Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-17
THE KANSAS ELECTION-UsURPA-
~ TION.

voted friends"
THE KANSAS ELECTION-UsURPA
TION.
The Baltimore Sun, Of yesterday, gives
some extracts from letter written from Fort
Leavenworth, under date Of the 18th Instant
by William G. Matthias, esq.,, (late of West
minister, Maryland,) clerk to the Territorial
Court of Kansas one of which extracts we
subjoin together with some PREDATORY remarks
by the Sun, as follows:
at is said that Governor Reeder, of Kansas,
viii refuse to give certificate of election to the
delegate Just chosen to represent that Territory
in Congress, because of the illegality OF votes.
A large party from Missouri having entered Kan
sas on election day, to secure the choice of pro-
slavery candidate. This invasion outnumbered
the resident citizens of Kansas. The call
upon him to appoint an immediate election of
delegates to the State Legislature has been re-
fused, and the election postponed till spring.
The governor says the memorial was not signed
by citizens of Kansas, but those OF Missouri.
The governor says:
"The pledges of the law must be redeemed,
and it were poor pitiless boon, to have es'
capped from the nomination OF Congress, II we
are only 10 pass uliutT buC iluuuo Va ahObhSA oSe
of selfconstituted rulers, foreign to our soil, and
sharing none Of our burdens, no matter what
NAV be their virtues or their words as men and
citizens at home. II may be very desirable for
gentlemen to live among the comforts OF the
States. with all the accumulated conveniences
and luxuries Of an old home, and make an oc-'
casional expedition into our territory, to ar
rage our affairs, instruct our people and public
officers, and control our government; put IL
does not suit us, and / much mistake the peo-
ple of this Territory il they submit 10 it. One
thing am certain of, that having sworn topper
form the duties Of the Office Of governor with
fidelity, shall renounce or resist 1t IN TREND or
Zoe, and without regard to the locality, the
party, the faction, or the ism, from which 1t
comes"
From the FIRST, we had our doubts about Mr..
Reeder, and those doubts we expressed. But
we canrot help hoping that there is mistake
in regard to the foregoing sentiments imputed
to him. We VII not undertake to decide
whether residents of Missouri voted in the re-
cent election in Kansas. They may or may
not have voted. If they did, however, they had
lust MS much right to exercise suffrage as did
the paid emissaries of the miserable Abolition
SRmigrant Societies" of the North. II they
did rOte, and II they had no right TO rofe, me
Governor of Kansas has no poorer 10 determine
the rdlidity and admissibilty Of their Uotes.
The proposition is plain. The judges OF the
election were empowered 10 receive or reject
profFered votes. Exercising this power, they
made their return, and that return, without any
inquiry or discretion, was binding on the Gov
ernor. The 18th section Of the bill organizing
The Territory, after providing for the election
Of delegate to the House Of Representatives,
says: .
H7he person hacilg he greatest number Of
sotes shall be declared By the Gorenor 10 De
duh elected, and a certificate thereof shall BE-
giuen accordingly"
The same bill, in the clause which defines
the powers Of the Governor, declares that che
shall commission all officers who shall be ap-
pointed to Office under the laws of the said
Territory"
Now the question is simply this Who does
lie Governor commission2 The answer is
lust ms simple. lie commissions the "person
having the greatest number Of votes" How
is that fact ascertained7 By the judges Of the
election, and behind their return the Governor
cannot look. He is bound by it. But suppose
fraud is committed, is there no remedy
There is The Constitution provides that rem
,edy. It says, in speaking Of Congress" Each
House shall be the Judge Of The election returns
and qualifications Of rs otcn members
The election for delegate to the House O
REPRESENTATIVES from Kansas has been held
General Whitfield had Z" the greatest number
Of votes.v Tiie judges Of the election made
that return. II is binding ON the governor
lie has no discretion in the premises HI
must commission him. II his competitor
shall think ct to contest his seat so well auC
so good. He will contest II before the House
of Representatives, which, in the language o
the Constitution, is " the Judge Of the election
returns of it's own members True, delegate
from Territory has no vote in the House
but, qlio dd hoe, he is complete member.
If Governor Reeder has done what IL i'm
puted TO him be has committed gross usurpa
ton. We hope for his own sake, and for tht
sake Of the country, that he has not done Il.