The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-02-14
From Kansas.
LEcoMpTaN, 4. T.. Jan. 2


LEGISLATURE OF THE TERRITORY.
Several important political measures have
already come under the consideration of the
Territorial Legislature, but up to this date
the absorbing business has been shoal OF
fcharter and corporation bills OF private
character. These latter originated, to a
great extent, with the members Of the Legis-
lature themselves. They are the corpora
tors for towns, railroads, banks, &C., and if
any other pro-slavery man wants measure
through this body, his easiest means of OBJ
tanning it is, by giving members large in
terest in the same.
This feature, as your readers we'll remem-
Der, characterized the legislation of this
body in the summer of 1855, and from ap-
pearanccs viii BIS carried to much greater
extent this season.
TEST OATS TO BE REPEALED.
\ bill passed the Council on Wednesday
repeating the test oaths imposed by law, at
the last session.
Four or five members spoke. declaring hat
they would vote for repeal through policy
otherwise q State Constitution recognizing
slavery could not be got through Congress.
The vote was unanimous in the same body
that ena ted them unanimously last year.
The members of the Council state that it
was no concession to the Free Sellers of the
Territory: to whom they declared endless
hostility.
The repeal of these test oaths, although a
just measure, is too late to be of value to
the PEOPLE Of the Territory. All the coun-
ties will be organized, and county officers
appointed by this body before it goes into
force, and these hold offices for several years,
and until Kansas will be State
Mr.. Shanard, who was appointed to fill the
vacancy caused by the resignation Of Jones,
by the County Court of D. uglas County
itself appointed by the Legislature-ha been
acting as Sheriff, although MOI commissioned
by the Governor Geary having re-
fused to commission him. This has been
considered by the pro-slavery men as an at
tack On their authority. A bill has been in
PRODUCED to the House, and having passed to
the third read"g, yeat into the hands of
Committee on Judiciary. 1t legalized the
past acts of the Sheriff, and authorized him
to act in such capacity Independent of guber-
material commission. At this stage, on no.
tce Of some one, committee was appointed
to wait on Governor Geary and demand OF
him his reasons for not commissioning Shan
nard.
The Coy. sent special message, replying
that the citizens Of Lecompton and of the
County Of Douglas had sent him memo
rial, protesting against the appointment Of
Shanard. One of the Judges of the County
Court had al:o protested against the ap-
poiutment to him; and that besides these
reasons, the appontee was man Of violent
passions and character, and incorporate
man, and would only raise mobs and distur-
Dances. His instructions from the General
Government were to commission none such
This message was received i'll silence by
the House. it Immediately adjourning.
Ii had been supposed that the Governor
would take the position that the people
should elect their officers, and that the ap-
pointmcnt was therefore invalid. The Gov
ernors position does not strike at their au.
thority altogether but there is much dis
cussion by the members in private, and a
determination to have their officers altoge
Their free from check or commission bv fed.
cral appointment, Or even the government
itself. Some act to accomplish this will be
passed.