The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-01

Mr. PURyIANGE Of Pennsylvania raised the question |
Of order that il not In order 10 refer 10 the action OF
the House on a former occasion.
The SPEAKER thought that the gentleman irom Geor-
ga was in order so far as he had proceeded, /
Mr. STEPHENS proceediag) cited the second article Of
the amendment to he constitution Of the United States s
follows wellreguiaed militia being necessary TO the
security OF free State the right Of the people to keep and
bear shall be infinged and said that when be
majority of the House recording their yetes to strike
down this main pillar of hbery-when he saw this safe
guard Of the rights Of the people taken awey 70 answer
certain purpose-he almost dSpaired OF etecng thing
BY what be might say la behalf Of law and order II had
however been done without argument and he wished not
whstSndng the unfayorabe position In which he was
placed Try the force OF argument and Of truth He did
not despair and should despair long as men would
reason but when Judgment ceased actwhen truth
had influence the minds of men-he might despair
lie Intended to argue the question on principles which he
conceived 20 be unassaabe the constitution from
which he had read and he the argument with the
feelings of one who had his thrice armed IN irress
bie truth The question had not been changed by the re-
port Of the investigating committee out TO Kansas
10 fact circumstance bad been adduced In the mass OF
testimony taken by that committee which changed the
merit of the question in the slightest degree What were
those acts The sitting delegate presented himself with
the certificate and seal of the Territory duly elected I'M
der the law passed in conformity with the organic act
What the objection to his holding his seat? Merely
the allegation that the laws passed in that Territory were
invalid because of the nvady Of the organization OF the
territorial legislative assembly He said then, and said
noand deed opposition TO 1T except to override prin-
ciple sacred ireemen and constitutional government
that it question which the House had jurs
dicon He could be shown from English history, the
history of the United States from the history OF any
State legislature where question OF the legality OF the
organization of legislative body settled by itself
government could exist on any other principle.
II the House had power inquire into the legality Of the
legislative assembly OF kauass Il had power 70 do the
thing with regara 70 the States 1t could Judge Of
the returns and qualifications o the members to that
legislative assembly could well inquire into and Judge
of the qualifications of members OF the State
legislatures He wanted gentlemen to explain the differ
| hyI pp,yr anair
the duty of the governor to declare who legally
elected the legislative assembly bill had been passed
the day before yesterday reorganizng the Territory OF
Kansas and the power was conferred upon the In
that bill to declare who were elected IN ina Ieo;a,a
mre; and. in case that bill shohNi become law and an
eeuon should be held under it, and the governor should
declare and give certificates majority Of the legislature
the House going outside of the judgment Of the gov
enor aud the legislature upon that question and eternay
and forever keep this question open long the egsa
ture did not do they wished? II was grand step to-
wards revolution He contended that the report OF the
majority of the committee could not be and
argued to show that the sitting delegate having been
elected In pursuance OF law without opposition aud having
his commission certified under the seal of the only recog
Missed legalyconsuted authorities of the Territory was
entitled TO q seat on the floor of the House.
| Mr. SHERMAN, of Ohio, maintained the truth of the
set forth in the report of the majority of the
vestgatng committee, and answered the statements made
in the minority report of that committee He would vote
unset WHITFIELD because he the representative
| the invaders of Kansas. as
Mr.. SAVAGE, of Tennessee, characterized the report
OF the majority OF Tue investigating committee as
pound OF the grossest partially Misrepresentation and
fasehood not to perjury disclosed that majority
having sacrificed honor and truth for the purpose of
king up partisan statement influence and excite the
popular mind that the blackrepublican party might be
benefited in the approaching presidential election. He
examined and exposed OF the false and
ed statements contained in that report There
document in 1T entitled to any credit and that the
ordered by Gov Reeder in January and February
of 1885, and concluded the day that he issued this writ
of election and that showed majority of five hun
dred southern votes and contradiced the statement and
conclusions of majority of the committee every STEP
| Mr. OLIVER, of Missouri replied to Mr.. SHERMAN Of
Ohio defending the report of the minority of the
mittee and exposing the unairness and partisan spirit
manifested by majority Mr. Reeder could not be rec
ognised elected any principle of law and he asked
whether the House was willing to trample all law and
justice by admitting him. He could imagine men
we're so lost justice and decency to be guilty of such
/ amonstrosity.
Mr.. MAohBURN, of Maine, stated that he understood
that letter had been received by the Speaker of the House
from friend of Mr. Reeder, notifying him of the sickness
of that gentleman and endorsing argument which Mr.
Reeder had written in his behalf. He asked that by
general consent leave having been given Mr. WHTFKLD
the argument should be allowed to be read after the
| previous question had been ordered
| There being no objection, II was so ordnre2
| Mr.. WASHBURN then moved he previous question {;
which seconded and the main question ordered TO
/ put
Mr. ReSaers statement then read by the clerk He
saes the ground that the legislature Of Kansas
fraudulent and usuping body and that the whole code of
laws enacted by that legislature invalid and
therefore, that the laws under which his opponent was
elected absolutely void He admits that his own cleo
ton Illegal one but claims that he received
orty of legal of the Territory and therefore
should be admitted to seat on the floor their represent
| alive.
Before the reading Of the report concluded motion
Of Mr.. WAKEMAN, of New York. at half-past o'clock,
| the House adjourned.