New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-11-17
FROM KANSAS
PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATE CONyEN-
TION.

TOPEKA, K. T., Friday, Oct %, 1853
The convention was called this morning, and
after some unmportant matters, resolutions, aud
80 nth, resolution was introduced by one OF the
delegates from Leavenworth indorsipg the Kansas
Nebraska bill. The object Of this vas to indorse
the squatter sovereignty feature, or supposed
feature of the bill the resolution setting forth
preamble not very ineligible, but which urged
the principle Of the people Of the Territory govern
ing themselves, the friends of the resolution evi
IDENTIFY accepting the opinion that the celebrated
Kansas Nebraska bill really contained the principle
of popular sovereignty. AS this Endorsement
might enbOdy more than either this convention or
the people of Kansas might be inclined to support
it called up the first discussion that has taken
place, and elected little of the spirit Of the con-
veBtion. In order to understand the proceedings
it is necessary to know that there are men here
who have favored and still favor the squatter SOW
ereenty principle, and some Of whom voted for the
bill under this speciOus aspect oft. The intro
duction of the resolution called up what little OF
the old Wing and Democratic elements lineer in
this body and also little of the regard some few
of those present have for the Administration, in
the hope that Pierce & Co. will yet do better than
they have done. As the members Of the conven-
ton had not altogether resolved in their own minds
all the aspects Of the matter, and wished to be
careful what positions were taken, amendments
and resolutions to postpone followed each other,
and were pretty equally balanced; but whenever
the real question OF indorsDg the bill was touched
it was evident that the convention would not sus-
tain it. The spirit manifested is a most healthy
one for while there is perfect unanimity on the
subject of freedom for Kansas, there is careful
guarding of all the separate interests Of the Ter
ritory. The resolution stands indefinitely post
poned, but there is little doubt that the subject
will be called up again in some shape.
Some little discussion ensued on the report Of
the committee ON printing. This is to be paid in
Kansas scrip, to be issued on the prospective
credit of the Commonwealth of Kansas. A careful
spirit of prudence was manifested in the discussion
ard the result the necessary provision being made,
but nothing more.
This afternoon is set apart for the consideration
of report introduced by the chairman Of the com
mite on public debt and public works, authorizing
the contracting of public debt for public pur.
poses, such as meeting present exigencies, or de.
tending the Territory in case of invasion, the
amount of any debt to be incurred to be within
certain limits unless by sanction Of popular
vote.
The weather is now milder and the cold wind
that made these prairies go bleak for few days
has ceased. There is some rumOr that Gov. Shan
non will call the Stringfeow legislature together
again, which think is doubtful. have seen the
governors letter to Col Medary of Ohio, in which
be discaims the Pro-Slavery sentiments ascribed
to him in his speech at Westport, just as he was
about entering the Territory. This letter meets
with good deal of ridcule here; it is regarded as
the last stupid step Of what is almost too stupid to
be called course of policy. The impression
here now is that his appointment will not be con-
frmed by the Senate.
Perhaps you have heard of the local county
election in the county in which LeavenwOrth is
situated. Here the fire eaters, who have made
regular business of viola ing the sacredness Of the
bsllotbox, and perpetrating frauds on the cleo
tions in the Territory have turned their operations
against each other Their two prominent points
we're Kiekapoo and Leavenworth, which polled
some eight hundred votes apiece; although where
they get them, even from Missouri, is puzzle. As
the interests in opposition appealed to Gov Shan
non, although he has been rather oblivous to such
irregularities hitherto be stepped in with the arm
Of the law and arrested the whole proceedings;
Gin ger. ly trust that he will be equally awake to
this enormity in future.
The county officers elected by the Legislature at
Shawnee Mission appear not to have made the
slightest attempt to enforce their authority; in
deed, they are well aware that with the sentiment
of the citizens of Kansas the attempt would be
as ridiculous as it would be futile. The sheriff Of
cne county lives in Westport, Missouri, and proba
bly most of them live somewhere in that State :
you can hear nothing of them here.
topeka, K. T., Tuesday Oct. 80, 1855.
1.-The plot thickens!" The laggsrd footsteps Of
organic legislation, which have been dragging on
within the past week, begin to develop the clogs
which retard, and the aim and design Of the few
politicians who have crept into this body, as they
creep into all bodies and endeavor to divert popu
lar sentiment from its legitimate objects Here,
at Topeka, the intiatory steps Of new political
dodge are being taken and out of the elements now
at work here, statesmen who have brought upon
themselves deserved political ruin, hope to draw
sufficient means for political resuscitation, BY d.
verting the action of this convention into Pc
culiar channel. For days past l have had rea-
son to suspect what l am about to declare,
but was not certain, and did not wish for
an instant to give publicity to anything which
might be unfavorable to the proceedings of the
convention, even indirectly. Now am left no
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