The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-10-31
lCoPYRIGHr sEcURED.I
r,;ttsa expressly for Tie Herald Of freedom
A COMPLETE
HISTORY OF K a NSAS,
first Discovery by the French, TO
the Close of the Year 1851.
BY TIE EDITORS.
CHAPTER Xxx.

rnHYITTEE TO INVESTIGATE ELECTION FRAUDS
-sHERIFF JONES SHOT, &C.
The di Disturbances in Kansas were gener.
dIy supposed to be caused by settlers Of
opposite Opinions on the Slavery ques-
dOn. Consequently when Congress took
I'D the subject and appointed Commit
tee to investigate it, the friends of Kansas
supposed everything would quietly calm
down. The New York Tribune, of April
lst 1856, speaking of the subject says -
aThe good effect of this appointment
will not long be waited for-they will be
ielt before the close of this week. The
tdings of its coming will operate as a truce
fetween the hostile parties; there will be
no more Border raids-no need of aGdi-
d0ual rifles. The House has interposed
It's authority between the contending par
des. and whoever desires to make his
home in Kansas may go in peace, and
with the assurance of order and quiet"
This opinion was based on a mistaken
view Of the origin of the difficulties. The
leading politicians of the South, disun-
ionists of the John G. Calhoun school,
yho had their head quarters at Washing
ton City, had the control of this matter.
They could not be reached by public opin-
iondemanding peace and acquiescence, be-
cause they had already another public
opinion in a different quarter, demanding
acontrol ofthe Territory at all hazard.
A peaceable settlement was impossible,
unless the whole ground was yielded to
them without controversy. A fair inves-
tigation, and decision in harmony with
the facts, was neither desired nor accepted
by them as settlement of the question.
They opposed the appointment of the
Committee from the first; and destroyed
its influence with their party, and thwart-
ed its purposes in every conceivable man
ner The opposition to fair settlement
Ofthe Kansas troubles by Congress, mani
tested itself in the election of a liberal
speaker Mr.. Banks, who was put for
ward for this Office, was voted for nine
weeks before he was elected. As soon as
convenient, after the House was organized,
Gen. Whitfield and Ex-Governor Reeder
presented themselves as Delegates from
Kansas, Gen. Whitfield claiming his
seat because he was elected according tolaw;
and Gov Reeder because he was elected by
the actual residents of Kansas Territory.
This Congressional controversy is common
history all over the Union. The House of
Representatives on the 10Th of March,
1856
"ResolUed, That committee of three
members of this House, be appointed by
The Speaker, who shall proceed to enquire
INTO and collect evidence in regard to the
troubles in Kansas generally, and particu.
arly in regard to any fraud or force at.
tempted, or practiced, in reference to any
Of the elections which have taken place
il said Territory, either under the law or
saniziug said Territory, or under any pre-
tended law which may be alleged to have
taken effect therein since. That they
shall fully investigate and take proof OF
all violent and tumultuous proceedings in
said Territory at any time since the pas
sage of the Kansas-N Nebsaska act, wheth-
er erengaged in by residents of said Terrific
ry, or by any person or persons from else
where going Into said Territory and doing
or encouraging others to do, any act OF
violence or public disturbance against the
laws of the United States, or the rights
peace, and safety of the residents of said
Territory; and for that purpose said COM
mittee shall have full power to send fol
and examine and take copies of all such
papers, public records, and proceedings, as
IN their Judgment will be useful in the
premises; and also. to send for persons and
examine them on oath, or affirmation,
as to matters within their knowledge
touching the matters of said investigation;
and said committee, By their chairman,
shall have power to administer all neees-
SaFy oaths and affirmations connected with
their aforesaid duties"
len thousand dollars was appropriated
to defray the expenses of the commission
and permission was given them to call OF
the military force for their protection i
Necessary.
The Committee, consisting of w. A
Howard, of Michigan, John Sherman, o
Ohio, and Mordecai Oliver, of Missouri
With four clerks, one reporter and fou
'erseants-at-arms, arrived at Lecomptol
On the 18th of April, and immediatel,
proceeded to examine and copy all tn,
FecOrds pertaining to the political affairs o
Kansas.
April 2Sd, they removed 10 Lawrence
and continued there threeWeeks in tax
'hsdepositions, to the number of 125.
May l4th, they removed TO Leaven
worth, and remained two weeks takin
oepositions, to the number of 150.
June2d, they removed to Westport, an,
remained one week taking depositions, {
the number of 81.
The COMMITTEES left Westport june II
% their return to Washington; and too
uspoSItlons at Lexington and st. Lou!
No, and also in New York and Washing
'On' numbering in all 323.
Ihe Committee was absent nearly for
months. having travelled over two thou
And miles, and gathered mass of testimC
ny concerning the frauds and outrage
Perpetrated IN Kansas, which they report
Gu 70 Congress. and which was publishe
ma large volume of over 1900 pages
'onialng the darkest annals of America
history.
The summing upof the Committee wa
. iellews:-