The idea for a public university in the Kansas Territory was first mentioned by Territorial Governor Andrew Reeder on July 3, 1855. He gave a speech to members of the first territorial legislature, saying: "To enlarge upon the necessity of general education for producing good government," he told the lawmakers, "would be at this day a work of supererogation, and I leave the matter in your hands, confident it will receive the attention it deserves." After his speech, the session responded by creating a system of common schools for the territory. They also approved a charter for a "University of the Territory of Kansas," proposed to be built in Douglas, Kansas (near present-day Lecompton). However, this proposed university was never built.