The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-05-07
From the New York Journal Of Commerce.
KANSAS CONVENTION LAW.

provisions have been represented to be 50 out
to insert it entire in our columns. We are Will
ing to admit that it Is not in all respects what
we should wish it to be. But so far as relates
to fraudulent voting, intimidation or obsiruc
ton at the ballot boxes, it Is all that could be
desired. Preparatory to the election of dele
gates, sixty in number, who are to frarae
State constitution, this law provides that be-
tween the first OF March and the first of April Of
the present year, a census shall be taken Of "all
the free male inhabitants, citizens ofthe United
States over twenty one years of age, and all
other white persons actually residing" in the
Territory. When the census has been taken
and returned to the governor, he will divide the
aggregate number of voters by sixty, and this
will give the number Of votes for each delegate,
which will be apportioned to each county accor
ding to the number ofqualfed voters. A reg.
stry ofall the voters names is to be made and
filed in the Office of the probate judge, where it
will be kept open lor inspection and correction
for thirty days; and none are allowed to vote ex-
cept those whose names are registered. None
but bona fila citizens can vote, and if they do
the registry is the best means to detect illegal
and fraudulent voting. All out side interfer-
encc with the election whether from the North
or the South, is especially guarded against.
The election is to be held on the 81 Monday
in June next. Every bona yfle inhabitant Of
the; Territory" on that day, "being citizea OF
the United States, over twenty one years and
aoho staH hace resided three months next before
said election, in the county in which he offers to
vote, and no other perIon whatever shall be en-
titled to vote at said election" None therefore
can vote who are not bona file inhabitants ofthe
Territory on the l4th inst and who shall not
continue to reside in the same county until the
election. This three months residence is much
complained Of at the east, and doubtless it will
prevent many Yankees from going there to vote
who otherwise would have gone. On the 9th
er hand, it will prevent many Missourians from
rushing in day or week prior to the election
who cannot afford to reside three months in the
same county for the sake Of voting, A good
many haze probably gone in, both from Mis-.
souri, and Iowa. and also from Illinois and Wis
consn, tor the sake Of voting, but far less than j
this three months residence hal not been re-
qured. Force or intimidation to prevent any
legal voters from voting is forbidden under hea
Wy penalties, and so also is every attempt at il
legal voting, and all fraud on the part of cleo
ton, officers. Read the the Ii, IA and l5tl
sections. The vote is to be given cipa uoec.--
The convention is to meet at tho capital Of the
Territory on the first Monday in September
next. ea ..lat .mat ts -.#a
This act contains on its face no provision fol
submitting to the people the constitution which
tho convention may adopt, and this we think i,
manifest defect. 1t may, however, have beer
provided for in some supplementary enactment
AN ACT to provide for taking the census, ant
| election for delegates to convention.
Be ii enacted By the Governor and Legislative As
sen,Jlyof The Erftorycf Kansas, as toI2oms:
| SEC. ]. 8i aH
| That for the purpose OF making anenumcra.
ton of the inhabitants entitled to vote under the
provisions OF this act, an apportionnent and an
election of members ofa convention, it shall b.
the duty of the sheritfs of the several counties
Kansas Territory, and they are hereby required
between the first day Of March and the first
day of April, 1851, to make an enumeration o
all the free male inhabitants, citizens OF the L
States, over twenty one years ofage, and Other
white persons actually residing within their re-
spective counties; and for this purpose shall have
power to appoint one or more deputies to assis
| in such duties, not to exceed one in each MUM
| cipal township, each Of whom, before entering
upon the duties of his office, shall take aud sub
scribe an oath or affirmation to support tie con
stitution OF the United States, and faithfully
discharge the duties nposed on him by this ac
according to the best OF his skill and Judgment,
which oath OF affirmation shall be administered
to them severaly, and be duly ce tilted by
indge Or clerk o the district court otleC. State
or Judge or clerk of the probats court 0
the several counties, or by ajustice of the peac,
and filed and recorded in the office ofthe secre
tary Of the Territory. sJ
SEC. 2. In case ofany vacancy in the office O
sheriff, the duties imposed upon such sheriff b,
this act shall devolve upon and be performed b,
the Judge ofprobate court ofthe county in which
such vacancy may exist, who may appoint depu
Ties not 10 eACceu OHc III 6dCn LluillCIlbI lDWn
ship, and in case the office of both shoriff an,
probate judge shall be or become vacant, tn
government shall appoint some competent resi-
dent Of such county to perform such duty, VIII
shall have the same right to appoint deputies
take and subscribe the same oath, and perforr
all the requirements of this act as applied t
sheriffs. 81 l3Ha
SEC g. 1t shall be the duty of the sheriff
oE.fa ,,,16 .t,,J
Eernor, as herein provided in each county or el
cction district on or before the tenth day of A
pil next, to file in the office of the probate ude
of such county or election district, full an
complete list of all the qualified voters residen
in his said county or election district on tho frs
day Of April, eighteen hundred and Fifty sever
which list shall exhibit in a faif and legibl
hand the names of such legal voters. II IS
i SEC. a. 1t shall be, and is hereby made, tn
duty Of each probate Judge, upon such return
being made, without delay to cause to be post
cd at three Of the most public places in each e.
ection district, onecopy Of such list Of qualiet
v.ters to the end that every inhabtant may in
u spect the same and apply to said probate udg
to correct any error he may find therein, in til
manner hereinafter provided. 3H iafat Il
SEQ. 5. Said probate judge shall remain !
, session each day, Sundays excepted, from til
me otrecciv ng said returns until the first da
Of May next at such places as shall be most con
| vcnent to the inhabitants Of the county and (
; lection district, and procsed TO the inspection
said returns and hear, correct and finally ds
terlnine according to the facts. without unreas
q enable delay, all questions concerning the omis
sion Of any person from said retnrns, or the in
proper insertion Of any name on said Il return
and any other question affecting the integrit
or fidelity Of said returns; and for this p1rpos
shall have noyyer Ia Administer oatbs and a,a.s