Squatter sovereign., 1855-06-26

are not satisfied with having large ma
| jority of their friends and fellow-citizens
i'll the Kansas Legislature, but are deter
mined to have it composed unanimously OF
such persons. We understand that ti1ev
intend TO expei the Kansas members, IN
spite of the Governors certificates, and fill
the vacant places with their own favorites.
Against this we have nothing TO say to
Them For protection against their tyranny
and violence, we look to the supreme ar-
thority of the Federal Government. if not
before, at least when the next Congress
shall have assembled. But as some of
their tribe affect to regard such proceed
ing as within the legitimate scope of legis-
lative authority, the law in the case re-
comes matter of interest. We have ex-
amined the law of Kansas Territory. which
is, of course, the only law on the subject !:
and we regard such an assumption of pow
er on their part, as not only without the ar,-
thority of law, but clearly and directly
against it. The power of the Governor to
decide; decisively and finally. as 10 the
night OF persons to act as members OF the
first Legislature of Kansas, is Just as clear
as his power TO approve or reject any act
of the Legislature, and just as far beyond
the reach of Legislative control. 1t is ex-
pressly declared, in the 25th section of the
organic act, that 'the persons having the
highest number of legal votes in each of
the Council Districts for members Of the
Council, shall be declared by the Govern
or to be duly elected to the Council; and
the persons having the highest number of
legal votes for the House of Representa-
tives, shall be declared by the Governor to
be duly elected members of the said House.
This is the description of persons-per-
sons who have received the highest num-
her of legal votes, and been declared by
the Governor duly elected-and no other
persons, who are authorised at any time,
or IN any way to act, as members of the
first Kansas Legislature. The Legislature
of Kansas ESQ called) might declare all
the people in Missouri duly elected but
under the organic act of the Territory the
declaration must be made By the Governor,
respecting all those who become legally
qualified to act as members of the Legis.
lature. The idea that that body has ali in
herent right to determine the qualifications
OF its own members, which we have heard
advanced, is perfectly absurd 1t might
just as well be said that the Legislature
has an inherent light TO enact all laws sole
ly by its own power, without the approval
OF the Governor. The fact is, the Legis-
lamre has an inherent right to do nothing
which would be inconsistent with the or
ganic act of the Territory; and any at
tempt to organise the Legislature, so far
as to compose 1t OF persons not declared
by the Governor to be duly elected, would
not only be inconsistent with the organic
act, but absolutely against it. No such at
tempt can therefore be made by the Leg
islature without violent usurpation of
power. But this is, of course, Just what
we calculated on. Those people who SO
rcckIessly invaded cur Territory aud tram
pied down our rights, need not be expect
ed to pause in their work of violence be-
cause the Law or the Constitution inter-
poses difficulty. Legal or Constitutional
barriers are readily abated by the strong
arm"
The above are the arguments of the
wiseacre who controls the Kansas Herald
of Freedom. He and Governor Reeder
differ IN toto. Governor r. admits that
the Legislature of Kansas Territory has
the sole right to decide contested elections,
and that his certificate of election is only
primo tdcae. not conclusive, evidence of
| election. He says 1t might just as well
be said that the Legislature has an inhe.
rent right to enact all laws solely by its own
power without the approval of the Gov
ernor.'
They hare the right by the act itself to
do just Mis thing, and fortunately they
have the power too. Two-thirds can make
law without the Governors approval and
if Reeder comes back, they expect to make
all their laws just that way. They expect
to pass them over his veto, and some OF
them no doubt will not be much to the
taste of the editor of the above journal.
FARMING IN KANsAs-Many of ths,
claim-hoiders in the vicinity of Atchison
are making large farms Every team in
the neighborhood is busily engaged in
breaking prairie, and great many labo-
rers are employed in building fences. A