The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-09-12
COPYRIGHT sEcURED.l
n seDressly for the Herald Of Freedom.
HISTORY OF KANSAS.
u,st Discovery by the French, to
tke Close of the Year 1857
By THE EDITORS.
CHAPTER XIV.

By THE EDITORS.
CHAPTER XIV.
.,zcrrryE coaMIrTEE-sTATE MOVEMENT FUL-
LY oRGASIzED-ELEcTIOSs. &C.
The Territorial Executive Committee
;nmsdiately entered upon their duties,
nd issued a proclamation addressed to
,hs LEGAL voters of Kansas, requesting them
IA meet at their several precincts on the
Oh day of October following, and cast
,bsirbaIIots for members of a Constitu-
taraI Convention, TO meet at Topeka on
he 4th Tuesday of October following.
At the same time and place the people
ve,e also to vote for Andrew II. Reeder
= "a Delegate to Congress, but in sepa-
nis ballot box.
The rules and regulations for govern
ipg this election were the same as were
usscribed by Gov. Reeder the March
FsyiOus.
The pro-slavery party had called an
slsctiun to be held on the Monday of DC.
tDber; but the people of Kansas refused
nrecognize this as their election, because
It was called by a body of men styling
themselves the Legislature of Kansas"
and also because of the odious impositions
AID test oaths.
To vote at this election, every man was
required to pay one dollar tar, and take an
cath to support the fugitive slave law and
the Kansas Nebraska bill.
The pro-slavery party held their cleo
tion on the first Monday of October, 1856,
and elected j. w. Whitfield as their Dele
gate to Congress, by unanimous vote of
s721. Over 1000 of them came from
Missouri for the purpose of voting as they
had done in the spring, and returned after
thseleetion. The poll books of the vari-
Gus precincts show them to have been
non-residents. And the settlers also
knew them to be strangers.
The company which came from Inde-
pcndence had gallows in their wagon,
with rope dangling from it. They said
twas for Gov. Reeder.
The pro-slavery papers on the border
spOlogized for the meagre vote for Whit
field, by saying there was no excitement
land the dollar tax-and the chills and
kyer-and Whitfield would have all the
votes anyhow-and it made no difference
whether he had few or many,as he would
certainly be admitted to his seat, he being
the only legal candidate.
The Free State party held their cleo
ton on the 9th of October, and elected
Andrew Fl. Reeder for their delegate tt
Congress by vote of 2,849-all actua
settlers.
On the same day, az delegates wer'
elected to frame State Constitution, by
an aggregate vote of 2,710. These dele
gates assembled atTopeka on the 22d day
Of0ctOber. and continued in session -
days.
1t resulted in forminga State Constitu.
ton. Resolutions were also passed tt
submit it to the people for popula
vote.
An election was held for this purpose
on the 18th day of December, 1856, ,whicl
resulted in its adoption by 1,778 votes.
The Executive Committee then ISSUED
proclamation declaring the adoption o
the Constitutions; and at the same timt
prOvided for an election to be held under
It on the 18th of January, 1856, for Stat
officers and members of the General As
sembly of the State of Kansas. Ther,
were two tickets put in nomination-th'
Black Law and Anti-Black Law.
itresulted as follows: For Governor, c
Robinson; Lieut.. Governor, w. 7. Rob
eFts; Secretary of State, P. C. Schuyler
Auditor, G. A. Cutler; Treasurer, j. A
Wakefield; Attorney General, II. Mile
Moore; Supreme Judges, n. Hunt, S. n
l.atta. NJ. F. Conway; Representative t
Congress, NJ. W. Delahay.
The result of the election was announc
ed by the Executive Committee.
Members of the Senate and House @
representatives were elected. They me
atTOpeka, March 4th, 1856, and took tn
cath of office.
After electing James II. Lane and Ar
Drew II. Reeder as United States Sens
'Ofs' and passing some preliminary laws
appointing codifying committee an
Preparing memorial to Congress, the
adjourned to meet on the 4th of Jul,
1856.
1t was understood the laws were not
oe considered vital, till the admission ,
Ashsas as a State into the Union. A
Tue proceedings were regular, open an
popular. The elections were legal, al
'ssed on popular rights and squatter so
e'eisnty. They were in harmony vii
snteeedents found in both States and TIE
ntories.
Ills but justice to notice more in dets
.ae iabors Of the Executive Committee
Aansas Territory, consisting of James
Lane G. w. Smith. P. C. Schuyler. G. Y
n'0wn,C. K. Holiday, j. K. Goodin, al
u. ). Parrot. who wers appointed at Il
a'st Topeka Convention, and afterwar
endorsed by the Constitutional Conve
aon' and charged with the responsible
d doing all necessary acts and things
sle setting in motion of State Cover
nsss
ihe Committee held 6 meeting inLa,
decide upon plan of action.