The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1861-04-03
GOVERNOR ROBINSON'S
MES S A G. d
caS0D %HA -
First Legislative Assembly
STATE OF KANSAS.

To THE MEMBERs OF THE SENATE AND
= HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
h STATE OF KANSAS: &
I.,is source Of congratulation that
the people Of Kansas, after pupilage
Of more than six years.are permitted TO
inaug gurate government Of their own
Probably no Territory Of the United
Stat Is has had such varied history as
that ceded by France, and OF which
Kansas is part. From September l4,h
l7Ia, until ceded 10 the United S:atas,
April 3Oih, 1903, the civil code AS mod
flied by France and regulations Of Spain
was the law OF the Territory. In March,
1904, the Territory was divided by
line corresponding with the thirty-third
degree of north latitude. and the north
ern portion called the District of Louis
lana. The executive power OF the Gov
ernor of Indiana was extended over the
Territory embracing the present State
of Kansas, ard the Governor and Judges
we're authorized 20 establish inferior
courts, prescribe their jurisdiction and
duties, and make laws for the govern
ment of the people. In 1905 Terli-
torial Government was granted to the
northern province. and is was called
the Territory of Louisiana. Under
EtLis government the legislative power
was vested In . Governor and three
Judges.
In 1912 the Territory was re-Organi-
zed and named Missouri Territory. its
Legislative power consisting OF Gov
ernor, Council and House of Representa-
tiyes. In 1890 Missouri was admitted
into the Union. leaving Kansas witeou,
any or ganized government.
On the 3Oth Of May, 1854. Kansas
ard Nebraska were organized, with an
Executive and Judiciary appointed by
the President, and Legislature elected
,by the people. Under the oaganic act
il was claimed that the people were
left perfectly free to form and regulate
their domestic institutions i'll their own
way. subjcc, only to the Con stitu.ion OF
the United States This perfect free
dom resulted in an earncsrcon.est upon
the question Of slavery. which enlisted
on one side or the other the sympathies
. Of the people of the States generally.
The temptation 10 plant that institution
, in the Territory before consecrated tc
: freedom, was too strong 10 be resisted
and to carry out ,ha, purpose the firsi
legislature was cleciedby non-residerts,
citizens Of an adjoining Stale. This
, proceeding was earnestly protested a
!. gainst, and the legislature thus elected
with its enactments, repuda'ed by tn,
inhabitants. The usurping Legislature
elected all county and local officers fo
5 four years, and provided such tess ant
. restrictions for voting rs TO exclude
from the polls all Free State men will
self-respect, thus rendering its rule per
petuaI. The usurpasion was endorsed
: by the President. aud there WAS 10 way
!, out Of the difficulty short of a revOlu
ton, except in the formation Of a Stat
= Constitution. Accordingly in October
e 1855. Delegate Convention met a
r Topeka. framed constitution and pro
e vided for a State government. Thi
instrument, although repeatedly rattle,
!, by the people was rejected by the L S
" Senate. After vainly attempting t
i enforce the Territorial usurpation. an
n after the removal of several Governor
n for their inability or refusal 10 enslav
). the people, tn. obnoxious tests and re
s,rietions were removed from the ballC
. box. and the people allowed their right
e under the Organic Act.
S In the meantime. movement, origin
aled under the auspices Of the usurpel
which resulted in the instrument know
Q as the Lecompton Constitution. Thi
< Constitution. as the Legislature pre-
: ,yided it, was repudiated by our citizen
b and conditionally rejected by Congress
y although approved by the President
II While the Lecompton Constitution WI
n pending in Congress, the people. in oil
der to secure a government OF their Ow
!" called another Convention, which a.
u sembled in Leavenworth, and framed
!, third Constitution that was also rejecle
III sy Congress.
, \ Persistent in their efforts 10 secul
their poIi.icrl rights, another Couver
y was called by the people, ,throught the
@ Legislature, which me, at Wyando;te
: July 5th. 1859. and framed the Coz
stitutisn under which you were clec.e
and are called upon TO legislatc. Th
Constitution has been approved by Cor
, gress, and BY the act OF admission "
S are placed on at equal footing, ,politica
: tly. with all the States Of the Union.
:. The necessity Of SO much Conslitu
r. tion-making aud strife as Kansas ha
experienced during TIC past six year
. has been caused chiefly by the queslio
= of slavery. That question, 50 far a
d The Constitution and Laws can settle i
is now settled. Whether or not ther
is vesiige OF the institution remainin
!, rs for tie Judiciary to decide. II
sIiraly cause for rejoicing that thi
disturbing element is forever remove
J from our local politics. and that our do
mes'ic institutions arc such as are bes