The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-07-07

Report 81 SoO A0oUoo VOo3lVtocs
The following is telegraphic synopsis Of
the report Of the Kansas investigating Com
mittee:
The report shows that, o. soon ~ the bill
organizing the Territory of Kansas was
passed, large number Of the citizens OF
Missouri went into the Territory, held SQUAT
ter sovereignty meetings, passed resolutions
denouncing Abolitionists, and declaring tina,
slavery existed therein. In the autumn OF
1854 secret political society, called the
Blue Lodge, was formed; the plan Of opera
tons of which, with its oaths, etc., are given
in the report. This lodge controlled alI the
subsequent movements and invasions on the
part Of the Missourians, ct the election on
the 18th OF November, 1854, for delegate
to Congress. There was no evidence OF
fraud except in the spsrsely settled and re-
mote districts, whore citizens of Missouri
appeared and voted.
Details in relation to these facts are given
in the report, which says it Is reduced to
mathematical precision, that LOO illegal
and nonresident votes were cast by citisens
Of Missouri. The remainder being legal
votes amounted to l,l00-Mr. Whitfield
would have elected without the aid of his
Missouri votes, he received plurality Of oil
the votes cast.
During the winter Of 1896, great ex-
element existed in the Territory on account
Of the invasion. Public meetings were
held, and much bitter feeling was mani
70 ted.
In 1855 census was taken, and the num-
Der Of legal votes was nscertained to be
1905. Previous to the election in the spring
Of '55, active preparations were made in
Missouri to invade the Territory, and com.
plete organization was effected. Leaders
were chosen, tents, ammunition, provisions
and arms distributed, and the forces were
drilled in companies in Missouri, and on the
day before the election it is testified that at
least 5000 Missourians took up the line of
march for Kansas in companies, and went
into every Representative District OF the
Territory, except one. In detailing the &C.
counts Of these companies and the delara-
tons made by them, a great portion OF the
testimony consists Of extracts from the poll
books, census rolls, &C., showing who were
legal AZ we'll as who were not legal voters,
and from accurate and almost absolute proof,
it appeared that Of about 300 votes cast al
the election for members Of the Territorial
Legislature, 5000 were those OF non resi-.
houses of the Legislature would have
no invasion of Missourians. The Gov.
| ernor had set aside the election il
some Of the Districts, and new electio,
took place on the 22d of May, resulting il
the choice of FREQ State men in those dis
tricts except Leavenworth, where there va,
still illegal voting. The committee took
| laryo ~, ~ ~ tocf;mncv rn~o ~N;cu tkn sec
ceedings Of the legislative assembly, which
proceedings they say are characterized b,
recklessness and injustice. The report like.
wise alludes to the murders, robberies, ant
| and other crimes committed in the Territory
| and claims that in no case except that Of Nc
Rae, a Free State man, was there any prose
| cution for those offences. No Indictment
we're found and no arrests made, and M
measures taken to bring the perpetrators &c
| justice. The report contains full and com
| pl-tc details Of everything connected with
the Territory of Kansas prior to the 10th oil
March last, and saws it is clearly proven thai
SamuelJ. Jones, the Sheriff, was the mar
cause of the recent disturbances in which b,
so prominently figured. 1t is also proved
that Mr.. Oliver, one Of the COMMITTEES, went
into Kansas with one of the invading compa
Mes, and made speech in the l4th Election
District, but it is no, true that be voted
The conclusions of the committee are, thai
| each Of the elections in Kansas were carried
by invasicns from Missouri that consequ
ly the legislative assembly is an illegally con
stituted body and has no power to pass valii
l.ws, therefore its cnactments are void. Tn,
election OF q. w. Whitfield, as Delegate to
Congress, was not I'M Ter any valid laws, no,
81. e -
law. The committee suggest no remedy
The report nlluding to distractions that yer,
thrown in thrown in the way Of the Commit
tee, and to the general violence that preyaill
in the Territory, il very voluminous, an,
is signed BY Messrs. Howard and Sherman