Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-06-26
Kansas Affairs i'm Congress.

Kansas Affairs i'm Congress.
The majority of the Committee on Terri
tories, through the Chairman, Mr.. GROW,
made a report to the House of Representa-.
tiveS on the 29th of May last, on Kansas
affairs. A minority report from the pen
of our Representative, Hon F. K. ZoLLI
GOLFER, was also presented. These reports
have been printed, and we have obtained a
copy of them. The majority report, after
an eE parte investigation of the charges oil
fraud in the elections of members to the
territorial legislature, and the invasion Of
the Territory by non-residents, comes to the
conclusion that the charges are sustained
by the facts, and recommends the immedi
ate admission of Kansas as a State, for the
purpose of relieving the people from a rep
etitiOn of such abuses. In answer to OBJ
jectiOnS based on the limited number of the
population Of Kansas, the report cites the
admission of Tennessee, Indiana, Mssissip,
ri, Illinois, Arkansas, Michigan and FIori,
da, and makes erroneous statements in re-
gard to their population In his report, it
will be seen, Gen. ZoLMCOFFER states their
population correctly.
We are disappointed in not seeing the
names Of Messrs. RICHARDSON and HoUsTON
attached to the minority report. Its con-
illusions are just, and the bill it recommends
such a one as the eXigency Of the case de-
mands, being the same in all respects as that
introduced by Mr. DOUGLAS in the Senate,
except the words Z" all rbite male c5ti1cnS of
the United States" in italics in the ID sec
ton, and the words citizens If tie United
States" in italics near the close of the Sd
section. 1t would have been well for the
minority to have acted as a unit, and pre-
scented an unbrOken front to the Black Re
publican enemies of the South. We learn,
however, that Mr.. HoUsToN was absent
when the report was made. Mr. RICHARD
son was present Why he did not sign it,
we are curious to know. Can it be that
since he has become candidate for Gov
ernor of Illinois, he has found it necessary
to trim his sails-to steer clear of all ALI
ances which might injure him amongst anti
Nebraska democrats whose votes are neceS-
Sary to his election? Without further re-
marks on that score, we spread the minority
report before our readers Like everything
that comes from Gen ZoILICoFFER, it is
pointed and practical
MINORITY REPORT
The undersigned, member Of the Committee on
the Territories, unable concur with the majority
in the report OF the bin for the immediate admission
ofK4nsus as a State into the Union, bcgs leave to
submit the which, in his judgment, are con.
elusive against such action, aud which at the same
time demonstrate the propriety of authorising the
people of the Territory Of Kansas to form a State
constitution, with the privilege Of admission into
the Union soon they have the requisite popu.
lation.
The undersigned readily comprehends that the
true policy and interests of the government of the
United States are opposed to the long aud unneces
sary continuance Of any portion of the American
people in condition Of Territorial dependence ;
that such relations proonging the rule OF the gov.
eminent over "A people debarred from participation
in its general direction aud control tend TO depress
that independence which government like ours
should ever cultivate in its citizens; aud that il
would be ill-judged in continuing 10 impose upon
the United States the burdens of Territorial or
ganizaton, after the people of the Territory were
fully able to deray for themselves all the expenses
OF State government.
But the undersigned respectfully submits, that
such considerations do not apply 10 the present
condition of Kansas. It has been but two years
since the present Territorial government was organ
lied, over a then wilderness country, while, with
other Territories OF the Union, the average uraton
OF Territorial organization, prior 90 admission as
States into the Union has been from twelve 10 thir-
teen wears, aud in some instances much more as,
With Mississippi nineteen years, with Florida TWEEN
ty-six, and with Michigan thirty two years Be.
sides, the population of Kansas is entirely too small
too sparsely scattered the Territory subject to
too much huctustion aud instability aud in almosi
every way too httle prepared to throw oil the Ter
ritoral and assume all tue responsibilities OF State
government
The population in October last was twenty five
thousand or less than oae-third the number (9S =
400 inhabtants) requisite to entitle Kansas TO
representative in Congress. Though increasing
rapidly, vet there n no data before tue committee
showing that this condition Of things il materially
changed. Would the Admission OF 50 small pop
ulation 10 all the rights OF State otthe Union, with
two senators and a representative 10 Congress, be
asi 10 the due representative Seght OF the present
states OF The Uu0ns IL would be a radical depAr-
ture from the established usage OF the government;
thefe being no instance IN which State has eEeI
been admitted with population so inconsderable
and no instance, with one solitary exception, IN
which State has ever been admtted without q
population more than equal % the ratio Of repre-
sentatiou In Congress. Though the constitution
prescri0es no drhnite amount Of population ae-
cessary tor the admission Of State yet c0nsidrra-
lions Of The highest aad sOandesi policy have led
20 the establishment Of general usage and long
roll OF precedeuls, extending down from the organ
z.tiop OF the government, which IL would be not
only unwise bat unsafe TO depart from 10 the man
ner propOsed OF the eighteen States admitted
since the adoption Of the federal constitution the
average population at the date OF admission has
been a fraction over one hundred and four thousand
Bat the States in which the population vas sa'aH'
est Al the time OF admission, and Which have there
fore been relied on by the majority OF the commit
tee, realty presen5 state OF facts Which, when cor
reely understood, overthrow the conclusions Of The
majority,
For example, she State Of Tennessee wAs admit
ted 10 June, l796, with a population. aseeFtained
by Territ0fia ceasus Of July, 1888, and report ed
By Governor BlOaut to Congress. oi n ,a62, when