Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1857-02-11
Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune
Law MHkinX in lAAnsNS.

The bogus law makers here are not discouv,
aged by the just. The fact that their previous
acts have been to a great extent dead letter,
or that they could not enforce them does not
prevent them from making more. As yet there
are no very startling measures acted upon, but
enough OF political cast to show they have
neither relinquished their Intentions their hope
nor their bitterness
So far, private bills, or charters of one.kind
and another, are the order of the day. If in
ternal improvements could be carried on by
bills going through the Legislature, Kansas
would soon be intersected by roads and bi.sect-
ed with railroads. The members of both branch
es of this wild, law-making body seem to think
they have discovered the means by which ina.
tions and individuals may become sick" and char
| ters conveying extraordinary privileges, the
law makers considerably granting nearly all of
| them to members of their own bodies.
The most important measure yet introduced
is bill repeating the test oath laws of last ses-
sion. This will be claimed by the ProSavery
Democracy as victory, and may be regarded
as such by those not familiar with affairs here
1t is certainly a step in good direction, but a
careful examination of the purpose for which
it was taken and all the good its repeal can
now accomplish only prove the willy character
of the men who have got Kansas under their
feet.
Although every member of the Council voted
for the bill, all who spoke on it declared that
they had not changed their opinion, that the
principle on which these test oath laws were
forwarded is just and will only be disapproved
by vicious, ianatical population. The reason
given for their votes on the repeal of these
laws was that it was now policy so to do. On
account of the practical state of public senti-
ment at the North, their friends of the National
Democracy who had stood so pobly by them IN
the late Presidential election required it TO DC
done in order that they might be able to sus-
tain themselves Besides, as matters were it
would be policy to repeal these laws, aud per-
haps, some few others, in case Congress might
refuse to accept Kansas with Slave Constitution.
They would, therefore, vote for the repeal, as
the Territory was now organized, and as all the
officers, local and county, were appointed, and
would hold Office until Kansas was a Slate.--
These tests were only useful for the Territory.
True the test oath to voters would exclude the
Free Soiers from the polls, but these had al
ways refused to vote at their elections, and it
was desirable that obstacles should be removed
80 that many of them could vote now. They
were not afraid of the issue of the election and
if the Free State men voted it would strengthen
their position. Such Were the reasons given by
the members of the Council for voting on the
repeal as question of policy.
A bill has been introduced and has gone
through one House, authorizing Judges to ad-
init persons to bail for any crime, even murder,
but leaving the bailing of prisoners for any Of
fence in the discretion of the Court.
There is bill in each House for the appoint
ment OF two collectors, and making provision
for the collection OF such taxes they may
levy for general purposes, or for county build
ings, roads, SC.
Some one or two county seats have been
permanently located, and it is evident that all
the counties not now organized by this body
for them.
Several bills of unimportant character have
passed through both Houses and received the
signature of the Governor. The Governors
Message is not alto sether liked by the pro-sla-
very men the suggestions SO far as they would
affect the present position strength OF the
pro-slavery inen will be disregarded. The Gov
ernor either does not intend, or will not pre-
vent their course OF Legislation. -
Amongst other railroad charters, bill has
gone through the House, for chartering road
to be constructed from Lecompton to Galveston,
Texas. This wild project is in accordance with
a suggestion of the Governor. 1t pIeares the
pro-slavery men, because it is regarded as bind
ing Kansas to the South, aud rendering Kan
sas Independent of the Abolition East and North.
An incident occurred which exhibits the state
OF IeennS between the governor aud the Le-
gslature. 1t appears that Gov. Geary has re-
fused to commission the successor Of Sheriff
Jones, Mr.. Shanard. A bill was introduced in
the House, legalizing that functonary as Sher-
if of Douglas County, and his past acts A
committee was appointed to wait on the Gover-
nor and ask his reasons for refusing the COM
mission. The Governor sent special Message,
| stating that he had been memorialized by the
citizens of Lecompton. and by one of the
Judges of the Court that appointed him, not
| to commission him, and that he was an intem-
perate man and lawless brawler, and his in
structions from Government were to commits
sion none such. This gives dissatisfaction, and
| is considered as evading the point