The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1864-04-09
SPEECH OF JUDGE Stafford.

While we were quite anxious to hear the speech
on the questions involved in the Senatorial
swindle, we failed to be present, as the night
was unusually bad. Snow. rain and mud COW
ering our streets, thought that no one could
get to the Hall, but it seems that the people,
finding out that the Judge would not be in
Junction another evening for some time. pressed
him to speak. Quite respectable number were
out. difficult as it was to get to the Hall.
The Judge gave brief and interesting history
Of the process by which members of the Legisla-
ture were begotten, one at tilne till the immor-
tai sixty eight were full grown frauds. Showed
tha. the issue not in the fall canvass. and
that quite number of the members OF the LIE
gislature were pledged against it, some in written
pledges, showed that it was surprise to the
people all over the State.
He pointed out in mastery manner the fact
that the election was not only a most fragrant
violation of well-established custom, which in
this case was law itself, but that the thin pre-
text of q statute called law, was not a law in
the meaning of the Constitution of the United
States. He showed that the statute had no day,
hour, month or year in which the election was
time made it unconstitutional. He showed that
the law. to be law in the meaning of the Con
stitution of the United States, should be that
can be altered or amended as to the time, and as
this was not such law is utterly void
Here the Judge exploded the last and only apol-
ogy that has shadow OF argument for the frauds.
If the statute was a law, there was no compulsion
laid the Legislature to use it for the overthrow
of the ri hts Of the people.
The Judge run parallel between the election
Of Senator and that of President of the United
States, showing that while neither one or the
other We're elected directly by the people still it
was emphatically true that the people constituted
the power and really elected both.
He pointed out the fraud on the interests of the
State to select any man year before the time
Alluded to the fact that our population is con-
stantly changing, new men come in and new
questions and interest arose.
Said it was fraud on our brave soldiers, who
were bearing their breasts to the iron storm Of
War That it cheated them out of any voice in
the election.
g Showed that while it overthrow the funda-
mental idea of Democratic party, it at the same
time was intended to divide the Republicans OF
Kansas and defeat their power.
He showed that while the peoples money and
time had been wasted. that the dignity and
rules of the United States Senate would not give
Mr. Carney seat. Showed how the Legislature
had no right to perform an act and cause the
people to cure wrong at subsequent election,
and at a great waste Of time and money.
. He showed E.ost conclusively that Gov Car
neys financial skill was great humbug. as the
State had been run under his administration be-
tween $500, 900 and 100000 in debt, and that
the State taxes of 1864, while it was FIVE mills on
the dollar. would not pay current expenses by at
least 100000. The speech was a success, and
the Judge closed with some humorous anecdotes.
We regret that all Davis County was not pres
ent to hear a man versed in the law deal with
this band of conspirators, who have made an
attempt to strike down the liberties of the people
of Kansas.