Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-03-17
REPORT OF THE KANSAS INVESTIGATION
\ - e COMAlTTEE.
WAsHrrofon, March 10. 1858

rs 81 WAsHrNGroH, March 10. 1853
The report Of the majority of the Kansas commit.
ee, WHICH Mr.. Stephens is about to publish on his
responsibility, not having obtained consent to
present it in the House, sets out by saying that the
subject matter to which attention should be directed
was: a
First The law for taking the census Of the peo-
pie. Second-The law calling the convention.-'
Third-The registry of the voters and the appoint
ment under it -Fourth-The assembling Of the
convention and its Journal Fifth-The constitution
SO made. Sixth-The official vote on the ratification
of the subject submitted Seventh-The committee
fled not deeming it material, the act of December
last providing for vote against the slavery clause
on 4th January. Eighth-The official announcement
of that vote and ninth-the written statement of
Gen. Calhoun in relation to the registry Of votes.
etc-bu. which sheds no light on the subject.
The report says that these facts show great regu-
larity, and strict conformity to law; and that no
State heretofore applying for admission has shown
q clearer record a. .tro
No objection to the admission of Kansas arises on
the usual inquires-frst, to the application Sec
ondly, to the regularity of the proceedings and
thirdly, whether the Constitution is republican in
form.
The report then answers the objections going very
fully into reply to Gov. Walkers argument found
ed on his assumption, that the validity of every
State Constitution depends its having received
the sanction of popular vote. This assumption
is denied, as not being sustained by principle or
authority. ....
Sovereignty, Governor Walker says is inalenable,
and rests exclusively with the people. This is grant
ed but the report says it does not follow that
reign power cannot be delegated. The formation of
a Constitution requires the exercise of sovereign
power but does the c0mmonest act of Legislation.
If the one can be delegated can the other. All
the Constitutions of the old States, were made by
conventions without notifications, except that of
Massachusetts,.
The Constitution of the United States was ratified
by State conventions and never by the popular vote.
The amendments to it are to be concurred in by
State Legislatures and not by the popular VOTE TO
give them validity. If Gov. Walkers doctrine is
correct, we should be without State Constitutions
laws in half of the States of the Union The objec
ton that an enabling act is necessary is also answer
ed and shown to be untenable, both in principle and
authority.
The question relative to the registry and appoint
ment is very fully treated The charge that nine
teen counties were disfranchised is completely an.
swered There but thrty-four organized coun.
ties in Kansas Twenty one of these were repre-
sented Nine of the thirteen unrepresented counties
have very little population. In seven of them not
a vote cast at the January election against the
Constitution. In two others of the nine less than
one hundred votes were thrown and in the four
remaining, namely: Franklin Anderson, Coffee and
Breckenridge, there were but eleven hundred and
hrty-fve. In these four counties the officers were
prevented from making registry.
The report also shows, from the registry and APP
portonment, together with the official returns that
at the fourth of January election, the five counties
of Leavenworth, Atchison, Douglas, Doniphan, and
Jefferson cast five thousand one hundred and eigh.
teen votes, which is majority of the whole vote
cast throughout the territory against the Constitu
ton. And yet all these counties were registered
| and represented in the convention, having thirty
six of the sixty delegates of which the convention
was composed.
If it be true that the opponents of the Constitu-
ft,o
ties and violent in their opposition why did they
not elect men to form Constitution more to their
liking ?-They had within four votes of two-thirds
of the Convention; why, then, did they fail to act
at the proper time? Their refusal, therefore, did
not invadate the just fair and legal action of the
Convention.
The resolution under which the committee
| appointed, directed them to inquire whether the
Lecompton Constitution is acceptable and satisfac-
factory to the people? The reply to this that the
only correct test is the balobox, and such an ex-
preston of the popular will as is there given at the
proper time and place, according to law. By this
test the Constitution was adopted by an overwhelm-
! ing majority Of those who joined in the election.
These only can be considered the bona tide ct-
zens of Kansas.-Others who abstained naaLG
ide residents, who weht to Kansas for mischief and
strife. They are seleacknowledged outlaws, and are
not to be considered as constituent elements of
muty or society, against which they in open re-
! bellion.
But on the 4th OF January, at the election for
State officers under the Constitution, more than H.,
600, voters in Kansas did go to the polls and thus
showed concusvely that at least four-ffths of the
voters of that Territory willing to vote for the
election of State officers under the Constitution.
This shows that the Constitution was not only &C.
ceptable but that it has been accepted by at least
four fths of the voters of that territory, though
hot entirely satisfactory to all of them.
The committee declined to 60 into an investigation
of the aledged frauds at the January election for
State officers for want of jurisdiction of the House
over the subject. They say they can no more in
vestgate frauds relating to the election of State Off
GERS in Kansas than in any other State Those
matters to be inquired into by other appropriate
legitimate tribunals If the seat of the member of
Congress elected to this House be contested on the
ground of alleged Frauds the House would have
jurisdiction that question but not as to frauds
in the election of Governor members of the Leg
islature of Kansas.
The report concludes with recommendation for
the admission of the State of Kansas in pursuance
of the views of the President, believing the welfare
and prosperity of the people of Kansas as well as
the general welfare peace and harmony OF the whole
Union will thereby be promoted.
1t is ascertained that about twenty-five more
speeches to be delivered in the Senate on the
Kansas BILL but notwithstanding this it is, supposed
the vote will be taken next week. Those made in
the House to-day on the same subject were read
from manuscript. Fifty members at least still de-
sire to get the floor to express their views Kan
sas matters.