The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1856-12-27
For Ns Herald Of Frssdoe
FRANKL1s, Dec. 26. 1856,

of the relief funds, sent to Kansas for
the benefit of the Free State men, in
order to enable them to remain in the
Territory; and as the Kansas Central
Committee have said they desire to
hold an open hand before the public,
but have done nothing in that direc-
ton but publish partial list of articles
given out by them, with thenames Of
the receivers; and as sH. Z. p in your
21st number, with hundreds of Others,
are anxious to know what has become
of the funds sent to the Committee for
Kansas sufferers, l thought I would,
as an original member of the Central
Committee, do what / could to CRAFTY
that wish, by telling what I know
about their operations in the disburse-
ment of the funds. In doing which,
for the information of all, Twill briefly
notice the origin of the Kansas Cen
trail Committee, its original designs,
its subsequent connection with the re-
lief funds of the East, and its opera
tion during my connection with it, DC.
The Committee was constituted by
a mass convention held at Topeka, on
the 4th day of July last-immediate-
ly after the Free State Legislature was
disbanded by the U. S. troops under
the command of Col. Sumner, and
mas designed to give direction to the
political operations of the Free State
party, just as central committees of
political parties in the States do. At
least, such was the declaration of III.
N. Moore, who was the author of the
resolutions calling for such commit
tee. The original committee was
composed of eleven members, but VIM.
Hutchinson moved that j. NJ. Win
chell be added, and I moved to add A.
Dow. 1t then numbered thirteen.
Up to the time of Mr.. Arny's first
visit to the Territory, we had no def
mite connection with any committee
in the States. But portion of our
Committee had received, at Topeka,
property sent in by the first trains,
under the direction of the agents of
the National Committee.
At the second meeting of the Com
mittee, held in Lawrence, Mr.. Hillyer
moved that the Committee be paid
for their services, and that they be al
lowed three dollars per day for every
day they held session, and three dol
lars for every twenty miles travel to
and from the place of meeting, which
was adopted. At this time, we were
making an effort to get the control of
Eastern funds designed for Kansas.
At the third meeting in Lawrence,
VIM. Hutchinson presented a paper
for their concurrence, requesting the
National Committee at Chicago to let
Mr.. Blood have three thousand dollars
to purchase merchandize and provi-
sions, and which was to be returned
by him to the Committee, in three in
stalments, in thirty, sixty, and ninety
days, without interest which was
adopted by our Committee.
Mr.. Curtis and Mr.. Hillyer were en-
ployed by the Central Committee, to
ascertain the wants of the people, and
appoint sub committee, at I sup
pose) the same pay members received
for services; this can be determined
only by reports from that commit
tee, oftheir RECEIPTS and disbursements
which, although asked for, they
have not yet given.
When Mr.. Army, the General Agent
of the National Committee, visited us
the first time, he found us in destitute
condition, and having full power from
the National Committee, he refused to
constitute us the disbursing agents oi
that Committee, unless he could have
the privilege of recognizing the
Committee, and adding some others
to it. But after learning that the
Committee was appointed by mass
convention, he agreed that if they
would RE-oRGASIzE, he would be sat,
isfed and he constituted them The
discussing agents of the National
Committee, and at once paid over to
them one thousand doIars-to be dis.
bursed for '.propisio,,s" and "naedi.
cine" for the suffering. At this time
Mr.. Eldridge was made the Genera
Agent Of the Central Committee
The amount due the members of ths
Committee for services, was abou
six hundred dollars. which was paiG
to those present who wished it, by
VIM. Hutchinson, (who was the Sec.
retary and Treasurer, out of the thou
sand dollars received from Mr.. Army
I received seventy-six dollars and
fifty cents; Dir. Curtis and Mr. Hillyel
also received their pay; Mr. Win
chell and VIM. Hutchinson have ais,
received pay; and all other expenses
were paid, or to be paid, out of tn
funds. go
I have now, Mr.. AZ. L." partl,
opened the other haad. I have beer
informed that some of the member
deny holding secret meetings, to carr
out their fayoritism. Come, gentlemen
own up, and open your hands wide
Was not that secret meeting, whel
we voted ourselves three dollars day
and three dollars for every twenty
miles travel? Also, when we yotet
the three thousand dollars to b,
loaned to j. Blood? Mr.. Blood Is !
gentleman who is an exception, In sl
/ Ikave said IN regard to the.acts ofea,
Committee. I believe that the Off
GERS of the National Committee, ana
the people here. have full confidence II
him. You knew. and the, Nationa
COMMITTEES at Chicago know, that ",
| did not only request secresy of them
i5ut demanded q. What kind of 1
meeting was that. when Prof. Daniels
was requested to leave, when We wert
Il know that sII ye00in money wss fecefve5
from the National eemmittes. BY oHr. Com.
mittee, to purchase -four and groceries, prcyi-
] Gus TO Mr.. Arnyis present visit