Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-08

Tho Kansas Ipvsstigattng Committee.
Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia, last week pre-
sented to the committee. a report on the part
of the majority, going into an elaborate
argument Of the whole question involved, and
fully endorsing the Presidents position and
message.
Ths report treats first Of the legitimate OBJ
!jects of inquiry for the committee under the
resolution of their appointment These are,
all laws, facts, and proceedings in relation to
the L"compton constitution bearing upon the
question Or rropriety of the admission of
Kansas under it. These, in the opini OF
the committee. embrace
First--The law taking the sense of the peo.
pie upon the expedicncy of calling Conven-
ton.
Sec md The llw providing for the ca Il o
a Convention in purs uancc OF the popular
will expressed.
Third-The registration Of voters and the
apportionment of delegates made by Score
tsry Stanton.
Fourth--rhe assembling of the Convention
at Lecompton and their action 10 submitting
the slavery question, the only one 10 contro-
versy, to the people.
F,lr--rhe constitution formed by the Con-
ventun so assembled.
Sxtb--The action Of the people on the
questions in it submitted 10 vote on the 2lst
Of December
These are regarded by the N ajority Of the
committee as all the essential facts mbraced
in the call The report maintains that per-
feet legality and regularity marx every step
of the proceedings in Kansas, and then takes
10 and answers the objections which do not
arise ON the face of the record.
Tue position of Gov Walker that no con-
stisution can be valid which is not first ratl
fed By popular vote, il shown to be un;ena-
bic, both on principle and authority. None
of the constitutions OF the old states were thus
ratified, and many of the new have not been.
The second Objectionable want OF an enabling
acts shown to be untenab!e by numerous
precedents, the case Of California in particular.
Another OH ection is as to the fairness of the
registry AID appointment. This Is also
answered There are thirty-eight counties
in Kansas, tW enty-One OF which were repre-
sented. Thirteen Of the others have little or
no population. 10 these thirteen, at the 4!h
of January election. there were less than one
hundred votes cast against the construction
The four others had no registry, because the
officers were not permitted to make it, They
wxe driven away by force and threats
The report ignores the votes of the 4th 0!
January. although arguing that n fair inter
probation OF that vote. upon the basis of ap-
poriionment made hy Secretary Stanton,
would show that the constitution had not
been defeated even then.
The report is very elaborate and closes
with an urgeGt argument for the admls-
siop of Kansas as recommended by the
President. This is urged as hes: for Kansas
as we'll as the peace and harmony of the whole
Union.
The report is only impcrtantas an endorse
ment Of the President. OF course, no add
tional light is thrown upon the subject, for
the public have already been placed in pos
session Of all the facts.
The report and resolutions were carried
by vote of eight t. seven.
The Commute, alter having voted down
motion II adjourn 10 Thursday night, ad'
journcd sine die, with the understanding that
Mr.. Stephens would not present bis report to
the House for few days, allowing the mi
nority time to prepare theirs. 1t is under
stood there will be two minority reports, As
in the Senate from the Dyuglas Demo-
Gratis, and the other from the Republicans.