The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-04-12
The Kansas Committee.

The following are the Resolutions under
which the Committee of the House of Re-
presentativcs proceed to Kansas to take tes-
timony in the Whitfield and Reeder case.
1t will be perceived that the Committee are
clothed with summary powers:
Resolred, That Committee of three of the
members of the House, to be appointed by
the Speaker, to proceed to inquire into and
collect evidence in regard to the troubles in
Kansas generally, and particularly in regard
to any fraud or force attempted or practiced
in reference to any of the elections which
have taken place in said Territory, either
under the law organizing said Territory, or
under any pretended law which may be al
legged to have taken effect therein Since
That they should fully investigate and take
proof Of all violent and tumultous proceed
ings in said Territory, at any time since the
passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, " n,
ther engaged in by residents of said Terri,
tory, or by any person or persons elsewhere
going into said Territory, and doing or en-
couraging others to do, any act of violence
or public disturbance against the laws of the
United States, or the rights, peace and sefety
of the residents of said Territory; and for
that purpose said Committee shall have
power to send for and examine, and take
copies of all such papers, records and pro-
ceedings, as in their judgment will be useful
in the premises; and, also, to send for per-
sons, and examine them on oath or affirma-
ton, as to matters within their knowledge
touching the matter of said investigation
and such Committee by their chairman, shall
have power to administer all necessary oaths
or affirmations connected with their afore-
said duties.
Reso.red further, That said Committee
may hold their Investigations at such places
and time as to them may seem advisable,
and that they have leave of absence from
the duties of this House until they shall have
completed such investigation. That they be
authorized to employ one or more Clerks,
and one or more Acknowledgements
to aid them in their investigation; and may
administer to them an oath of affirmation
faithfully to perform the duties assigned to
! them respectively, and to keep secret oil
matters which may come to their knowledge
| touching the investigation as said Committee
may direct, until the report of the same shall
be submitted to this House ; and said Com
mittee may discharge any such Clerk, ol
Assistant Sergeant-at- Arms, for neglect Of
duty or disregard OF instructions In the
premises, and employ other under like regu
lations.
Resozued, further, That if any person shall
in any manner obstruct or hinder said Com
mittee, or attempt so to do, in their said
investigation, or shall refuse to attend OF
said Committee, and to give evidence wher
summoned for that purpose, or shall refus'
to produce any paper, book, public record
or proceeding in their possession or control
to said Committee when so required, or shal
make any disturbance where said COMMITTEE
lis holding its sessions, said Committee may
if they see fit, cause any and every sucl
person to be arrested by said Assistan
Sergeant-at-Arms, and brought before thi
House to be dealt with as for contempt.
;. Resolued, further, That for the purpose Q
defraying the expenses of said commission
there be, and hereby is, appropriated th
sum of $4,000, to be paid out Of the con
tingent fund of this House.