Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-05-15

lectcd In each district 10 correct the regis ;
try list, and proceed together 20 register the
legal voters.
The Probate Judges 10 correct the frss
lists, an appointment made according 10
these returns by the four judges Of the elsc-
ton, two Of each party 10 be elected In each
precinct The names Of three Of the said
Judges required TO give certificates 70 entitle
the person 10 seat In the convention.
Knowing the fact that hundreds Of nom
residents are already enrolled, this would
seem 70 be fair proposition, But il meets
with no favor Governor Stanton anwers
the proposition in the following letter, which
the Cincinnati Enquirer calls IN admirable
one; f t. ~
Exrcurivr 0rrioE,
Lecompton, X. T., April 30, 1887.
Gentlemen Yours OF the 26th inst
reached me only by last nights mail.
proceed without delay to reply 70 the pro-
position you make in reference 10 the cleo
ton about he held Cor Delegates 70 Con-
stitutional Convention.
As take different Wow Of the laws Of
the Territory from that which you express,
Il will be impossible Cor me 70 consent 20
any new proceeding In opposition 70 that
which has been sanctioned by the legislative
authorities. .f |
| did not hear from General Maclean any |
such admission rs you represent him TO have
made That gentleman spoke only Of HE
individual action In the particular mention
cd, and whether that action was right or
wrong, or whether II occurred In that indi-
yidual instance only, or In thousand 9TH
ora, by men either from Missouri or Massa-
chusctts, II could not mvalidate the laws
which now prevail In tho Territory -
III | bolieved---as do not beliove--your ne.
sertion that the laws Of Kansas were ''en-
acted by n Legislature elected BY the poo
plo OF an adjoining State" IL would be Inn
possible for me 10 sot them aside--tho at
tempt 10 do 40 would bo groSs usurpation,
not less objcctional IN its character and
effects than tho fraudulent interference
which you attribute 10 tho people OF Mis-.
souri, l must, therefore, say 10 youin the
most explicit language, that can do moth
Ing which denies the authority and validity
of tho laws enacted within this Territory.
Congress alone has the power 10 abrogate
them.
| have no authority over tho Probate
Judges II n not my province 70 advise
them In relation 10 the performance OF their
judicial functiona Yet Il will not be Inn
proper Cor mo 10 say that Il would be very
judicous and becoming In them 10 obtain
every possible information from rcspeota.
BILE men Of both parties, In order 10 enable
them 30 correct the list OF voters If such
impartial men Of their own will and within
the time limited by law, could take new
census and present II 10 tho Probate Judges
with sufficient proof OF Ia fairness aud 40
curacy, think tho Probate Judges would
DO bound 10 adopt II and return II 10 the
Governor az the true list legally corrected.
should be sorry 10 soc any Probate Judge
In the Territory refuse 10 receive the sworn
| testimony Of two respectable men, differing
> In politics, rs 20 any matter within thcir
!. knowledge connected with the residence Of
citizens and their qualifications az yotes--
do not believe that such n wrong can pos
r sibly have occurred, and therefore say that
IL YOU had been dosirous Of obtaining q
!. correct list Of voters for the coming cleo.
ton, you had u In your power 10 accomplish
y that objeo. In perfect conformity with the
!. law.
= III not my purpose 10 reply 10 your
= statement Of hcts. | cannot do 20 from
!. any personal knowledge, enabling me either
10 admit or deny them. may say, howey
. err have heard statcmonts--quite as au
Q thentic ~ your own, and Ia some instances
y from men OF your own party--to the elect
!, that your political friends have very gener
" ally, Indeed almost universally, refused u
v participate In tho pending proceedings fol
Q registering the names OF the legal voters
, In some instances they have given fictitioul
4 names, and In numerous others they have
;, refused 10 give any names nc oil. You can
not deny that your party have heretofore 70
- solved not 10 take any part In the registra
j ton and II appears 20 me that, withou
4. indulging ungencrous suspicious OF the In
: tegrity OF officers you might well attribute
70 any errors and omissions Of the sherihs 4
3 tho existence Of this wellknown and con
10 trolling fact forbear 10 say anything o
the unreasonableness Of your Requirement
= that we shall set aside the law in order =
= accomplish what you have refused 10 do II
A. obedience 10 its provisions; but / viii b
u most happy 10 learn that you, gentlemen
L. and your party friends generally, have beef
az Mt work In earnest, with view 10 enabi
y the Probate Judges 10 present true ant
10 perfect list Of the legal voters OF the Tel
I'd ritory. You have had power 10 correct tn.
D. lsts--if you have failed 10 do II the iaul
h viii be your own.
- In reference to your proposition 10 appoin
! four Judges Of election ut every place Of vo
he ting, / have 10 say that the law very wisel
IL authorizes only three. The Governor ba
es nothing TO do with their appointments Iii
an not in my power, therefore, 10 adopt you
-. suggestions in this particular. If ha
w any authority in the matter, ] would, in o.
TO sry instance, appoint as judges Of election
he one Republican OF your. party, one Nations
NJ Democrat in favor Of Free State, and on
~. National Democrat in fayer ola Slave Stat
'ee This would be quite as fair and impartial
m mode Of proceeding as ever Is, or indse
,ht can be adopted by political parties In an
TO country 1most sincerely hope the Proba'
Judges may adopt this suggestion, or an
other which may better avail 10 secure
sin perfectly fair and independent expressio
iet Of the popular will -
os- Ihave the honor To be, very respectful.
your obedient servant,
FREDERICK p. STANTON,
'oe Secretary and Acting Governor Of Kans'
Of To q Robinson, William Hutchinson, Z
lev ward Clark and others.
but We give the letter in full Let tho
tho admire itwho can. ltreveals very cles
ate " that there Is bui little hopes Of freedo
emit from that quarter. But il will come fro
ITS, another quarter. II is simply squestion
no time N''e
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