The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-07-09
Synopsis of Kansas Report.

The Investigating Committee had be.
fore themt the poll.books, census rolls. &c.
showing who we're legal as we'll as illegal
voters ; and from accurate and almost
absolute proofs. itappeared that Of about
$500 votes cast at the election for mem
bcrs of the Territorial Legislature, five
thousand were those Of non residents.
The majority Of the members of both.
houses of the Legislature would have
been free state men if the re had been no
invasion of Missourians. The Governor
sat aside the election in some Of the dis.
tricts, and o new election took place there
in on the 22d of May, resulting in the
choice of free state men in these districts,
except ~Leavenwortb, where there was
still illegal voting.
The committee took a large mass of
testimony regarding the proceedings Of
the Legislative Assembly which proceed
ings they state are characterized by reck-
less injustice. The report likewise al
ludes to the murders, robberies and other
crimes committed in the territory. and
states that in no case, except that of Nc
Rae "a free state MANI. was there any
prosecution for those Offences. No indict-
ments we're found. no arrests made, and
no measures taken to bring the perpetra.
tors to justice.
The report contains full and complete
details of everything connected with the
territory of Kansas prior to the 10Th of
March last, and says it is clearly proven
that Samuel j. Jones. the Sheriff, was
the main cause of the recent disturbance
in which he so prominently figured. 1t
is also proved that Mr.. Oliver, one of the
investigating committee, went into Mis-
souri, with one of the invading companies,
and made a speech in the 18th election.
district. but it is not proved that he vo-
ted. The conclusion of the report is az
follows
Your Committee report the following
facts aud conclusions as established by
the testimony -
First That each election in the ter
ritory held under the organic or alleged
territorial law has been carried by organ
lied invasion from the state If Missouri.
by which the people of the territory hare
been prevented from exercising the right
secured 10 them by the organic law.
Second. That the alleged Territorial
Legislature was an illegally constituted
body aud Lad no power to pass valid laws,
and their enactments are, therefore, null
and void.
Third. That these alleged laws have
not. as o general thing, been used to pro-
tect persons aud property and to punish
wrong but for unlawful purposes
Fourth. That the election under
which the 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 express
sion of the choice of those resident citi-
Gems who voted for him.
Fifth. That the election under which
the contesting delegate, Andrew ii. Rec
der, claims his seat. was not held in pl'
snance of law, and that it should be Ie'
garded only as the expression of the
choice of the resident citizens who voted
for him.
Sixth. That Andrew II. Reeder re
ceived a greater number of votes of resi-
dent citizens then Johu W, Whitfield
for delegate ..
Seventh That in the present condi
ton of the territory o fair election eau
not be held withou; a new census a s,rin