The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-05-14

eipCi0d by The fsoiJlc al an ADJOINING state,
it would siill he impossible for me 10 set
them aside--the attempt 10 do so would b.
an art ot great usnrpaton. not less objection
able in H. character and effects than the
fraudulent interference which you attribute
% the people Of Missouri. ! must, Therefore
say 10 YOU in the most explicit language
that can do nothing which denies the Al
,hority and validity Of the laws enacted in
this Territory Congn>s alone has power
to abrogate them.
have no authority over the Probate
judges. II Is not my province to advise
them in relation To the performance Of their
judicial functions. Yet il will not bs i'm
proper for me TO say, that il would be very
ndicious and becoming In them to obtain
every possible information from respectable
men of both parties. In order TO enable them
to correct the list Of voters. II such impair
,ial men, Of their own will. and within the
time limited by law, could take new census
and present il to the Probate Judges with
sufficient proof Of its fairness and accuracy,
| think the Probate judges would be
bound to adopt ii and return it To the
Governor IA the true list legally corrected.
| should be sorry to see any Probate judge
in the Territory refuse to receive the testi
mony Of two respectable men, differing Ia
politics, a. to any matter within their knowl-
edge, connected with the residence Of citi
gems, and their qualifications as voters.
do not believe such q wrong can have posi-
bly, occurred, and | therefore say that Il you
bad been DESTROYS VI obtaining correct list
Of voters for the coming election, you Ind
il in your power to accomplish that object
in perfect conformity with the law.
II Is not my purpose to reply to your
statement Of facts. ! cannot do 50 from any
personal knowledge enabling me either to
admit or deny them. ! may say, however
] have heard statements quite as authentic
as your own, and In some instances from,
members Of your own party, to the effect
that your political friends have very gener
ally, indeed almost universally. refused to
participate in the pending proceedings for
registering the names Of the legal voters
In some instances they have given fictitious
names, and In numerous Others they have r.
fused 10 give any names Of all You can
not deny that your party have heretofore ~
solved not TO take part in the registration
AMI it appears to me that without indulging
ungenero,s suspicious Of the integrity Of Of.
ticers, you might well attribute any errors
and omissions Of the Sheriffs to the existence
Of the well known and controlling fact. |
lorbear to say anything Of the unreasonable
ness OF your requirement that we shall se,
aside the law in order TO accomplish what
you have refused to do IN obedience to its
| provisions, but ] will BE- most happy TO learn
that you, gentlemen, and your party friends
generally, have been at work 10 earnest with
IA view To enable the Probate Judges TO PR
sent true and perfect list Of the legal vo-
| tiers Ot the Territory. You have had power
to correct the lists--if YOU have failel 10 DO
it. the fault will b. your own.
In reference TO your proposition to up
point four Judges 81 election at every place
Of voting, have 10 say that the law very
wisely authorizes only three. The Governor
has nothing todo with their appointment
IL is not in my power. therefore. to adopt
your suggestions in this particular. II /
had any authority in'thc matter ] would, ia
every instance appoint as Judges Of Flee
ton one Republican Of our party. one Ma
tional Democrat in favor Of a free State; this
would h. quite a. fair and as impartial
mode of Proceeding ~ ever is, or indeed can
he adopted by political parties in any coun
try | most sincerely hope the Probate
Judges may adopt the suggestion. or an,
other which may better avail to secure
perfectly fair and independent expression OF
the popular will
have the honor 10 be. very respectfully
Your obeiient servant.
FRED'K =. STANTON. Secretary,
aud acting Governor Of X ansas Territory
10 G. Robinson, VIM. Hutchinson Edward
Clark, and Others.