The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-03-06


rtory and governs il by strong hand that this question
involves the existence OF sefgoyernmen aud that Il
not be settled by cropping among assertions and malls
but only by facts proven
Upon the second point Ii contends that the people Of
the Territory cannot be preudiced by what Governor
eeder did as governors that the people are now contest
ing the seat through him aud thai IT II So still,
Congress could and should investigate It, ia reasonable
doubt exists 10 the right Of General WnIrrELD seat
Upon the third point, IL argues that commission to
take dispositions would be rutess that the President re-
CARDS the presence Of the army there necessary pre-
peace and the execution Of the commission would
bring the begerent parties face face aud nce 10 hot
titles that il would be equivalent 10 effort obtain
testimony baltiefed and that commissioners would
be powerless 10 preserve peace
In the OF the argument the committee alude to
the fact that ordinarily in despotisms their subjects enjoy
degree Of peace and quiet while 10 Kansas the set
tiers not only alleged to be reduced 10 state OF
slage to foreign power but that personal safety Is un-
known and murder and outrage said to be the almost
daily record OF its history tr.a.
Arson, SPtsEER, HICKMAN, CoIFAx, and BINGHAM, and
concludes by recommending the adoption Of the following
resolution
Rsso,rsd That the Committee of Elections in the
tested the Territory of Kansas be- and
hereby empowered 20 bend for persons and papes and to
examine witnesses upon oath or affirmation. NJ
Mr. STEPHENS of Georgia, submitted report express
sing The views Of minority OF the COMMITTEES which was
read.
The report maintains that Governor Reeders sole object
in his application seems 10 be 10 devolYe on tie committee
and the House the inquiry into the validity OF the ter
ritoral law under which General WHITFIELD was elected
and this hinges the ground that the members who
passed that law not Themselves properly elected and
returned. a... ...... ..
Ii establish this that Gov Reeder wishes to send
for persons and papers making the House not only the
judges Of the qualifications and returns OF Its own mem
ber but also OF the members of territorial and State leg
slatures which of course follows This would be assu-
ming position not properly pertaining TO the House,
and would establish precedent ola dangerous tendency
If the House conclude that the examination shall be
gone into the end would be better attained by sending
commissioners to Kansas to take such testimony as may be
pertinent and competent whereas The sending for
and papers would occasion much delay yenence and
trouble, If not prove utterly mpractcab'e.
Accompanying the report is paper from Gen. WHIT
FIELD who submits that Gov Reeder has no right to be
heard having been candidate when he WHITFIELD
elected Reeder candidate at any election
authorized by law therefore, the testimony proposed to
be taken is not conpeen to prove the truth Of Governor
ReedeIs statement.
Gov. Reeder was governor when the members of the
lie gsa chosen. The election was conducted by
judges appointed by Gov Retder aud who took the pre-
scribed oath 10 reject the Of all residents.
The members Of the Kansas legislature took their seats
without cav complaint from Gov. Reeder, who COM
law under which Gen WHITFIELD was elected. The pre-
text Of Gov. Reeder that The enbets OF the legislature
Illegally elected, estops him. in view of the facts
stated, from all further proceedings.
The report signed by Messrs STEPHENS of Georgia,
OLIVER of Missouri and SMITH Of Alabama
Mr.. HICKMAN moved that the further consideration of
the subject be postponed until tomorrow at one O'clock
and that both the reports be printed
Mr.. PHELPS, of Missouri, moved to recommt the re-
port of the majority, With the following instructions
ReaoIcea That Committee of Elections, in examining
and Judging of the election and qualifications Of
claiming to have been elected representatives OF
States delegates of Territories which have been duly
ganized by Congress- shall exclude from their consider alton
the claims of all persons who, after being afforded ample time
fail show that the election under which they claim
pursuance Of the laws of the State Territory sought to
be represented BY suoh aimant claimants elected
Of law of the United States Tor the govern
OF such election
Rs-olUed rtsr, That in the opinion of this House.
of State OF this Unon and delegate of
Territory organized by Congress- rghuy be admitted
to seat in this House except in pursuance aflaw.
Resoped, further, That the validity OF the laws OF Con-
gress of States and Territories be rghuy passed
upon by the courts duly established by and laws
declared null and void by the Judiciary the executive and
legislative powers of the government must conform their
on the laws OF the land and may not disregard them.
Resoped further that the Committee Of Elections are
hereby instructed pursue their in accordance
With the foregoing principles
The SPEAKER stated that the motion of The gentleman
from Missouri in order pending the motion to
postpone.
Mr. DUNN Of Indiana thought that the resolutions pre-
scented by the gentleman from Missouri rather in the
Of distractions than thing practical pertinent
the subject before the House He hoped that the gentle
from Penusyvani instead Of naming To- morrow for
the consideration OF the subject would that Monday
be apart for that purpose TO afford every
member opportunity carefully to investigate both sides
Of the question: presented in the reports which had been
read the House They should proceed in reference TO this
with crcumspection than IL would be possible
TO exercise between this and tomorrow.
Mr. HICKMAN, of Peunsy vana, said that there
tain members of the Committee of Elections who felt them
selves posted up this question: and desired TO speak
before leaving the city or course if Others
uuprepared discuss the subject II would be competent
for them make such disposition Of they night deem
proper
Mr. JONES' Of Tennessee did not think that the reports
and the ying papers could be printed in time TO
enable members 10 give them that examination which
necessary enable them to enter upon discussion to-
II Que two gentlemen OF the committee were
prepared debate this question 1t would be we'll enough
perhaps that others should have opportunity prepare
themselves TO them, that the argument on both sides
might the time 90 tothe country. lie therefore
thought that but fair and just that the further
deraon Of the subject should he postponed until at least
Monday that members could have opportunity OF eK
aiming the papers when they should be printed and be
prepared discuss the questions which they involved
Mr. BOYCE Of South Carolina, had listened with great
interest the report submitted by the majority Of the
Committee Of Elections, but had heard nothing which
would induce him to adopt the recommendation which it
contained. when the subject up the other day, he
very much grati6ed 20 find what he considered
sentative indication 10 the House
Mr.. HICKMAN desired to know II discussion was now
IN order 2
The SPEAKER was Of the opinion that debate the
merits of the question not in order
The question then taken, and the motion OF Mr..
HICKMAN was agreed 10.
Mr. BETCHEIS OF Virginia, moved that twenty tbous-
and copies Of the majority and minorty reports
with the panying pope be printed together for the
of the members Of the House, which motion refer
red to the Committee on Printing.
PRESIDENTS HE9sAGE-KANsAs AFFAIRS
On motion by Mr.. CAMPBELL, Of Ohio the House then
went into Committee of the Whole the state Of the
Union lMr MACE of Indiana in the char) and resumed
the consideration Of the Presidents annual message.
Mr. GROW, of Pennsylvania, being entitled to the floor
dressed the COMMITTEES on the subject of the Presidents
.l.ttWa la The r.f,rv