Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-03-27
Kansas Investigating Committee Report
of the Minority.

The Republican minority Of the Select Com
mittce Of fifteen, by Mr.. Morrill,, will now pub
fish their report, as that of the majority has
been spread before the public, and that of Mr.
Harris for himself and Mr.. Adrian Douglas
democrats, is in type.
Mr.. Morrls report aludes to the protracted
struggle from which the appointment Of the
committee arose, and declares that the assump-
ton on the part of the majority that the record
is complete, like the refusal to submit the Con-
stitution Of Kansas to full and fair vote of the
people, is confession that thorough investi-
CATION would prove fatal to the extraordinary
document
Tho Pro~id"nt'- messages, the report of the
majority and the conduct of John Calhoun are
treated at length. The pledges of submission
on the part OF the Nebraska Kansas advocates,
the President, and so down to the "Union." etc.
also claim their attention. They say that their
wanton violation is denounced as Punic faith.
The whole series of alleged frauds is set forth
in chronological order. The illegahty and ir-
regularity of the Lecompton Constitution from
the beginning are set forth by long array of
facts, step by step. Their propositions are as
follows:
I'VE claim that this Convention could not
make valid Constitution,
al. Because, whatever inherent power the
people may possess Congress refused all legal
authority to the Territorial Legislature TO call
the Convention, though urged by President
Pierce.
~. because the Legislature which created it
was itself the creature of fraud and foreign in
Nasion, and that this nsurpation was never con-
sumated by the acquescence of the people.
80. Because the act of that Legislature. pass
ed Feb, ~ 1891, to provide for taking CEN
Sus' and the election of delegates to a Conven-
ton, was never fairly executed. The census
was incomplete, the registry was incomplete
the apportionment was incomplete, and the
number of delegates assembled was incomplete
81. Because through the nefariouS apportion-
ment, the threatened exclusion from the polls
unless coupled with the payment of tax to sup
port government imposed upon them by high
handed outrages. through lack of all confidence
of protection at the polls from violence and
fraud the majority did not and could not par
ticipatc in the election of delegates, and it was
therefore composed of mere faction entitled to
no regard.
-. DtCNuSt lilt luOSl nOlcu uelGEatpS nlpUp-
ed themselves to submit their work to the rati-
fication or rejection of the people-thereby Sc
curing their election-and afterward BETRAYED
their trust and did not so submit the Constitu
ton.
49, Because it is not in fact the work of a ma
jority of the Convention.
~ Because the Legislative, judicial and exc
cutiye powers conferred upon John Calhoun
transcribed the power of the Convention. and
there exercise was entirely illegal, and therefore
null and void
The proofs that the Constitution is neither
"acceptable' nor satisfactory to the people of
Kansas are exhibited. The fact of its utter re-
lection on the 18th of January is earnestly claim
cd to he the only legal thing about it. The re-
port closes as follows:
1.-The statements made in the report are foun
dcd upon official documents and conceded facts
but if any should be disputed we fearlesslv chal-
lenge such an investigation as will put their ac
euracy to the severest test. There is no scruti-
ny that we do not court, as there is no truth that
we do not seek. The whole purpose of the
Committee having been thwarted by the refusal
OF the majority to enter upon full and fair in
vestigation, we submit that the facts already
proven are enough to establish the positions we
maintain to the fullest extent.
81. That an investigation ought to have been
had by Committee, with the power and dispo
sition to send for persons and papers.
"2. That the President has been misnformed
and badly advised in relation to the condition
OF parties in Kansas. Though he saws "a 0rcnt
'detus'on seems to peryade the public mind il
is quite apparent that the public might with
greater justice say, Wou hyself 6ehoIdest NOT
the bedm IN thine O,cn eye.'
80. That i'll proportion as Congress has relax
ed ITS power over Territories, that of the Exec
u'ive has increased and that all difficulties can
not be removed until Congress shall resume ire
entire Constitutional authority.
~, That the maligned Topeka Constitution
was the act of the people of Kansas, accords now
more with the will of the people than any 9TH
or, and Is more entitled to the respect of Con-
gress.
%. That the plighted faith of the nation was
pledged to the people Of Kansas that any Con-