538 school houses in the State, valued at about $700,000. The present report shows 1,345 school houses, valued at a fraction over $1,300,000. An increase of Over eight hundred buildings, and $600,000 valuation in the two years. The total number of pupils at the close of the year 1872 was 51,123; at the close of 1874, 72,991, showing an increase in the two years of 21,868. The total amount of school money apportioned by the Superintendent for the years 1871 and 1872 was somewhat over $370,000. The past two years the total amount apportioned was nearly $100,000 of an increase. At the close of the year 1872 there were 1,512 qualified teachers in the State. The reports for 1873 and 1874 show 2,200.

   The capital city, Lincoln, as originally platted, consisted of two hundred and eighty-seven blocks, or three thousand four hundred and forty-seven lots. Of these sixteen blocks were donated for public squares and railroad depot purposes. One hundred and fifty-five lots were deeded in consideration of lots in the old Lancaster town-site. Twelve lots were donated to the State Historical Society, forty to the various churches and benevolent societies, and twelve to the Lincoln Steam Mill Company. Two thousand nine hundred and thirteen lots were sold for the aggregate sum. of two hundred and ninety-three thousand three hundred and fifty-eight dollars and seventy-five cents. Three hundred and fourteen lots remain unsold. The unsold lots are principally in the Salt Creek bottom, and of no considerable value at present.

   A report by Governor Furnas, January, 1873, revealed the disposition made of 500,000 acres of land donated for internal improvements as follows:

   The promptness and self sacrificing zeal with which Governor Furnas met and assisted to remedy a great state calamity, independent of aid from the state treasury, merited the generous commendation of those who had hearts to feel and a willingness to act.

   Our own State, like :most other portions of the country at large, especially the West, has been afflicted the past season with short crops, by reason of drouth and grasshopper devastation. While the injury-has been greater than for any and all causes heretofore in the history of the, Territory and State, and can not be otherwise than discouraging, particularly to the agriculturists, there is no disposition manifested to abandon any portion of the State. As soon as satisfied as to results narrated, and as greatly exaggerated reports were in circulation as to probable wants and suffering that would follow to those in the new

   Supplementing this voluntary action, Congress enacted an extension of time in behalf of homesteaders, and a cash appropriation of $30,000 for the purchase of seeds, to be distributed among the absolutely destitute for the succeeding year's planting. All persons who made settlement in Nebraska since 1875, are unable to understand the true import of "grasshopper devastation." The first visitation of these terrible pests was in the fall of 1866, when a portion of the corn crop had matured and the later planted and fall wheat furnished their supply of food. Having deposited their eggs and died before the beginning of winter, the people lived in painful expectancy of greater destruction when the genial rays of spring should give life to a new and ravenous brood. But their subsequent experience taught them.

that as soon as able to fly migration might ensue, or the drenching rains of spring cause their destruction. Eight years thereafter in the fall of 1874, again they came in clouds that almost eclipsed the sun and covered the ground as storms of snow, and stripping fields of all their fodder and eating into the husks of unripe ears, left them to must and rot upon the stalk. Early in May the fields of wheat and rye, of barley and oats and early planted corn promised luxurious crops, while orchards and gardens, with nurseries of fruit and forest trees were promising a most satisfactory growth. But hatching season being past the ground in parts of the State was literally covered, so that the foot and carriage wheel wherever moved crushed and ground their thousands. Trenches were dug around grain fields in order to entrap moving armies before prepared to fly, and when partly tilled, straw distributed and burned. Low pans of sheet iron filled with coal oil were placed at points where they had to move along the sides of houses or board fences, into which they jumped and were destroyed. Large pans, with coal oil, drawn by horses, were passed over the fields of young grain, and as the insects rose and fell upon the fluid they were gathered by the bushel. But it was only necessary to make the experiment in order to realize how utterly futile must be the effort to control descending showers or falling snow. Powerless as children before a tornado, as the promised crop vanished, and every hope of paying debts and taxes disappeared, and visions of wife and little ones pleading for food and clothing haunted him and of farm-stock starving, and of sheriffs and red flags abounding, many a toilsome farmer, despairing, shed tears of anguish. Not till the work of desolation was complete came the time of migration, when about the fifteenth of June, 1875, the clouds lifted and floated westward. "Hoping against hope," at so late a day, wheat fields were plowed up for corn, corn fields re-planted, summer crops attempted as never before, of buck-wheat, turnips and potatoes, and under the smiles of a beneficent providence, Thanksgiving Day in November found a great majority of the people around frugal boards, and in places of public worship.

One third of the corn crop hardened for market, two thirds made pork and beef, showing conclusively, that with a favorable fall frost coming late, the crop can be matured between the first of July and October.
   Of numerous and valuable recommendations we have the following: that in voting for bonds for county and other purposes a mere majority should not obligate the property of a large minority but a two-thirds vote should be required; that nothing should be exempt from taxation, but every species of property should bear its due proportion, on its actual cash value; that the popular demand for a constitutional convention be granted; and that in order to check fraud, all bonds issued in the State should be registered by the state auditor; and that inducements be offered to capital to invest in manufactures and developing improvements; and especially, that measures be adopted for a state exhibit, of natural ant] artificial resources, at the anticipated national centennial exposition of 1876. In concluding a most comprehensive and critical message he said:

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