Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-08-07

County at the latter place under the lead OF
Gen B. F. Stringfeliow and Col. Lewis Barhes,
of Missouri. From two of the election precincts
at which it was alleged there was illegal voting
viz; Delaware and Wysndotte, your Commit
tee failed To obtain the attendance of witnesses
Your Committee did not deem it necessary In
regard to this election to enter into details, as
IL was manifest that from there being but one
udidate-Gen Whitfeld-he must have re-
ceiyed majority of the votes cast. This eec-
ton. therefore, depends not on the number or
character of the votes received, but upon the
validity of the laws under which it was held.
Sufficient testimony was taken to show that the
voting of the citizens Of Missouri was practiced
ut this election, Us at all former elections in the
Territory :,
While these enactments of the alleged Legis-
latiye Assembly we're being made, a movement
was instituted to form State Government and
apply for admission into the Union US State.
The first step taken by the people of the Terri
tory, in consequence of the invasion OF March
30, 1855, was the circulation for signatures OF
graphic and truthful memorial to Congress,
YOUR Committee find that every allegation in
this memorial has been sustained by the tcst-
monv. No further step was taken. as it was
hoped that some action by the General Govern
ment would protect them in their rights
When the alleged Legislative Assembly proceed
ed to construct the series Of enactmens referred
to, the settlers were of opinion that submission
to them would result in depriving them of tho
rights secured to them by the organic law
Their political condition was freely discussed in
the Territories during the summer of 1855 =
Several meetings were held in reference to hold
ing Convention to form State Government
and to apply ior admission into the Union as II
State. Public opinion gradually settled in fa-
vor Of snch an application to the Congress to
meet in December, 1855. The first general
meeting was held in Lawrence on the 18th of
August 1855.
The following preamble and resolut ions were
then passed -
Whereas, The people Of Kansas have been,
since its settlement, and now are, without any
law. making power; therefore be it
b" Resoiusd, That we tie people of Kansas
Territory, IN mass meeting assembled, prospect
i've of party distinctions, influenced by common
necessity, and greatly DESTROYS OF promoting
the common good, do hereby call upon and re-
quest all bona fde citizens Of Kansas Territory,
Of whatever political views or predictions, to
consult together in their respective Election
Districts, and in mass convention or otherwise
elect three delegates for each representative to
which said Election District is entitled in the
House of Representatives of the Legislative
Assembly, by proclamation Of Gov. Keeder, Of
date 10Th of March, 1855; said delegates are
to assemble in Convention in the town of To-
peka on the 10Th day Of September, 1855, then
and there to consider and determine upon all
subjects of public interest, and particularly up
ON that having reference to the speedy forma-
ton OF State Constitution, with an intention
of an immediate application to be admitted as
State into the Union Of the United States of
America"
Other meetings were held in various parts of
the Territory, which endorsed the action of the
Lawrence meeting. and delegates were selected
in compliance with its recommendations.
They met at Topeka, on the 10Th day of
September, 1855. By their resolutions they
provided for the appointment OF an Executive
Committee, to consist of seven persons, who
were required to keep record Of their pro-
ceedings, and shall have q general superinten-
dance of the affairs of the Territory, SO far as
regards the organization Of the State Govern
ment." They were required to take steps for
I'm election to be held on the second Tuesday Of
the October following, under regulations impos
cd by that Committee, I" for members Of Il Con-
gention to form "a Constitution, adopt u Bill
of rights for the people of Kansas and take all
ncedful measures for organizing State Gov
eminent, preparatory to the admission Of Kan
sus into the Union as State" The rules pre-.
scrbed were such as usually govern elections in
most States of the Union, and in most respects
} were similar to those contained in the procla.
) nation of Coy. Recder for tho election I"
March 80 1855
The Executive Committee, appointed by that
D ConVention, accepted their appointment, aud
: erteTed upon the discharge Of their duties by
issuing n proclamation addressed to the ga
7 voters Of Kansas requesting them to meet Al
their several Precincts, ut the time and placer
: named in the proclamation, then and there t
| cast their ballots for members of a Constitution
, al Convention, to meet at Topeka on the fourth
Tuesday of October then next.
! Tho proclamation designated the places o
elections, appointed Judges. rccited the quail
fca,ions of voters, and tho apportionment o
: members Of the Convention
Alter this proclamation was issued, public
| meetings were held in every District in the Ter
8 ritory, md in nearly every precinct. The Stat
| movement was general topic Of discussion
throughout the Territory, and there was bu
little opposition exhibited toit. Elections wer'
, held at the time and places designated, and thu
: returns were sent to the Executive Committee
t The result eff the election was proclaimed by
the Executive Committee, and the members ecc
t we're required to meet on the 23d day of Octo
0 Der, 1855. ut Topeka. In pursuance Of thi
r proclamation and direction. the Constitutions
: Convention met at the time and place appoint
ed, and formed II State Constitution. me
r mortal to Congress was also prepared, praying
0 for the admission of Kansas into the Union un
e der that Constitution. The Convention also
r provided that the question of the adoption o
/. the Constitution and other questions be sub
mitted to the people, and required the Execu
Q tive Committee to take the necessary steps TO
| that purpose.
e Accordingly, an election was held for tina
: purpose on the 10Th day of December, 1855, il
0 compliance With tho proclamation issued by tn
Q Executive Committee, and an abstract of then
0 is contained in the following table.
We have room to give only, from the table
the whole number of votes cast in thirty min
. towns, as follows
+, oonstitu- Banking Negroes and Votes
0 ton Law. Mulattoes. cast
Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No
/ Total, 1881 46 1870 564 1887 553 III.
. N B.--Poll book at Leavenworth was DIES
! troyed.
II The Executive Committee then issued a proc
! laination reciting the results of the election O
the 10Th OF December and ut the same tim
e provided for an election to 10 held on the l5t
y day OF January, 1856 for State Officers an
Is Members OF the General Assembly of the Stat
i OF Kansas. An election was accordingly he'll
& in the several election precincts, the returns q
q which were sent To the Execntiun Cnmnitfna