Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-07-04
Investigating Committees Report.
The Frauds all Proved!

of the Kansas Investigating Committee as
read by the Clerk
The report shows that, as soon as the
bill to organize the territory of Kansas
was passed, large number Of the citizens
of Missouri went into the territory and
held squatter meetings, past resolutions
denouncing Abol'tionists, and declaring
that slavery existed therein. in the au-
tumn of 1854, secret political society,
called the Blue Lodge, was formed, the
plan Of operations, oaths, etc, of which
are given by the report. This Lodge con-
trolled all the subsequent movements and
invasions on the part Of the Missourians.
At the election on November 90, 1851,
Cor delegate in Congress, there was no
fraud except in the sparsely settled and
remote districts, where Missouri citizens
appeared and voted.
Details in relations to these facts are Civ
en- in the report, which says it is reduced
to mathematical precision, that seventeen
hundred illegal and nonresident votes
we're cast by citizens Of Missouri, and
the remainder were eleven hundred legal
votes Whitfield received plurality, and
would have been elected without the aid Of
his Missouri friends.
| During the winter, very great excite
ment existed on account Of the invasion
public meetings were held, and much bit
ter feeling was manifested. In February,
I 1855, census was taken, aud the number
of legal voters was ascertained to be two
thousand nine hundred and five. 1t was
also discovered that, on the 30th of March,
1855, several days before the election,
active preparations went on in Missouri,
where a complete organizatian was effected.
Leaders were appointed; tents, provisions,
ammunition and arms distributed, aud
and forces were divided into companies
in Missouri; and on the day of election,
at least five thousand citizens Of Missouri,
it is testified, took up the line Of march
for Kansas. Companies went in every
council and representative district in that
TsaGEy bgs IN r4s 4SsssGS Gfsa Gs ac
and sayings of these companies.
The Investigating Committee had before
them the poll books, census rolls, etc,
showing who were legal as well who were
illegal voters, and from accurate and a.
most absolute prnnf.- IL -rr~-rs fnat, or
about six thousand three hundred votes,
! five thousand were those of ne"-'esidents
7 The majority or members of both houses
of the Legislative Assembly, the commit.
/ tee say, would have been Free States men
bad there been no invasion Of Missourians
The governor set aside the result Of the
election in some of the districts, on ac-
count of informalities. A new election
took place therein on the 22d of May, but
this did not affect the result. Free State
men were chosen in these districts, except
Ltavenwor.h, where there was illegal vo-
ting.
The Committe took large mass of tes.
timony regarding the proceedings in the
Legislative Assembly, which they say are
characterized by recllessness and injustice.
They likewise speak of the crimes, such
as murders and roberies committed, which
were frequent, saying that in no case, with
the exception of McRae, "a Free State
man. was there any arrest, indictment, or
prosecution for these offences
The report contains full and complete
details of everything connected with the
Territory Of Kansas, prios to the 10Th of
March last, and says it is clearly and dis.
tinctly proved that Samuel J. Jones, the
Sheriff, was the cause Of recent disturban.
ces, in which he so prominently figured.
Mr.. Oliver, of Missouri, one Of the inves-
tigating Committee, made speech in the
fifteenth district, but did not vote, although
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 Legislative Assembly is an illegally
constituted body, and therefore has no
power to pass valid laws. For these rea-
sons enactments are void. The election
of j. W. Whitefeld was not held under
any valid law, nor was the election of Rec
der held in accordance with laws. The
Committee suggested no remedy. The
report treats of Obstructions thrown in the
way of the Committee, and of the general
violence that prevails in the Territory
1t is very voluminous, and is signed by
Messrs. Sherman and Howard
(The Report was ordered to be printed,
and Mr. Oliver was allowed several days
to make ont combating evidence.
Aa.And his ,vas the Legislature rhich
made the infamous Laus rhich Pierce,
Douglas, and the Cincinnati Platform de-
clare shall be entorced!!! Fraud, vio-