e can't tell you what bills your state senator is
supporting in Lincoln this month, but we can assure
you that your senator isn't sitting in the legislative
chamber with his or her feet propped up on the desk.
We can't say the same for earlier generations of Nebraska
legislators.
Prior to the first legislative session in the house and senate
chambers of the new state capitol, the Lincoln Star on
September 26, 1932, speculated about how the lawmakers
would adapt to their new quarters. (Nebraska had a
traditional two-house legislature until 1937.) Evidently it was
common for legislators meeting in the old capitol building to
rest their feet on their desks, but this indulgence would not
be possible in the new chambers, and some members were
not happy about it.
"Two very commodious and ornate halls have been
provided in the new capitol as permanent meeting places
for the Nebraska state senate and house of representatives,
which those bodies will occupy beginning with next winter's
session. The rooms and their furnishings are far beyond
anything ever before used by a lawmaking assembly in this
state in point of convenience, luxurious appointments, and
decorative beauty; but some solons, no doubt, will discover
things to criticize and find fault with.
"One objection already advanced to the seating of the
chambers is that it will not be possible for legislators to get
their swivel chairs in position where they can comfortably
elevate their feet to the top of their expensive walnut desks.
This is because both the chairs and the desks are screwed
down fast to the floor, and the chair does not sit far enough
from the desk to permit its occupant to assume such a
posture.
"Also, the swivel part of the chair is fixed so as to turn
only half way around – that is, the sitter can swing to the
right or to the left, but cannot make a full circuit so as to
face backward. That prevents him from sticking his brogans
up on the desk just behind him. It just seems as though
A Brief History
Footrests for Nebraska Lawmakers,
1932
NSHS
RG2141-38-4
12 NEBRASKAland • MARCH 2017
The Nebraska House of Representatives meeting in the new capitol, 1933.
By the Nebraska State Historical Society
W
