The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-07-18

Report ~ the Investigating Com
sMittcc.


This report is very long. We would like
to publish the whole, but its great length
forbids. We have concluded, however, to
publish the greater portion, enough to give
clear idea Of the state Of things as cstab-
lished by the evidence gathered by the com
mttee All the positions and assert ons OF
the committee are fortified by abundant cvi-
dence. taken under oath from both Missouri
ans and Free State men, oil the more i'm
portan. points being proved amply by Mis-
souri, evidence alone, it the evidence VI the
other parties was all rejected.
The committee go on to state the condition
of affairs previous to the repeal Of the Com
promise, and say:
Within few DAYS after the organic law
passed, and AS soon rs itspassage could be
known on the border, leading citizens OF
Missouri crossed into the Territory, held
squatter meetings, and then returned TO
their homes. Among their resolutions are
the following
ssThat we will afford protection TO no abo-
l;tonist as settler of this Territory.
''That we recognize the institution Of
Slavery rs already existing in this Territory,
AM advise shareholders TO introduce their
property rs early as possible"
Similar resolutions were passed IN various
parts Of the Territory, AMI by meetings IN
several counties OF Missouri. Thus the first
effect Of the repeal of the restriction against
Slavery was to substitute the resolves OF
squatter meetings, composed almost cxclu-
sively Of citizens of single State, for the
deliberate action Of Congress, acquiesced in
for 30 years.
This unlawful interference has been con-
tinued in every important event in the histo-
~ Of the Territory. Every election has
been controlled, not by the actual settlers,
but by citizens of Missouri, and as n consc-
quence every officer in the Territory, from
constable to legislators, except those appoint
ed By the President, owe their position "a
non resident voters. None have been elect
ed by the settlers, and your committee have
been unable to find that any political powel
whatever, however unimportant, has been ex'
ercised by the people Of the Territory.
In October, 1854, Gov. Reedcr and tn,
other officers appointed by the President ar
rived in the Territory. About the SAM
time, and previous to any election in the Ter
ritory, secret lodges were formed, under diff
fcrent names, such as "Social Band,
ssFriends' Society,"" "Blue Lodge" s. Son
Of the South,' etc., all under general or
ganixaton, whose members were bound to
ge,her by oaths, and known to each other b
signs, passwords, etc., their object being I
extend Slavery into Kansas by nn armed in
vasion, the forcibie corruption Of the ballot
box, and the use Of the sword il neccss ary
to any extent required. All tho elect Tor
were held under the auspices of this polite
society. and the committee say that thei
strength was suficien, at all times to Owe,
power the actual residents, had all partit
been united to man.
The frs. election was for a delegate I
Congress, aud held Nov. ooth, 1854. II
Territory was divided into II election di
tricts. In the lst,!3d, 7th, s.h, 9th, lot
18th. and 18th districts there appeared
he little if any illegal voting. Of the Gle,
ton in the "a district, the committee say
The election in the second district was he
in the village Of Douglass, nearly City mil.
from the Missouri line. Tn the day befol
the election large companies Of men can
into the district 10 wagons and On horse
back, and declared that they were from Il,
State Of Missouri and were going to Doug
lass to vote. On the morning OF the electiu
they gathered around the house where IL
election was to be held. Two Of the judge
appointed By the Governor did not appen
and two other judges were elected BY ii
crowd. All then voted. In order to mai
pretenoe Of RICH, to vote some persons
the company kept pretended register Z
squatter claims, on which any one could 81
ter his name and then INSERT he had
claim in tho Territory. 4 citizen Of tn
district. Who - himseH candidate fo
delegate 70 Ceaffses, was told BY one Of th
strangers TIT - would be abused and prob