The Kanzas news., 1858-01-16

from voting by threats of personal violence,
or other means of intimidation. 1t ought,
also, to provide punishment for officers of
the election who shall fail, neglect or refuse
to send up the returns within specified
time.
The election law ought also to be amend
ed so as to require every person to vote at
the precinct near which he resides, and in
no case to be allowed to vote outside of his
own municipal township. The number of
election precincts ought to be increased, so
as to have them convenient for the people
to attend the polls. At present, there is
only one precinct in some of the counties,
and the people of the whole county are
thus compelled to go to that place to vote.
| This should be corrected. The County
Commissioners should be authorized TO es-
tabIish as many voting places as they may
deem necessary; and all county and town
ship officers ought to be elected by the
people
4 time should be fixed within which
election returns should be made. The
Judges of election ought to make their re-
turns to the County Clerks, and certified
abstracts of the same should be by them
sent to the Secretary of the Territory
Penalties should be imposed for the non
performance of these duties, as also for
neglecting or refusing to serve as judges of
election when appointed. At present, there
is no provision of law authorizing an cleo
ton to FILL a vacancy in any Office, except
where in consequence of tie vote, the peo-
pie may have failed to elect. This is
very serious omission, and ought to be
remedied.
The provisions of can Act to provide
for the location of Territorial roads in the
Territory of Kanzas," have not been COM
piled with They ought to be enforced by
afixing penalty for official neglect in such
cases.
At present the law provides for four
Justices of the Peace, and but one Consta-
BILE for each municipal township in which
there is an incorporated city. This should
be changed so that there should be two
Justices and two Constables in each town
ship, and special provisions should be made
for incorporated cities and towns, accord
ing to their population.
The organization and establishment of
Common Schools throughout the Territory,
ought to receive every encouragement, and
the lands applicable to school purposes
ought to be protected. The duty of watch
should be imposed on the Justices of the
Peace and Constables, and they be held re-
sponsible for them, until the School Trust
ees shall be elected and take charge of the
same. Every precaution ought to be taken
to preserve these lands from depreciation,
and apply them to the very laudable pur-
poses for which they were intended.
would call your attention to the neces-
sity of devising means to build up Ter
ritorial Library at the seat of Government,
which should be placed under the control of
the Secretary, who is the proper custodian
of the books and archives. By requiring
every person to whom a commission may
be issued, to pay small fee to the Library
fund, considerable sum may be realized
every year, and it would not. be long until
you would have a Library of great value.
These are some of the chief objects to
which l desire to call your attention at
this time, and it will afford me pleasure at
all times to cooperate with you in the en-
actment of all just and proper laws within
the sphere of the powers conferred by the
Organic Act. That Act is to the Territory
what Constitution is to an organized
State. Its authority is paramount and can
not be transcended by us. The powers it
conters are speclhc, and must not be dIsre-
garded. 1t is, in fact, the chart by which
we must shape our course. So long, there
fore, as we shall limit our official action to
its provisions-listen to wise counsels-
avoid hasty legislation, pursue such a
course as will give security to the lives, lib
erty, and property of the people-lay aside
personal animosities for the public good,
and hold the Territorial officers to strict
accountability for the faithful execution of
the laws, we can have nothing to fear. 1t
may be in your power to restore tranquil
ity and insure prosperity to the Territory,
or you may establish a reign of terror
which will be disastrous to all the best in
terests of the people, who have entrusted
you with legislative authority. Such is the
ccudition of affairs in the Territory at this
time. Shall reason or passion prevail?
J. w. DENVER.
Sa,eretary and Actinp Governor