The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-31

that election, the character or
which ruled at the time than five months before of
the election Ut General WHITFIELD This election was held Ia
conformity with the proclamation OF Governor Reeder,
and the rules laid down by him lie provided how pro-
tests should be made against fairness regularity of the
electons Protests made in and he, upon
canvassng the returns granted certificates Of election TO
eleven couucimen and seventeen representatives and re-
fused certificates to two councmen and nine representa-
tyes and ordered election to take place the Gath
May 1855 This election accordingly held; and the
persons returned by the judges elected duly received
certificates of election according TO law. The Legislature,
thus elected and thus recognised, was by proclamation
convened legislature the I'd day OF july 1888, IL
accordingly assembled and Governor Reeder knowing
every member and how elected or he had had that ques
on officially before him. sends in his message II begins
\ as follows;
" 10 the honorable he council aud house Of representatives
I Of the Territory ef kansas
'Havng been duly notified that yor respective bodies
herewith submit 10 yoa the usual executive
relative subjects legislation, which universal and long
continued analogous cases would seem to demand
although no express of it be found in the
Of Congress which has brought into official existence,
:" The position which we occupy, and the solemn trust
which eondd to for originating the laws and intu-
ons, and moulding the destine Of new republic in the
very geographical Of vast and magnificent con-
federation cannot but mpne,; e Win deep % ana so,s%n
and amonsh lay aside all selfish and equivocai motives.
oiarg 10 each other With pure hearts, tempered feelings,
and sober Judgments to address ourselves to our task and
sees cork the that expect to add to the
national banner shall be dmmcd by tant or tarnish OF
|
men n '@f
say this House and the country that he did not then
pretend that there any interruption in the freedom Of
that election. He makes exceptions the score OF
want Of compliance with his regulations &c-nothing
else. have before good deal OF other evidence on
this branch OF the subject but forbear it ask,
however, this lawful legislature The Legislature
having duly organized the question was raised as 70 the
legality OF the election held the oath Of May in other
words the right of Gov Reeder to refuse certificates to
those returned by the judges as having majority q the
and cave the seats to those who had majority Il tbs
at the election the 30th of March, three OF whom
were also elected on the oath of May.
1t is remarkable fact that in the majority and
minority reports of the Committee OF Elections which were
the assembly of Kansas that occasion, not
single word said in regard the alleged interruption
by armed men from Missouri of the freedom of election
hope gentlemen of the other side will bear this IN mind
hope it will not be forgotten BY the gentleman from Penn
sygania who close this debate Here the majority
reporwhat does il say? After going great vari-
ETY. of matters, it goes on to say
upon what ground then, these elections set aside
they apprehend majority OF the members OF this house. are
at loss to know"
What does the minority report say? 1t is elaborate
report by Mr. HoUsToN He states all the grounds in sup
port Governor Reeders views There is not whisper
Of any disturbance at the election. 1t says:
~ cannot agree this body has the right (meaning
who by virtue of his Office is the organized federal OF
federal government for this Territory for the obvious
Congress makes him the sole Judge OF the quah-
cations for membership"
And when the question finally acted on four Of the
six members expelled from their seats entered their pro-
test as follows; e
nPporr.r We the undersigned members Of the house
of representatives Territory believe the organic
organizing the said Territory gives this house no power
the that this house cannot go behind
election called By a W wound sns eSs
proceeding and ask this protest to be spread
upO" Wy ~ '1' JOHN HUTCHINSON,
WILLIAM LIAM, LESSEE +, Ell, rs
"E ID. LADD."
Nor is this all the case The governor having convened
the legislature Pawnee City said to be one OF his spec
ulations where there were sufficient accommodations,
the legislature resolved as follows;
Re.oped By The Of representatives. Of the Territory
of Kansas (e council concurring herea That the ieg-
D sS to meet again on Monday the 18th day july
1885, at two o'clock, M at the shawnee hanuai-Iaoor
And on the day the following resolution was also
/ adopted by both houses
Reoued That committee of three be appointed on the
part Of the council to act in conjunction with committee on
be part house OF representatives. TO inform bis excel
ncy governor that the Legislative assembly viii adjourn
this afternoon to meeton Monday The 10th instant 2. .hs
i The governor resisted this removal but followed the
i legislature its location. On the 2ls OF July the
returns certain bills with his veto in an elaborate
4 message, in which he says: 8sHLA
al acc nothing in the bills to prevent my sanction of them;
my for dsapProva have been dSaetss. .nse
paed BY you as necesry esung from 'ne OPINION ''
4 lie further says: M
seems plain that the legislature In session,
far as concerned Is in contravcntion OF the act
Congress- and whore they have right to s and can
make no valid legislation"
i Finally however he closed his official relation TO the
Il legislature and to Kansas BY the following message
To the honorable the members Of the council and honss
\ : resentaiipe. Of the Territory IF Kansas
GrsrLEmrw Although in my message to yeur bodies nm
der date OF the 2st instant futimo stated that
able Ia convince myse OF the legality Of session At this
psce for reasons then given and although that opinion still
romans unchanged, yet, nasmuch not
body and the bills passed by houses
that should you that after your adjournment OF
terday received official notification that my functions as
governor Of the Territory of Kansas terminated NO
having arrived Secretary Woodson will OF course
perform the duties OF the Office as acting governor
1 A. III. REEDER.
Now Mr.. Speaker beg tho attention OF this House TO
these simple facts The governor recognises the legisln
ture In his annu message the rst transmitted to
that legislature lie recognises il legitimate body af
ter having purped il according to his conception Of his
duty The committee of elections in the house Of assem-
bly, embracing both the majority and minority report do
not preend put any action of theirs, action OF
the upon the ground that the freedom OF election
had inerfrred with in the various precincta The
governor himself after the lapse Of months az late ~ Au-
gust goes further and sets forth and assigns other
grounds but he ntmates any thng 70 Auect
the validity Of the legislature upon the score OF rufAnsn
Here then say is coemporary evidence from numerous
and oicia quarters capable of furnishing upon
this snbct which allows Of question. II leads us TO
ono ony that is that all these attempts to
-. zC tl.F F~~~la~ 20