Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-09-25
PLYMOUTH, IND. SEPTEMBER 25 1886

ton or Indictment. against any person or
persons for any illegal violation or disre-
gard whatever of what are usually known
as the laws of the legislature Of Kansas,
shall be forthwith dismissed by the courts
whore such prosecutions may be pending,
and every person who may be restrained Of
his liberty by reason of any Of said prose
cu;ions shall be released therefrom without
delay. Nor snail there hereafter be insti-
tuted any criminal prosecution, in any Of
the courts Of the United States or Of said
Territory, against any person or persons.
forany such charge of treason in the terri
tory prior to the passage of this act, for any
violation or disregard Of said legislative
enac:ments at any time.
SEC. lG. Ana he d.t1ndc. enacted. That
all justices Of the peace, constables, sherifrs,
and all other judicial and ministerial Off
GERS, who shall be in Office within ;he lin
its Of said Territory when this act shall
take effect, shall be, and they are hereby.
authorized and required to continue to OK
ercise and perform the duties Of their res
peciye offices IS officers Of the Territory
of Kansas, temporarily. and until thy, or
others, shall be duly appointed and qualiii-
ed to I'll their places in the manner herein
directed or until lhcir Offices shall be abol-
sbed.
Il will be observed that these Two see
tion5 recognize the validity and binding
force OF the entire code Of laws enacted NJ
the Shawnee Mission, by the legislature Of
Kansas Territory. and provide for the faith
ful execution Of all those cnacimcnts OK
cept the criminal code. All Justices of the
peace. cons;abics, sherifs, and MI other
Judicial and ministerial officers. now In Of
fee, are required to continue to exercise
and perform he duties Of their respective
Offices All these officers, with the cxcep.
+ ton Of the governor, three judges, secrcta-
" and marshal, and district attorney,
were elected or appointed under The laws
enacted by the Legislature ofKmsaS, while
their powers, functions and duties are all
prescribed by those laws, aud noe others.
These officers are all required TO continue
10 perform the duties of their respective
Offices, by observing and enforcing all the
laws enacted at the Shawnee Mission, cx-
cept the criminal code. "All sui.s. pro-
cesscs AMI proceedings, civil and criminal
Al law and in chancery. and all the indic;-
mcnis and informalions, which shall be
pending and undetermined in the courts Of
the Territory Of kansas or New Mexico.
when dis aci shall take effect shall remain
in said courts where pending, to be heard,
tlied pyosccu ed, and determined, in such
courts. As THoran THIS ACT HAD Nor EEEN
Passed The election laws, and the laws
concerning slaves and slavery, and ali laws
protecting the rights Of persons and prop
crly, affecting the relations Of life, are re
cogniscd as valid and required to be on
forced. EXCEPT CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS, br
INFORMATION OR INDICTMENT for violating or
disregarding the laws of the legislature Of
Kansas; all such prosecution arc required
10 be forthwith dismissed, and the prison
ers set ai liberty, and no new prosecutions
are to be commenced for "any violation or
disregard Of said legislative enacimenis 1t
any time Such is the legislation provi-
ded for in these two sections Of the bill
They recognise Tie validity of the laws en-
acted at Shawnee Mission, and provide for
the enforcement of all Of them except in
cases of criminal prosecution. Your com
mi.tce are unable to perceive how the pass
age Of such Il bill would restore peace. qui
ct and security TO the people of Kansas =
L has been alleged that there are in tha;
Territory organized bands of desperate and
lawiess men. who are in the constant habit
of perpeira,ng deeds of Violence murder
Iii0 diii pluiu'iiti1 tii' iIilsiti.ditN, Stt"h-
ING thir property, burning their houses and
driving peaceable citizens from the polls
on election day. and even from the Terri
tory. The remedy proposed in the bill is
to grant TO the perpetrators If these crimes
a general amnesty for the past, and a full
license in the future TO continue their bloody
work.
There is no law in force in Kansas. by
which murder. robbery, larceny, arson
and other crimes known TO the criminal
codes Of all civilized states can be punish
ed. except under the code enacted by the
Legislature at the Shawnee Mission. tt
provision Of "An act for the punishment
of crimes against tie United States. ap-
proved April 80, l79J. is by these terms
confined in It's application to such crimes
rs shall be committed within any fort.
arsenal, dockyard, magazine, or other
place or district Of country; under the sole
and exclusive jurisdiction Of the l. States