Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-01-08
Walkers Letter of Resignation.
The following is the conclusion to Gov.
Walkers letter, resigning the office of
Governor of Kansas -

"On reference to the Territorial law
under which the convention was assem-
bled, thirty four regularly organized coun-
ties were named as election districts for
delegates to the convention. In each
and all of these counties it was required
by law that a census be taken and the
voters registered, and when this was COM
pleted the delegates to the convention
should be apportioned accordingly. In
nineteen of these counties there was no
census, and therefore there could be no
appointment there of delegates under such
census, and in fifteen of these counties
there was no registry Of voters. These
fifteen counties including many of the
oldest organized counties in the Terrific
ry, were entirely DISTINGUISHED, and, byI
no fault of their own, could not give a
solitary vote for the delegates to the ccr
vention.
The result was superinduced by the
fact that the Territorial Legislature APP
pointed al The Sherifs and Probate
Judges in all these counties to whom was
assigned the duty by law of making this
census and registry. That these officers
were political partizans, dissenting from
the views and opinions of the people of
Kansas, and the people of these counties,
was proved by the election in October
last. These officers, in want of funds, as
they alleged, neglected or refused to
make any registry in those counties, and
therefore they were entirely disfranchis-
ed, and could not and did not give a sin
gle gote at the election for delegates to
the Constitutional Convention.
"And here I wished to call attention to
a distinction, which will appear in nay
inaugural address, in reference to those
counties where the voters were fairly reg
istered and did not vote. In such coun-
ties, where full and free opportunity was
given to register and vote, and they die
T not choose to exercise such a privilege
| the question is very different from those
counties where there was no census or reg
t istry, and no vote was given, or could bt
r given, however anxious the people nigh
4 be to participate in the election of dele
0 gates to the Convention. Nor could j
be said these counties acquiesced 70
Y wherever they truly endeavored, by a sub
e sequent census or registry of their OWL
: to supply this defect, occasioned by pre-
vious neglect of the Territorial officer:
n the delegation thus chosen were rejecte
!, by the Convention. l repeat that i
Q nineteen counties out of thirty four ther
was no census. In fifteen counties OF
It of thirty four there was no registry, an
e not solitary vote was given or could
e given for delegates to the Convention
2t any of these cases. Surely then it cal
1t not be said that such a Convention, CHI
D sen by scarcely more than one tenth
'e the present voters of Kansas, represen
Re ed the people of that territory, and cou
ID rightfully impose a Constitution upC
- them without their consent.
p "These nineteen counties, of whic
BIS there was no census, constituted a maio
u, ity Of the counties of the territory, al
nd these fifteen counties, in which there W
lie no registry, gave much larger vote
h. the October election, even with the S
nd months qualification, than the whole VIC
on given to the Lecompton Convention
10. the 18th Of November last. If the SO
9st ereignty can be delegated, and conve
is Ventions, as such, are sovereign, which
ry deny, surely it must be only in such
,ol ses as when such conventions are chos
an by the people, which we have seen "
lu- not the case as regards the late Lecon
. ton Convention.
ng at was for this and other reasons, tn
he in my inaugural and other addresses
It insisted that the Constitution should
at submitted to the people by Conventi
he as the only means of curing this Vi
icy defect in its organization. 1t was the
eco fore, among other reasons, that when.
lch you know, the organization called
we Topeka State government was made, g
p as the consequence an inevitable G.
-; war and conflict must have ensued. tn
ipe results were prevented by my assur
eed not the abolitionists' as has been errc
lor ously stated, for my address was not
tho them, but to the people Of Kansas, ii
be in my judgment the Constitution wo
ub- be submitted fairly and freely for ra
you cation OR rejection by their vote;
VI that, if this was not done, / would III
rest with them (he people, as now do,
you lawful opposition to such procedure.
Oan "The power and responsibility be