Squatter sovereign., 1857-01-27

aad oi the press, and the right of public
discussion upon all matters affecting the
inierests OF the people, are the great con-
siitutonal Safeguards of popular rights
liberty aud happiness.
The Act In relation 10 a territorial libra
ry, makes the ouditor cx-efficio Librarian
and gives him authority to audit his own
accounts. These offices should be distinct
as theif duties conflict.
The congressional appropriation for a
territorial library has been expended IN the
purchase Of a very valuable collection oi
books.
Time and space will not permit me lo
point out all the Inconsistencies ami incon-
gruitiss found in the Kansas statutes,
passed. as they were. under the influence
of excitement, and In too brief period TO
secure mature deliberation, many of them
ars open TO criticism and censure, and
should pass under your careful revision,
with a view to modification or repeal.
Some which have been most loudly COM
planned of have never been enforced. II
Is bad principle to suffer dead-letter laws
to deface the statu.e-book. II impairs
salutary reverence for law, and excites in
the popular mind questioning of all law,
which directly leads TO anarchy and confa-
sion. The best way Is TO leave no law Oh
the siatute-book which is not uniformly and
promptly TO be administered with the au-
liloriiy and power of the government.
In travelling through the territory, l
have discovered great anxiety In relation
10 the damages sustained during the past
civil disturbances, and everywhere the
question has been asked as to whom they
should look for indemnify. These injuries,
burning houses, plundering fields and steal
ing horses and ether property, have been
Il fruitful source Of irritation and trouble,
aud lave impoverished many good citizens.
They cannot be considered as springing
from purely local causes, and as such, the
subjects OF territorial redress. Their ex-
citing cause has been outside Of this terri
tsry, aad the agents in their perpetration
have been the citizens of nearly every
state in the Union. 1t has been species
OF national warfare waged upon the soil OF
Kansas; and it should not be forgotten
that both parties were composed OF men
rushing here from every section of the
Union; that both co!nnisted acts which no
law can Justify; and the peaceable citizens
OF Kansas have been the victims. In ad
justing the question of damages, it appears
proper that broad and comprehensive
view Of the subject should be taken, and /
have accordingly suggested to the general
government the proprIety OF recommending
TO Congress the passage Of an act proyid-
iag for the appointment OF commission.
to take testimony and report to Congress
for final action, al as early day as pos
slble.
There is not single officer in the terri
tory amenable TO the people or to the Gov
~rnor; all having been appointed by the
Legislature, and holding their offices until
1857. This system Of depriving the peo-
pie Of the just exercise of their rights,
cannot be too strongly condemned.
A faithful performance OF duty should
be exacted from all public officers.
As the Executive, desire that the mos>
cordial relations NAV exist between myself
and all other departments OF the govern
ment.
Homesteads should be held sacred, moth
ing SO much strengthens a government as
giving its citizens solid stake in the
country. / am in favor of assuring to
every industrious citizen one hundred and
sixty acres Of land.
The money appropriated by Congress
nearly expended. / have asked for n
additional appropriation Of fifty thousand
dollars, which will scarcely be sufficient to
the building upon the plan adopt
ed by the architect.
Where crime has been so abundan ut, the
necessity for territorial penitentiary is too
evident to require elaboration, and have
suggested a congressional appro-
priation for this purpose.
The Kansas river, the natural channel
to the west. which runs through valley
OF unparalleled fertility, can be made
navigable as far as Fort Riley. distance
OF over one hundred miles, and Congress
should be petitioned for aid to accomplish
this laudable purpose. Fort Riley has
been built at an expence exceeding five
hundred thousand dollars, with the expec-
ta,ion that the river was navigable to that
place, and doubtless the general govern
lnent will readily unite with this territory
to secure this object.
a geological survey. developing the
great mineral resources of this territory, is
so necessary as merely to require notice.
Provision for this useful work should I'M
be made.
The early disposal of the public lands
and their settlement, will materially ad
vance our substantial prosperityt Great
anxiety prevails among the settlers to Sc
cure titles to their lands The facilities
for this purpose, by but one land-oftice in
the territory are inadequate to the public
wants, and / have consequently recon-
meaded the establishment of two or more
additional land offices in such positions as
viii best accommodate the people.
After mature consideration, and from a
conviction OF its propriety, have
large congressional appropria-
hons. The coming immigration attracted
by our unrivalled soil and climate, will
speedily furnish the requisite population to
make a sovereign state. Other territories
have been for years the recipients of con-
gressional bounty, and similar quantity
Of money and land bestowed upon them