Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-03-15
GR 3alIg 2g.
MONDAY. MAaCH Is. 1858.
The BecomPGon Fraud - Mr. Hurris's


opposed to the objects for which the committee
was raised. We recently published an abstract,
received by telegraph, Of the report which Mr..
Stephens of Georgia. for the majority, (eight)
intended to submit. in which he attempted to
give the reasons f, n the non action of the COM
mitee On Friday, Mr.. Harris OF Illinois, on
behalf Of the minority (sevenl of the committee,
intended, but could not obtain leave to submit,
to the House their views upon the course pur-
sued by the majority, in defeating any attempt to
cary out the purposes fer which the committee
was raised, as they were Instructed TO act under
the authority of the resolve Of the House, of Feb
s. which created the commission, in the following
words, ITO inquire into all the facts connected
With the formation Of the Eccnmpton constitution,
and the laws under whcA the same was o1gina-
ted, and into all such facts and proceedings Ms
have transpired since the formation Of said con-
stitutioB, having relation to the question pro-
priety Of the admission Of said territory into the
Union under said constitution, and whether the
cam is acceptable and satisfactory to majori-
" Of the legal voters OF Kanzas, and that they
have power to send for persons and papers"
Clothed with this authority and power; and en-
trusted with the important trust thus given
the majority, disregarding the sacred duty in
cumbent upon them, stripped the resolution un.
der which they appointed Of all practical eff
tect and submitted in their report their own par
titan views and reflections in lieu of that evidence
which ought to have been collected by the COM
mittee as demanded by the terms of the resolve
above quoted.
Accordingly, the minority, in order to present
to the House (as they say) the entire action of
committee submit complete record of its min
utes and proceedings, occupying several columns
in the New York Tribune, which they append to
their report, as made through Mr.. Harris. Nj.
Harris's report is as follows:
aWith the exception of a call upon Mr. Call
houn, proposed by one of the undersigned, the
majority have resisted successfully every effort at
inquiry made BY either Of us, while they them
selves have elected nothing relative to the matter
of inquiry not already before the country. Indeed,
some Of the most important items of iniorma.
tion, admitted by the majority in the resolutions
adopted by them ia committee at its last session
to 0e essential - the Investigation, have never
been obtained by the committee to wit: the
vote Of the people under the law for taking their
sense for or against the constitutions the cleo.
tion ofdelegates. as Officially certified to, and 'the
vote on the adoption of the constitution under
its own schedule, and provisions as officially
adiudged and announced.' These important
facts-admitted to be essential by the majority
have not, as far as the undersigned have knowl-
edge, ever been brought before The committee.
In addition to these important facts, we thought
it entirely pertinent aud essential to the objects
Of our investigation to ascertain by the best evil
dence within our reach;
! The population Of the territory.
2. The disposition OF the people thereof toward
the government Of the United States.
3. Whether. as charged by the President, the
people OF kanzas are in rebellion against the
governmest under which they live.
4. Whether the alleged vote on the sense of the
people Tor or against constitution, was taken
under such laws and 10 such to enti-
tie it to be considered the of the people.
3. Whether the paper purporting to be the
Constitution of the State Of Kanzas' made
by the people over whom it is designed to act,
and embodies their wi fairly and legally ex-
pressed.
6. Whether the elections which have been held
10 connection with the formation of said consti-
tuition, both before ami since its adoption by the
%kSt thst vii Was aud s. fa
z. How far the results of the election on the
4th Of January. when they voted for said consti-
tuition and for State officers, is indicative Of the
will Of the people Of Kanzas either as to the pro.
prety Of the admission of said State into the
Union, or as showing whether the SAID constitu-
ton is acceptable and satisfactory to a majority
Of the legal voters Of Kanzas; and hence an in.
auiFy whether the returns of said election as pub
ilshed are true or false. And as further reason
for such inquiry, that as said constitution pro-
yides no mode Of correcting frauds, or contestng
elections, how far Congress might, by the admls
sion Of said State, commit itself to the endorse.
ment and confirmation of frauds, and to fastening
upon people a government and constitution
against its will.
8. Whether certain protests and resolves said
to have been passed by the Territorial Legislature
against the admission of Kanzas under the Lee
compton Constitution, ought not to be obtained
and considered as indicating the will of She peo-
pie in that regard
"a
which the undersigned thought material and es-
.sentia to the investigation ordered by the House.
az facts connected with the formation of said
CONSTITUTIONS and facts connected with the law
under which the originated and as
facts relating to the question propriety Of the
admission Of said Territory into the Union under
said constitution, and whether the same is accep-
table and satisfactory to majority of the legal
voters OF kanzas, were untouched, and unno-
tleed by the committee, and on the Sd ult the
committee, BY an adjournment sine die, brought
Its laoors to close, having, in our opinion. fail.
ed to accomplish any one important object for
which it was raised.
There are Of prominent citizens of Kan
gas, OF all parties, now here, who could have
given the most weghty evidence touching all
the points Of inquiry embraced in the resolution,
particularly in relation to the most monstrous
frauds perpetrated at the election on the Dist Of
December last.
We think there is no excuse for neglecting to
use the means within the reach Of the commit.
Tee, and for returning to the House with no infor-
nation but what was already in the possession Of
each OF its members when the investigation was
ordered, except the speculative ressonings and
casulslc fluctuations laid down by the majority
in their report, which, leaving out sundry quota
tons froIA the opinions of Governor Walker and
Senator Douglas, and some considerations grow
ing out Of these opinions, is but reiteration of
the views laid down in the Presidents message.
The majority OF the committee assume to decide
upon the proper line of inquiry, instead of obey
ing the order Of the House. If Congress cannot
inquire into the mode and manner OF the adop-
ton OF the Lecompton Constitution, then they
cannot inquire If It ever adopted at all.
We therefore submit that the committee have
land as we think the journal will bear ample
proof not conducted the investigation in accord
anee with the letter or spirit OF the instructions
Of tbs House directing il, but have done il in de-
rogation Of both.
The undersigned.claIm II to be their privilege
to report the proceedings Of the committee to the
House, TO the end that II the committee shall by
the House. be held to have failed to comply with
rs order, lac responsibility may rest where it
belongs. They also hold that under their views
OF the action OF the committee, it is their duty
70 report that action to the House, TO the end
mat \ may make such further order thereon as
may be deemed just and proper
(signedl TH0s L. HARRIS, Chairman.
HENRY BENEFIT, Ms wAIRBI1ap
U. d. aDHAlNi JAS BUFFINrDN
The Journal Of proceedings Of the committee.
whichliollows the report, is very long, and shows
ct every step the purpose Of the MAJORITY tof one,
TO avoid any investigation Of the monstrous
frauds BY which the Lecompton inlamy was con.