Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-02-28

the boundaries of Kansas, and prohibiting
Slavery in that Territory and Nebraska. Re
ferred to the Committee on Territories.
Tuesday. Feb. 10.
SENATE.-The consideration of the Kansas
question was resumed. MIR Geyer asked Mr.
Wilson on what authority he yesterday stated
that Mr. Atchson went to Kansas armed, to
control the election!
Mr. Wilson replied. on the At thority of Gen.
Pomeroy. On the 18th of March, as stated by
Gen. p, Mr.. Atchison entered the Territory,
armed with bowie knife and revolver, ready to
shed the blood of any man who would not do
his bidding.
Mr.. Geyer did not suppose Gen. 2. made tho
statement on his own authority, but that some
one else had SO reported him. The only time
MIR. Atchison ever crossed the border, so far as
he (Geyer) had been able to learn, was during
the late disturbances. an account of which was
read in the Senate yesterday At that time it
was apprehended that there would DO serious
] collision and loss of life. Then Mr.. Atchison,
with two or three other gentlemen, went into
Kansas for the purpose Of persuading those as
sembled at Wakausa to forbearance and modera-
tim. He went there to counsel peace, not to
excite violence and that wac the only time he
ever went there.
Mr.. Wilson continued-he had simply placed
before the Senate the statement of Gen. Pome
roy, in opposition to the statement of the Sena-
atOr from Missouri. The document from which
he read was prepared by Gen p, and was sign
ed by him and several others. well known in
Kansas and the country, and since its receipt
he had been assured by Gen P. that all its
statements are true, and can be pre- we'd before
J Committee of either House OF Congress. He
, (Mr. Wilson) regarded Mr.. Atchison as the
moving spirit of all the Missouri excitement
from which these disturbances have arisen.
The Speaker alluded in emphatic terms to the
character of Gov Shannon, saying that no was
! the companion of gamblers and drunkards in
California, and that when the Mssourians shot
: down citizen Of Kansas the Governor was 80
intoxicated that he could not attend to his du-
t ty. He could prove these and a hundred other
disreputable things of Gov. Shannon
! Mr.. Jones obtained the floor, and the further
consideration of the subject was postponed until
Monday
HoUsE-Mr. Hickman, from the Committee
n on Elections, offered resolution empowering
t the Committee to send for persons and papers in
a the Kansas contested election case.
MIR. Phelps thought that the exercise of such
!. power would be an usurpation, as Mr. Recder
does not claim that he was elected by virtue of
q the law passed by the Kansas Legislature. He
IS defended his constituents from the charge of
=, being border rufians, which had been reported
n here and elsewhere, and by one Senator, Mr..
le Wilson, who comes from State where men
q warred on defenceless women and burned Ursu-
' line Converts. He earnestly condemned the
Anti Slavery men in Kansas, and claimed that
" the Missourians desire not the shedding of blood,
s. but to sustain the laws
p MIR. Washburn of Maine regretted that Mr..
Phelps had INDUCED in such remarks, which
n were exceedingly exciting not to say inAam.
of matory. large majority of the people Of
ms tins country believe in their hearts that there
~ was no legislature of Kansas. and no law unde,
T which the election had been held, and by which
; W. MIR. Whitfield claims his seat as delegate Th
ne matter should be invested and he asked how
lat could 1t be done unless power to send for person.
tie and papers was granted.
Isl. Mr.. Stephens of Ges remarked that Gov
Reeder himself commissioned the members @
,,s the Legislative Assembly which passed the Law
Tvs under which Mr.. Whitfield, was elected, tn
oe validity of which Mr.. Reeder now called on tn,
House to investigate, consequently all furthe
m proceedings We're stopped by the official acts Q
ted Gov Reeder, who was thus out of his own mout
nm condemned.
MT. CampDell OF ONO said 1T was a well SET
;ss tied principle of law that any statute may b
100 fraud, which violation forms subject 70
ION thorough investigation. On this point tn
- House should be satisfied, and something NOR
1d. was desired on which to form a Judgment tina
mere newspaper report and telegraphic di
patches.
an Mr.. Hickman thought the newspaper report
49, of the difficulties in Kansas had exaggerated c
''0 magnifed either on one or the other side of tn
oi question, according to the sentiments of tn
the writers. 1t is consequently important that tn
nth investigation should be added by the means pre-
ETY. posed. Mr.. Reeder had done all the Act @
.ay Congress required of him in the premises.
I'd. The question was then taken on Mr.. ST,
vas phenss motion, that the request of the Con
mittee on Elections be referred back to the Con
nce mittee, with instructions to report the ground
on which they ask for power to send for person
to and papers. The motion was negatived by Il
the casting vote of the Speaker.
moo Pending the consideration of the main que
orv ton on the resolution to grant the Commit,
0y power to send for persons and paper, the Hous
cry adjourned.