Washington (DC) National Era, “Affairs in Kansas,” February 12, 1857

    Source citation
    “Kansas Affairs,” Washington (DC) National Era, February 12, 1857, p. 26: 5.
    Original source
    New York Tribune
    Newspaper: Publication
    Washington National Era
    Newspaper: Headline
    Kansas Affairs
    Newspaper: Page(s)
    26
    Newspaper: Column
    5
    Type
    Newspaper
    Date Certainty
    Exact
    Transcriber
    Meghan Allen, Dickinson College
    Transcription date
    The following text is presented here in complete form, as it originally appeared in print.  Spelling and other typographical errors have been preserved as in the original.

    KANSAS AFFAIRS.

    The Bogus Legislature continue the granting of charters and privileges to companies, with great indiscrimination and disregard as to their actual value. These companies are chiefly formed of members of the Legislature.

    An amusing incident occurred in the Council on the 23d ult. A bill chartering a company to navigate the Kaw was introduced by Mr. Rees. As usual, most of the names on it were of members of one of these legislative houses, Mr. Rees himself figuring. Gen. Easton rose to object; or, rather, as he said, to offer an amendment. He thought the thing looked a little like a speculation; and if it was, he wanted a share in it. His amendment was to insert the names of all the members of the Council and the House, together with the officers of the same. This is the first time that any one of the legislators has given the practice a hit.

    The repeal of the twelfth section of the act relative to slave property amounts to little or nothing, and merely relates to freedom of discussion on the Slavery question while Kansas continues a Territory. It is expected that Kansas will soon be a State; hence the yielding on this point for policy.

    If the legislation of the second session of this bogus affair is not discreet, it will not be for want of advice. All the eminent doughfaces in the North, together with nearly all the Slavery propagandists of the South, are writing to Lecompton, advising and counselling the steps to be taken. Among the rest, twenty-three United States Senators have of late taken the bogus law-makers of Kansas Territory into their distinguished consideration.

    General Cass, of Michigan, in a letter to Governor Geary concerning the treatment of the Hickory Point prisoners, advises that the chain-and-ball part of their punishment should be omitted, but that they should be compelled to serve out their time. The unfortunate men are, we understand, still hoping for pardon through Executive influence.

    A bill authorizing Courts to admit to bail in cases of murder at their own discretion, which had passed both Houses, has been vetoed by the Governor.

    No steps have been taken as yet for a Constitutional Convention.

    A Mr. Christian (Pro-Slavery) was elected member of the Territorial Council on the 26th ultimo, at Lawrence. He fills the place occupied by Mr. Chapmen, resigned.

    There was a little excitement at Lawrence on the 24th ultimo, occasioned by the ladies of the place making an onslaught upon the grogeries of the place, destroying everything they found in the shape of intoxicating liquors.

    A Pro-Slavery caucus was to have been held in Lecompton, on the night of the 26th ultimo.

    New York Tribune.

    How to Cite This Page: "Washington (DC) National Era, “Affairs in Kansas,” February 12, 1857," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/335.