INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. The great Pacific Railway extends entirely across this State, along the north bank of the Platte River, from Omaha into Wyoming Territory. There are several other lines in active operation, and the State is rapidly improving in this respect. EDUCATION. There is a Normal School at Peru, which has been liberally endowed by the State. It was opened in October, 1867, and is succeeding admirably. A Superintendent of Public Instruction has the control of the schools, subject to the supervision of a State Board of Education, which consists of himself, the Governor, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and five other persons appointed by the Governor. One-sixteenth of all the Government lands in the State, amounting to 2,643,080 acres, is set apart for the creation of a public school fund, while 46,080 acres have been given for the endowment of a State University, and 90,000 acres for the State Agricultural College. The fund arising from these lands cannot be expended. Only the interest can be used. The minimum price at which they can be sold is $5 per acre, so that the fund to be derived from this source cannot be less than over $13,000,000. The whole amount derived from the school fund in 1869-70 was $77,999. The whole number of children in attendance upon the public schools in the same year was 32,619. FINANCES. The State has no public debt. Its Constitution prohibits it from incurring a debt in excess of $50,000 in amount. In 1870, the total assessed value of property in Nebraska was $53,000,000. GOVERNMENT. The Constitution of this State was adopted in 1866. By its terms, every male citizen of the United States, and every foreigner who has legally declared his intention to become a citizen, who is 21 years old, and has resided in the State one year, and the required time in the county, is entitled to vote at the elections. The Government is vested in a Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, and Attorney-General, and a Legislature, consisting of a Senate (of 13 members) and a House of Representatives (of 39 members), all chosen by the people. The State officers are elected for four years, and members of the Legislature for two years. The judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court, District Courts, Probate Courts, and in Justices of the Peace. All judges are elected by the people. The Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and two Associates, chosen for six years. The seat of Government is located at Lincoln. HISTORY. Nebraska was originally a part of the Louisiana purchase. It was organized as a Territory in 1854. Kansas attracted the greater part of the emigrants, and so occupied the attention of the pro-slavery party that Nebraska escaped the struggle by which her neighbor was torn. Emigration was very rapid until the financial panic of 1857 checked it. The Territory was some time in recovering from the effects of this crisis, which has been succeeded by a slower but more substantial growth in prosperity. In 1860, its population was 28,842. The Pacific Railroad begins at Omaha, the principal city of the State, and will undoubtedly do much to build up and populate the young commonwealth. On the 21st of March, 1864, Congress passed an Act enabling the people to organize a State Government. A Constitution was ratified by the people on the 8th of June, 1866, and on the 9th of February, 1867, Nebraska was admitted into the Union as a State. CITIES AND TOWNS. The capital of the State, is situated in Lancaster county, 80 miles southwest of Omaha, and 50 miles west of Nebraska City, with which it is connected by railway. The town sprang up suddenly in the summer of 1867, and grew with remarkable rapidity. Before eighteen months had elapsed, it had grown to such an extent in buildings and residents. that on this account, as well as the prospective benefits resulting from its local position to the whole community, the people by a majority of votes selected it as the capital of Nebraska. Towards the close of the year 1868, the seat of Government was removed from Omaha, and permanently located at Lincoln. A suitable building having been prepared for that purpose, the Legislature met here in January, 1869. Considerable progress has been made in establishing public buildings and institutions here. The main portion of the capitol has been built of handsome white limestone, and the foundations of a State University and an Insane Asylum are laid. A Penitentiary and an Agricultural College are to be erected here, having been authorized by the Legislature at its last session. The town is built on the open prairie in the midst of a delightfully healthy, beautiful and fertile country. The population is about 2000, and is increasing rapidly. Three newspapers are published here. OMAHA, Sometimes called Omaha City, the largest and most important city of the State, is situated in Douglas county, on the west bank of the Missouri River, opposite the city of Council Bluffs, in Iowa. It is 18 miles above the mouth of the Platte River, 80 miles northeast of Lincoln, and 250 miles by river above St. Joseph, Missouri. The city lies on a plateau between the river and the bluffs. From the summits of the bluffs a magnificent view of the wide and undulating prairie is obtained. The city is regularly laid out. The streets are wide, cross each other at right-angles, and are paved with stone, with side-walks of brick. The principal public buildings are the old State House, and the Court House. The former is of brick, and occupies a commanding site. The city contains about 11 or 12 churches, several good public and private schools, and 5 newspaper offices. It is lighted with gas, and is governed by a Mayor and Council. In 1870, the population was 16,083. The Missouri is navigable for large steamers for some distance above Omaha, and the city carries on a considerable river trade. Omaha is connected with all parts of the country by railway, being connected with Council Bluffs by a steam ferry. It is the eastern terminus of the Pacific Railway, and is, consequently, a place of considerable im |