Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-08-16
Removal of Gov, Reeder,


the removal of Gov. Reeder, are as follows,
which any unprejudiced mind may easily see
were of sufficient Importance to demand the
prompt interference Of the Executive, and that
however unpleasant the duty, nothing less
than his removal from Office could have been
anticipated.
Secretary Marcy charges Gov. Reeder with
speculation in Indian lands in violation of his
duty as Governor OF the Territory. Reeder
demands specification of the particular Of
fence for which he is arraigned. He asserts
In his letter to Mr.. Marcy, that he is left in
the dark as to the precise nature Of the wrong
laid to his account; and expresses his willing
ness to meet any specific charge which may
be brought against him. He denies that he
lands, but admits that he had proposed to do
50, and argues that the Indians are fully COM
petent to sell, and that bargain made with
them for their lands would be legal, provided
the President approved of the sale. The nee
essary documents in this contemplated pur-
chase had been forwarded by Reeder to the
President for his approval but the President
referred them TO the Commissioner on Indian
affairs, who returned them to Reeder as being
informal, improper and incomplete. The
Commissioner also intimated pretty strongly,
on more than one occasion, that appearances
warranted the belief that Reeder was using his
official position as a means of furtherng his
schemes of land speculation. The explana-
ton OF Governor Reeder is hardly calculated
to satisfy an impartial observer that he was
altogether innocent of the charges of unwar-
fantable speculation in the land reserved TO
the Indians, and he has failed to clear.up the
matter as satisfactorily as he should have done.
These reservations were acquired by pur-
chase, and are occupied by their owners, the
Delaware and Kaw Indians They are each
one mile square, and are owned individually
by these Indians, who have partially cultivat-
ed the land. They comprise the most fertile
and desirable strip of land in that half Of the
Territory, and Of course offer no small tempt
alton to Spectators, who can easily gain the
advantage in trading with a SET of savages.-
The lands are so guarded, therefore, by a slip
ulation on the part OF the government, that no
conveyance of them can be made be- the lndi-
ans except under certain regulations, among
which is the consent and approval of the Pres
ident In this case of the Governor of Kan
sas, who first denies the truth of the charge
that he has bought these lands and subsequent
ly admits that he tried and intended to do so,
It is stated that some of the more important
legal forms in such case provided-as for in
stance the witness and certificate Of the Indian
ageni-were not complied with. Reeder
makes general denial of this charge, and JUS
titles any possible omissions of such formali-
ties which may have been made, by his igno-
rance of their necessity.
It seems TO US piece Of improperly for an
official in Gov. Reeder's position to be en-
gagged, as he appears to have been, in gen
eral system of land speculation. 1t is charged
by his opponents that he neglected his duties
as Governor of the Territory for the sake of
carrying on these speculations in land, which
his POSITION and influence as Governor enabled
him to prosecute to great advantage. The
right, as an individual, 10 purchase land, is of
course the same for Governor as for pri-
vale citizen; but Governor Reeder transcends
the privileges and the prophecies of his posi-
ton, if he uses the power vested IN hin as
Governor Of Kansas, to locate the seat of gov
ernment at particular point for the object oil
furnishing his opponents, or Of farshering his
private interests, and without reference TO the
public feeling or the convenience Of the selec-
ton. It does not look well for man, in the
position from which he has been removed. to
be constantly occupied with schemes Of land
speculation for his individual benefit and
neither public opinion nor the custom of the
Government will sanction such course