Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-09
rM KAHsAs QUESTION 1N coNeRKss.

THE KANSAS QUESTION IN CONGRESS.
Last week, Mr.. Douglass made report on
Kansas affairs, which proposes new bill, pro-
| viding for the appointment of five Commits
sioners by the President, who are to take a
census of all the legal voters in the Territory,
and make fair apportionment of the dele
gates to be elected by each county to form
Constitution. No person is to be allowed to
vote whose name does not appear on the list
as a legal voter. The election for delegates is
to be held on the day of the Presidential elec-
ton, and the Convention is to assemble on the
first Monday in December, and decide wheth-
er it be expedient for Kansas to come into the
Union at that time, and if SO TO proceed to
form Constitution and State Government.
which shall be of Republican form. The bill
provides further that no law shall be enforced
in the Territory infringing the liberty of
speech or of the press, or the right of the peo-
pie TO bear arms; Illegal voting to be punish
ed, or fraud and violence at elections all
white male inhabitants of 2l years of age are
to be allowed TO vote if they have resided in
the territory months previous to the day of
election, and no other test shall be required.
No law shall be made, or have force or effect
which shall require test oath or an oath to
support any act of Congress or other legisla-
tive act, as qualification for Office, or as
juror, or which shall restrain or prohibit the
free discussion of any law or subject of legis-
lation, or the free expression of opinion there
on by the people of the Territory. This bill
passed the Senate on the Sd, by vote of 33
yeas to IL nays.
In the House, on the 30th June, the bill TO
admit Kansas with her free Constitution, as
State, was rejected by majority. On Tues
day, Mr.. Barclay moved a reconsideration of
the vote, upon which warm debate sprung
up, but pending motion to lay Barclays mo-
tion on the table, Mr.. Howard presented the
Report of the Kansas Investigating Commit
tee. The Committee report the following,
facts and conclusions established by the testi-
mony:-
L. That each election in the Territory held
under the organic or alleged Territorial law
has been carried by organized invasion from
the State of Missouri, 10y which the people OF
the Territory have been prevented from exer-
cising the rights secured to them by the or
ganic law.
2. That the alleged Territorial Legislature
was an Illegally constituted body, and had no
power to pass valid laws, and their enactments
are, therefore, null and void.
3. That these alleged laws have not. as a
general thing, been used to protect persons
and property and to punish wrong, but for un-
lawful purposes.
4. That the election under which tiIe sitting
delegate, John W. Whitfield, holds his seat,
was not held in pursuance of any valid law
and that it should be regarded only as the ex-
preston of the choice of those resident citi-
zens who voted for him.
3. That the election under which the con-
testing Delegate, Andrew H. Reeder, claims
his seat, was not held in pursuance of law, and
that it should be regarded only as an express
sion of the choice of the resident citizens who
voted for him.
6. That Andrew II. Reeder received great
er number OF votes of resident citizens than
John W. Whitfield for Delegate.
q. That in the present condition of the Ter
ritory fair election cannot be held without a
new census, stringent and well guarded cleo
ton law, the selection of impartial Judges
and the presence of United States troops at
every place of election.
s. That the various elections held by the
people of the Territory preliminary to the for
nation of the State Government, have been
as regular as the disturbed condition of the
Territory would allow and that the Constitu-
tion passed by the Convention, held in pursu-
ance Of said elections, embodies the will of a
majority of the people.
As it is not the province of your Committee
to suggest remedies for the existing troubles
selves with the foregoing statement of facts.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
WILLIAM A. HOWARD,
JOHN SHERMAN.
On the Sd inst, Mr.. Barclays motion to re-
dor ioH f.ra <f