The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-01-08

NUM- duOlSuitlcc III ehC law
The law creating the county Board of
Supervisors, gives them unlimited power
in the laying out of townships and in
changing their boundaries. While this
important power is deposited in the pro-
per hands, would suggest that the num-
Der of townships be limited; and the area
fixed by law, below which the Board can
not reduce them. Small townships and !
small counties multiply officers and in a
crease expenses, without corresponding
benefit to the people. The proper time
to regulate these is in the incipient orga-
nization of State. Legislation has refer
eace to the future as well as to the pres.
eut
In an act in relation to "Counties and
County officers" passed at your last ses-
sion, power is conferred upon the County
Board of Supervisors ITO allow such
bounty for the destruction of wolves and
other noxious animals, in their respective
counties, as they may deem proper" (See
proviso in Chapter IL, Section 12) From
complaints made in regard to the destruc-
ton of property by wolves, direct your
attention to the law, that you may deter
mine whether additional legislation is nee
essary to accomplish its object.
The law passed February 18th, 1858,
for the permanent location of the County
Seats of the several Counties, by vote of
the people, declares that the places desig.
mated by the "highest number of votes"
shall be the County Seats of their respec-
tive counties. l submit it to your wisdom
and good judgment, whether the law
should not be made to read, "a majority
of all the votes'' cast at such election, &c.
There might be three or four towns con-
testing for the county seat In such a
case, the town containing the greatest
number of voters would obtain the favor,
and the County Seat be permanently"
located where not one-third of the voters
of the county would desire it; but each
anxious for his own local interest, had
cast his vote accordingly. Much lasting
evil might result from the law as it now
reads.
Complaints are made of Territorial and
County Officers, that they do not hold
their offices at such places as are desig-
mated by law. If power were given the
Executive to declare such offices vacant,
and to fill the vacancies so created, it
would soon cure the evil and silence COM
plant
would advise an entire revision of the
several Election laws upon the Statute
Books. As they now stand, one set OF
officers is required to be elected by ballot;
another vira uoce. This leads to misap.
prehensions, and annoying contests may
arise.
The quiet and welfare of the Territory
depends greatly upon the purity of the
Elections, and all legislation necessary to
secure SO desirable an object, should re-
ceive your prompt and most careful at
tention. The public voice being the con-
trolling power III our system of govern.
ment, every care should be observed to
give it fair and full expression. Oul
elections are worse than a farce, if con.
trolled by frauds or dictated by threats
Let the election law be uniform and plair
in its provision, and exacting upon the Of
ficers in charge of the polls. 1t will ther
be less difficult to bring its violators t.
justice it will be the more certain tina
our Elections express the unbiased iudg
ment of the people. To such fair ex
pressions of the peoples wish, all gooc
citizens will with pleasure submit, as i.
their duty; while it takes from the evi
! disposed all just cause for complaint.
1 herewith transmit the Report of the
Adjutant General of the Kansas Militia
to which | would direct your attention.
From this Report it is evident that some
legislation is necessary to proper organ.
ization of the military force of the Terri
tory. By the Organic Act of the Terrific
~ the Governor is made the Commander
in-Chief of the Military force; and any
Act taking that power out of his hands i.
clearly beyond the jurisdiction of thu
Legislature. To avoid all conflict between
the original Act and the one claimed t.
have been passed at the last session, i
would be proper for you to take some &C
ton in regard to the subject. Even
doubt permitted to exist might lead to Sc
rious consequences and create embarrass
ment in an effort to protect the lives anC
property of citizens. Surrounded as W,
are by Indian tribes, military organiza
ton becomes of the first importance, i
not an absolute necessity. With full con
fidence in the business of your decision,
leave the matter in your hands wthou
pressing it further upon your considera
ton.
l also, herewith, transmit the Report o
Il. j. STRICKLER, ESQ.,, the COMMISSIONS
appointed under an Act of the Territorial
Legislature, passed February %, 1857. h
audit all claims of a public nature arisinl
from the enforcement of the laws of tn
Territory, and also all claims of priva.
nature growing out of the difficulties oc
curing between the dates of the Terrific
rial Organization and the passage of tn
:, Act. The Commissioner, after giving du
public notice, held his sessions at seven
teen different places, for the convenienc
of claimants, and has evidently givel
much time and great labor to the perform
ance of his duties. The claims presente,
for examination amounted to S30l, 225 II
The amount awarded by the Commission
er, S254,279 %; of which, S38,942 O
were of the public class; and S215, 81 g
of the private class. These, with the &C
companying testimony, have been for
: warded to Congress and referred, upo
presentation by the Delegate from tn
/, Territory, to the Committee on Claim.
from which Committee it is hoped ia
vorable report may be made.
As Agriculture must always be the pre-
dominating interest in the Territory,
would suggest law encouraging the OF
ganization of County Agricultural Socie
ties.
learn from the Comptroller, that tn
audited debt of the Territory, on the %,
: of December, 1858, was $4,000; an
the assets. $33,946 The latter include
!. THE assessments of FIVE counties for tn
year 1858. The Comptroller informs m
!, that he is unable to report the entire debt
as the Board for Investigation of Electio
: Frauds was authorized to audit its owl
: accounts, and draw warrants upon tn
Treasury. Neither are the Legislative
| expenses of the last Legislature and Elk