The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-04-23
Tor a. H-aus o, h..ss..
Lsffsr rom Aanhaffan.
MANHATTAN, RILEY Co., K T..l
April 11th. 1859. {

Any thing in the shape of news Of interest,
proper for the public eye, is very scarce.
The emigrants for Pixies Peak are many,
it is too early BY several
weeks for those who wish to feed cattle.
The road is lined with those bound for the
gold region. Some who have advanced
this far, with OK teams and the necessary
outftting, have wisely concluded to de-
lay their march until the grass presents a
more verdant appearance on the now
lonely plains; they have, therefore, en-
camped by the many little streams in DIFF
ferent parts of the country, among timber.
There are others again more ardent in the
pursuit after the "yellow stuff" who have
not patience to delay, and have procured
a hand cart, similar to those too wheeled
vehicles used by the Mormons in their
tardy and long march to their promised
land, and have their provisions, tools, &C.,
all in the cart, and it is generally drawn
by four or five men. There are Others,
again, whose perseverance certainly enti-
ties them to a share Of the gold, who have
all their outftting in a carpet bag. The
hand cart and carpet sack emigration, so far,
are the most numerous they have guns in
their crowds, and now live on parched
corn and cold water, intermixed by many
with considerable quantity of more fiery
liquid. They intend to rely upon game
after passing the settlements.
The twoferries across the Big Blue river
are now doing very extensive business,
and making money out Of pocket with a
vengeance. At the last session of the Kan
ssa Legislature, second ferry was incorpo-
rated, and as may reasonably be presumed,
in order to attract the attention of the
travelling community to the now ferry,
it was made free ferry, at least for the
time, when Mr.. Flsgg Immediately made
the old or upper ferry also free; the result
of the opposition is, that persons on foot
or with teams pay no toll for crossing the
Big Blue at Manhattan. It would have
been about as we'll for the public and
better for the owners of the ferries to
have reduced the usual rates of toll one
half, which would have been enough;
they would have received as much thanks
in the end, particularly from the thous-
ands or perhaps tens of thousands of Pixies
Peak emigrants, but it is said that oppo-
sition is the life of trade. So mote it be.
The Kansas Territorial Court, for Riley
county, with other counties annexed, con-
vened in Manhattan on the 4th inst, the
Hon. Rush Elmore presiding. 1t was
the first Court held in Manhattan, Tex
cept the Probate Court, } and brought some
people to Manhattan through curiosity
as well as parties to suits. Several true
bills were found by the grand jury, but
no criminal cases tried, and only one civil
case, and that was an action on the case
for false arrest. The former acts of the
Legislature gave Jurisdiction to the officer
to take cognizance of matter pending
when fine was imposed for contempt
but the Legislature of 1853 had repealed
the statute giving the officer jurisdiction
the laws not being then published, it was
impossible for the presiding magistrate tc
know of the repeal Of the statute giving
him jurisdiction. The jury, under 6
charge from the Court upon the law, as.
sessed the damages at two hundred and
fifty dollars. This shows the absolute
necessity of the Legislature, in passing
laws, to extend the time when the laws
are to take effect. A very learned man
and great lawyer, has said that the "igno.
rance of law excuseth no man." IF the
Legislature passes law "to take effect
and be in force from and after its pas.
sage" as nearly all the laws enacted are
they certainly should provide for theil
publication, and have them biographical,
circulated all over the Territory, the very
instant they are to take effect. In thi:
instance, the law was repealed but very
few days before the law officer imposed 6
fine for contempt, and if there ever was
contempt, the one for which the fine wa.
imposed, was contempt The Magis.
trate was compared to brute, and othel
epithets were offered, and if the statute
had not been repealed (of which all par.
ties were then igno rani,) the fine imposed
would have been legal. The Legislature
should provide for the publication of al
statutes before they are in force, unlss,
some emergency requires the contrary; i
no provision is made for the publication
of the law, no statute should be in fore,
or take effect until reasonable time ex
pires after the Public laws are printed anG
circulated. Numerous instances nigh
occur where cases similar might come be
fore our Courts for their adjudication, ant
innocent men be nsulcted into heavy dam
ages and costs.
Capt. Walker, of your county, who is.
believe, Sheriff, or Marshall, or Deputy
paid this place visit last week, and wa
"a bobbing around" after jurymen ant
grand jurors, to be in attendance at tn
United States Court, on the second Mon
day of May, at Lecompton. Mr.. Wake
was rather lionizvd hare. partly on &C
count of his connection with the "candl
box" affair. He made many friends dur
ing his short stay, as well as attracting
much attention on account of his noto
riety.
In alluding to the summoning Of juror
am reminded of an egregious error com