The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-29
NO. 465.
KANSAS CONVENTION.

AS late rs the LIST instant, this body was in
session, in earnest discussion upon articles of
the proposed State Constitution.
The question of the exclusion Of free negroes
was prominent one, and it was agreed to leave
this to vote of the people, when voting en- the
Constitution itself.
A resolution was referred, instructing the
Committee on Banks to provide a clause for
free banking, to be also submitted TO the people
The committee appointed on the militia re-
ported a plan of organization, providing that
the militia shall consist of all able white male
citizens between the ages of eighteen ard forty
FIVE years. Qui:e debate arose on the motion
to strike out the word " white" The motion
was lost-yeas 7, nays %.
The elective franchise is to be confined to
white male persons, twenty-one years of age
who are citizens Of the United States, have re.
sided six months in the Territory, thirty DAYS
IN the county, ten days in the precinct, and who
shall have paid tax within the year, assessed
at least ten days before the election at which
the vote is offered. Soldiers, sailors. and ma
rines, of the United States, are excluded. The
people are to vote by ballot, and the Legisa.
ture EZRA oOce.
On the 18th, a resolution was introduced, ap
proving the principles of non,interventon enun
ciated in the Nebraska Kansas act. Upon this
an animated discussion arose. and the resolu-
ton was finally laid on the table, subject to
CALL
In regard to State organization q warm
discussion ensued. We give the report of the
st. Louis Democrat:
"Mr. Schuyler, of Council City, opened with
an able speech against the organization of a
State Government before the decision of Con-
gress in relation to admitting Kansas as a
State. Mr.. Schuyler is a speaker of great abil-
ity, conservative, but liberal in his political
ideas. His digni6ed demeanor, Just discrimi-
nation. and sound Judgment, give weight to his
opinions on all questions he debates In refer
ring to the fact, assumed as an incOntrovertible
proposition by the advocates of an immediate
organization that the House of Representatives
would instantly pass bill admitting Kansas as
State, he said he believed We had more 70 fear
from our friends than enemies; that the Free
Soil party of the North had made ARRANGEMENTS
to carry On the next Presidential campaign on
the Kansas question: and would therefore II
any excuse was given them to do so, refuse to
settle the troubles created by the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise by our immediate admis-
SION He opposed it also on the ground that,
if We were admitted, the Territorial Government
and the Free State organization would come in
conflict. He said that Governor Shannon. in IA
conversation with him, had not only expressed
his firm determination TO carry out the laws of
the Barons of the Shawnee Mission, but given
him to understand that he had authority from
President Pierce to call out the military force
to assist him in their execution. The discus
sion closed about ten clock, after Judge Wake
field had spoken in favor of, and DR.. Robinson
against, immediate organization
On the subject of the population of the Ter
ritory, it was stated on one side, by Mr.. Lane,
that there were from forty to fifty thousand in
habitants and on the other, by Mr.. Latta, that
there were not more than twenty to twenty-five
thousand.
Judge S. G. Caddo, appointed in place of
Hon. k. Gilmore, had arrived at the Shawnee
Mission, to enter at once upon his duties. The
latter still adheres to his determination to CON
test his claim to the Office.
The ceremony Of breaking ground upon the
site of the future capital of the Territory was
performed with great ceremony at Lecompton
on the oath instant Governor Shannon deliver
ing an address or the occasion.
1t is said that the special election in the
Leavenworth district, for the location of the
county seat, has been set aside by Governor
Shannon, because it was controlled evidently
by Mssourians. The number OF votes was so
much larger than the number of voters, that
there could be no doubt Of the true state of the