The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-03-22
Organization OF the Kansas Free
state Legislature.
spondence Of the st. Louis Democrat /
TOPEKA, Kansas. March q. '56

TOPEKA, han6hS, Mafeh 4. 90.
The Senate was called to order this morn
ing by the chairman of the executive com
mttee of the Territory. The roll was called
by the Secretary. A quorum being present,
the oath Of office was administered to &.
w. Roberts, who was elected by the people
to the Office Of Lieut.. Governor. On taking
the Chair, he made short speech, after
which the oath of office was administered to
the Senators.
A. F. Allen was elected Clerk, W. Brigden
assistant Clerk. Other officers were elected,
and they all took the oath of Office.
The immaculate Sheriff Jones was present;
and am informed that he took down the
names of the members as they were called
forward to have the oath administered to
them. What his object was in so doing is
not vet known.
The House of Representatives was called
to order by the Chairman of the Executive
Committee Of Kansas Territory the oath Of
office administered and the roll was called by
the Secretary pro TEN. Thirty-two members
responded as their names were called. A
quorum being present, they proceeded to
elect Speaker, and 7. Minard, of Easton,
was declared duly elected. On taking the
Chair he made few appropriate remarks
Joel X. Goodin, of Banton, was elected
Clerk, and Sam'l Tappan, of Lawrence, as
sistant Clerk j. SnodgrasS and 6. +. Cor
don, transcribing Clerks, and j. Mitchell,
Sergeant Arms.
After the election OF Door-keeper, &C.,
message was received from the Senate that
they had organized, and proposed to 20 into
Joint session to witness an Inauguration of
the State officers.
Governor Charles Robinson took the oath
of Office, which was administered by the
President Of the Senate He then delivered
the following address
Fellotc- citizens Of the General assembly:
1t has pleased the people of Kansas to call
MS from oar accustomed duties 10 discharge
high and important trusts. La our keeping,
for a brief period, is placed the Legislative
and Executive power of the new State. To
us the people look for wise and wholesome
laws, and the faithful administration Of the
Government on the true principles of repub-
licanlsm and squatter sovereignty. To the
execution of this trust it will be my pleasure,
no less than my duty, to cooperate with
you in all measures for the good of the peo-
pie.
Our position is peculiar. Although the peo-
pie of Kansas have followed precedents set
them by other new States, sanctioned BY
Congress, and the proceedings of the forma-
tion Of a State government are all regular,
yet for the first time in the history Of our
country, the President and his appointees
characterize the movements as reasonable.
This was not to be expected from the adyo-
Gates of the Kansas N ebraska act, which pro-
fesses to leave the people of the Terrific
rics ''perfec.ly free to form and regulate
their domestic institutions III their own way,
subject only TO the Constitution of the Uni
ted States.'
Also some of the people of the adjoining
States unite with the President in opposing
the people Of Kansas in forming and regula-
ting their own government, and threaten our
destruction if we do not conform to their
dictation. Should the course indicated by
the President and the people of another
State be persisted in, and our rights again
be trampled in the dust BY official interfe-
renee or lawless invasion, the people would
be justified before the world in ASSERTING
their rights by revolution but since it is be-
heyed that Congress will grant to us the
same rights and immunities that it has to
the other States-the people of Missouri and
the Federal Executive TO the contrary not
witlfstandlng-it is better to "suffer while
evils are suflerable than to attempt to right
ourselves by hasty resort TO extreme meas
ures.'
Our course as people, thus far, has been
distinguished for forbearance, long suffering
and patience, and good policy would still die
tate that every honorable effort be made to
establish and cultivate friendly relations with
our oppressors, especially with the people of
our adj Joining sister State Nothing should
be done in spirit of retaliation. but rather
of Cancellation. Although our own rights
have been repeatedly invaded and wrested
from us, let us show that we respect the
Constitution and laws of our country and
the rights of the people of the respective
States, and that until forbearance ceases to
be a virtue and becomes cowardice, and the
oppression becomes insufferabe. we will
ever be found loyal citizens Of the Govern
ment.
Important questions will come before YOU
for consideration, and it cannot be expected
that perfect ananimity can prevail upon any
subject, vet it is desirable and necessary with
the various elements of Legislature in a
new State, that a spirit of concession and
harmony should characterize the members,
that the enactments may carry with them o
moral force that will cause them to be re-
spected by the people.
The position allotted to us by the partial
ity Of our fellow citizens is one Of great re-
sponsiblity, and we need that wisdom which
comes from above, SO 70 direct us that we
may render good account of our actions to
our constituents and posterity.
Other State officers took the oaths Of Of
fee, after which the joint session adjourned
sine die.
The House and Senate came to order, and
special message from the Governor was re-
ceiyed by Gen. Ed. Clark, Private Secretary
TO his ESeellency, announcing that the Office
OF Secretary Of State was vacant bv the abb
sence Of the Secretary elect, p. f. Schuyler,
and that he had appointed Rob't klotz to fill
the vacancy. After which the two Houses
adjourned.
DIRECT FROM LAKE SUPERIoR. in