The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-05-22
The Kansas Commission.
The Lawrence correspondent of the New
York Tribune, writing on the Sd, at Lawrence
says: IN - " 10


overwhelming. Evidence has been taken
proving frauds at the very first election and at
every subsequent election in the Territory as
well as violence and voting by large bands
from Missouri. The systematic and extern
stve invasion of hordes from Missouri at the
election held in March, 1855, at which the
bogus Legislature which assembled at the
Shawnee Mission, was elected, has been fully
Evidence has also been given
that members of that body and county officers
elected by them were, and still are, residents
of Missouri. Evidence also abounds concern
ing the war last fall fully covering all that was
stated in the Tribune, and putting it even in
a more aggravated light. Some of the most
damning testimony for the pro-slavery side
has come from men of their own party living in
the Territory. | understand that the mem
bers of the Commission have expressed an
opinion that the report sent back from the
Territory did not convey as black story as
they will have to carry back to Congres
Whitfield intends to take the Commission to
several points to take his testimony. What
may there be submitted it would be imposs-
BILE to speculate on but it cannot amount to
mach. Indeed, if the Committee do not suffer
by some act of violence, and the records they
are making reach Congress without being de-
stroyed, those who have been endeavoring to
bolster up q doughfaee position by the asser-
ton that the stories of violence and fraud were
unfounded, will not have a leg left to stand on.
President Pierce will also have the satisfac-
ton of knowing that the officers he has up
held in the Territory have covered themselves
and him with infamy and disgrace.
But there is, at least, a possibility that vio
lence may be offered to the Commission. Some
Al d al H.
shall have coat of tar and feathers, and it
merely remains to be seen whether they will
dare to execute their threats against an express
Commission from Congress. Yesterday Gov.
Reeder received letter froma friend in Leav
enworth City, counseling him not to come 10
the place with the Commission as there was
party there who were vowing to take his life
Reeder replied that he should come to Leaven-
worth at such times as he had business there,
the threats of the Pro-Slavery men to the con-
trary Notwithstanding.
You will remember that Oliver, the Mis-
souri member of the Commission, stated in
speech in Congress that he knew of TO frauds
connected with the elections in the Territory,
save an instance when some Free-State men,
belonging to a steamboat at Leavenworth,
voted. AS an Offset to this it is positively
stated here by men who have evidence to sub
NIT, that Oliver himself came with party from
Missouri, and whether he voted or not, that
he, at least made speeches 70 those who did.
If such evidence be submitted it will sound
very pretty in Congress, will it not?
Writing on the 8th he says:
Here the Committee was Interrupted by the
arrival of William Balm, Deputy Marshal, with
an attachment for the arrest of Gov. Reeder
for contempt of Court.
It is hardly necessary to call attention to the
Importance of this question. We have heard
Of Congress good DEAL but for the first time
the authority of Congress was now brought in
direct conflict with the Territorial officers.
The dignity of the Commission has not been
sufficient to shield it from insult. 1t remains
to be seen whether its power or dignity can
save it from violence.
Gov. Reeder has been almost indefatigable
Indeed his knowledge of the affairs of the Ter
ritory, and of the men in it, has made him an
almost indispensable member of the Commit
tee. He evidently feels that not only are his
own interests at stake, but that he owes
great duty to the people ofthe Territory The
attempt to take him away from the Commits
sion on subpoena, was merely the preliml-
nary to what has followed, and to what it was
intended should follow. The attempt to take
him prisoner for contempt, IN such "a case, is
one of the most unheard of high-Eanded pieces
of legal tyranny. -sa .lr1
Z As to the expression of opinion by the Com
mittee:
Mr.. Howard, in his clear, emphatic tone,
said that, as legal question, there could be
but one opinion-Reeder had his privilege
1t was also well known principle in law that
all parties are legally responsible for knowing
a07aO has such privilege, and for their attacks
on them. If this Commission was attacked
through any of its members, it might arrest
the party so attacking its authority and dig
nifty for contempt, and send them to Wash
ngton under arrest. He did not conceive
this was any case of premeditated attack, and
in any case the Committee had nothing to de-
eide; they were no tribunal before whom a
question ofthe kind could come. They rested
on their privileges.
$50 -
The Deputy Marshal left, and Mr.. Oliver
rose and went with him. The officer who
served the process not only insulted the Com
mittee, through the Court, but acted indeco-
rously-telling Reeder when he appealed to
the gentlemen of the Committee, that he had
nothing to do with the Committee. And when
the Committee were celebrating on the ap-
peal made to them, rudely interrupted them
by demanding, well what will you do?'
That this was deliberate insult of the Com
mission is clear. The Pro- Slavery men and
Border RuffianS have been writing under the
sittings of the Commission. and would stop
them if they could. 1t was easy for them by
falsehood to deny their conduct, so as to blind
those at a distance, but when thay saw this
means of dragging their iniquities to light, and
the evidence SO clear and overwhelming, they
have desired to strike blow at the Commits
sion, and that through Reeder.