Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-07-12
Tie Kansas Congressional Committees
Report. s

1LpunC vi Representatives oH Nloluht'fD| ~
Howard chairman of the Committee, amid
storm Of opposition and excitement on the par'
af the Buchanan-k ansas conSplratOrs, should
receive the careful reading of every friend OF
Constitutional Freedom. The Report, though
necessarily voumnous in character is clear
and simple in its details of facts, bringing to
light the full magnitude Of the great frauds
that have been imposed upon that distant peo-
pie, leaving the country to draw its own ie-
gitimate differences in relation to the extent OF
the causes and motives entering into the his
tory of the Kansas Nebraska swindle Many
have affected to believe that the newspaper
reports of Kansas wrongs and outrages have
been designedly exaggerated for partizan pur-
poses. We beg that all such will diligently
study the facts detailed in the committees re-
port, the publication of which must obviously
embarrass the prospects of Mr. Buchanan,
while at the same time it will serve to deepen
in the mind of the Republican hosts, a firmer,
and if possible, more unalterable determi-
nation to wrest the government from the VAN
dial horde seeking its subversion. We subjoin
a brief synopsis of the report
The report shows that, as soon as the bill
to organize the Territory of Kansas was pass
ed, large number of the citizens of Missouri
went into the territory and held squatter meet
ings, passed resolutions denouncing Abolition
lists, and declaring that slavery existed there
in In the autumn of 1854, a secret political
society, called the Blue Lodge, was formed,
the plan of operations, oathS, ETC., OF which
are given by the report. This lodge control
led all the subsequent movements and inya-
sions on the part of the MissOurians. At the
election on November 20, 1854, for adelegate
in Congress, there was no fraud except in the
sparsey settled and remote districts, where
Missouri citizens appeared and voted.
Details in relations to these facts are given
in the report which says it is reduced to math-
ematical precision, that seventeen hundred il
legal and nonresident votes were cast by citi-
zens of Missouri, and the remainder were eev-
en- hundred legal votes Whitfield received
plurality, and would have been elected without
the aid of his Missouri friends.
During the winter, very great excitement
existed on account of the invasion; public
meetings were held, and much bitter feeling
was manifested. In February, 1855, a cen
sus was taken, and the number of legal voters
was ascertained to be two thousand nine hun
dred and five. 1t was also discovered that
on the 30th of March, 1855, several days be-
fore the election, active preparations went on
in Missouri where a complete organization
was effected. Leaders were appointed tents
provisions, ammunition and arms distributed,
and forces were divided into companies in Mis-
souri, and on the day of election, at least FIVE
thousand citizens of Missouri, it is testified,
took up the line of march for Kansas. Com
panies went in every council and representa-
tive district in that Territory but one The
great mass of testimony consists in detailing
the acts and sayings of these companies
The Investigating Committee had before.
them the poll books, census rolls, etc, show
ing who were legal as we'll as who were illegal
voters, and from accurate and almost absolute
proofs it appears that, of about six thousand
three hundred votes, five thousand were those
of nonresidents The majority of members of
both houses of the Legislative Assembly, the
committee say, would have been Free States
men had there been no invasion of Missou-
rians. The governor set aside the result of
the election in some of the districts, on account
of informalities. A new election took place
therein on the 22d of May, but this did not
affect the result. Free State men were cho-
sen in these districts, except Leavenworth,
where there was illegal voting
The Committee took a large mass of teSti-
mOny regarding the proceedings in the Legis-
lative Assembly, which they say are charac-
terized by recklessneSs and injustice. They
likewise speak Of the crimes, such as murders
and robberies committed, which were frequent
saying that in no case, with the exception of
McRea, "a Free State man, was there any
arrest, indictment, or prosecution for these
oflenses.
The report contains full and complete de-
tails Of everything connected with the Terrific
ry of Kansas, prior to the 10Th of March last,
and says it is clearly and distinctly proved that
Samuel J. Jones, the Sheriff. was the cause of
recent disturbances, in which he SO prominent
ly figured Mr.. Oliver, of Missouri, one of
the investigating Committee, made speech in
the fifteenth district, but did not vote, altho'
he went over with one of the companies from
that State into Kansas
The conclusions of the Committee are, that
each of the elections in Kansas was carried
by invaSions from Missouri that the Legisla-
tive Assembly is an Illegally constituted body,
and therefore has no power to pass valid laws
For these reasons enactmentS are void The
election of J. w. Whitfield was not held un-
der any valid law, nor was the election of Rec
der held in accordance with laws The Com
mttee suggested no remedy. The report treats
of Instructions thrown in the way of the Com
mttee, and of the general violence that pre-
walls in the Territory 1t is very voluminous,
and is signed by Mcssrs Sherman and How
ard
The report was ordered to be printed, and
Mr. Oliver was allowed several days to make
out combating evidence.
JoHN A DIX uPoN Col FREMoNr-In 1S4S,
Hon Inhn A IiY in O S,nnnch In tlnn Snnntn Of