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CHAPTER VII.

THE BEGINNING OF GOVERNMENT.

67. First Territorial Governor.-Andrew H. Reeder, first Governor of the Territory of Kansas, arrived at Fort Leavenworth on the 7th of October, 1854. He was a Pennsylvania lawyer of high standing in his native county of Northampton, from whence he came to Kansas, and through- ́ out the State, but had never held public voMou? other voting places. always been a member of the Demo oughly indorsed the doctrine of th by the Governor were or resigned their offices.

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68. Other Officers of Terr month of February gave other appointed officers of trs. At this March election arrived at intervals. The Sch 1,410 were legal and 4,908 Territory, whose office was mafter this election the actual since under the organic act Territory; within the week, the Governor's absence all histates. The result was fuel functions, was Daniel Woodson, is which had been before the Chief Justice of the Territory wery was redoubled. The D. Lecompte, of Maryland; the Assthe Territory under the W. Johnson, of Ohio, and Rush Elmorraska Act that the States Marshal, Israel B. Donalson of Ita regulate their these names were destined to a lasting recollection ie Free sas: one of them, that of Secretary Woodson, to a place on the map of Kansas. Notwithstanding the amount of explosive material lying about, Gov. Reeder received a

hearty welcome at Leavenworth, and his reception was quite as kindly at Lawrence, which he soon after visited. He took a tour of observation through the Territory to inform himself concerning its topography and population. He was urged to order an election of members of the Legislature, but took the ground that the common law, and the laws of the United States, extended over the Territory, and that there was no pressing need of legislation, and himself sat as a magistrate in the case of a man charged with attempt to kill, and bound the party over.

69. Election of Delegate.-On the 10th of November, Gov. Reeder issued his proclamation for an election for vument Ooress on the 29th of the same month. This newspaper in Kansas, held in the Territory. The candidates in Leavenworth. In Stfield, Pro-slavery; R. P. Flenniken, curred in Atchison. One, and John A. Wakefield, Free towns started, and the batthe election, as, was afterwards to the Free State strongholeg committee, a large number

1854.

n Missouri and voted, but SUMMgal plurality. As this would

ald have received a certificate

1. Rev. Thomas Johnson was e'the invasion was a. causeless but was not received. hich had no further effect than

2. The Kansas-Nebraska Bi!'

3. Professor John B. Dur in which the determination that derived from Kanza a slave State was daily growing 4. The Government

immedi

name which assumed the most prominence in the leadership of the Pro-slavery movement was that of David R. Atchison, a United States Senator from Missouri, President of the Senate and acting Vice-President of the United States

70. First Census.-In February, 1855, Gov. Reeder caused the first census of the Territory to be taken. It showed a population of 8,501 persons, and 2,905 voters.

71. Fraudulent Voting.-Governor Reeder divided the territory into districts, appointed judges of election and ordered an election for a Territorial Legislature to be held March 30, 1855. At the election of March 30th most of the voting places in the territory were occupied by armed men from Missouri. At Lawrence the invading force was estimated at 1,000 men, and they brought two pieces of artillery. This force being larger than was deemed necessary, squads were detached and sent to other voting places. The judges of election appointed by the Governor were driven from the polling places or resigned their offices. The census of the preceding month of February gave Kansas Territory 2,905 voters. At this March election 6,318 votes were cast, of which 1,410 were legal and 4,908 were fraudulent. The day after this election the actual facts were known all over the Territory; within the week, in every corner of the United States. The result was fuel to the roaring fire; every means which had been before used in the warfare against slavery was redoubled. The betrayed people who had gone to the Territory under the implied promise of the Kansas-Nebraska Act that the people of the Territories should be allowed to regulate their institutions in their own way, became throughout the Free States the objects of boundless sympathy; the story of the invasion of March 30th was told in song and story, and by artist's pencil, and still the Free State emigrants pressed into the Territory of Kansas.

72. Governor Reeder's Action.-Governor Reeder set aside the elections in certain districts for informality, and ordered an election to be held May 22d, to fill vacancies.

Governor Reeder had, according to his instructions, removed his office from Fort Leavenworth to the Shawnee Manual Labor School, two miles west of Westport, Mo.

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He ordered the first Legislature of the Territory to convene at Pawnee, a town which had been laid out near Fort Riley. After his decision in regard to the elections, and his proclamation for the meeting of the Legislature, Governor Reeder went East to meet charges which the Proslavery leaders had made in asking his removal. At the election to fill vacancies in the Legislature, neither the Pro

slavery voters in the Territory or in Missouri took part. The Free State voters alone participated.

73. First Legislature.-The members of the Legislature met at Pawnee on July 2, 1855. The Pawnee town company had erected a stone building for the use of the Legislature, which stood for many years afterward within sight of the Union Pacific railroad track. There was also a hotel and some other conveniences.

The Legislature came, went into camp, remained four days, unseated the Free State members, seated the members declared elected on the 30th of March, and passed a bill

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to remove the capital temporarily to Shawnee Manual Labor School," which act was vetoed by the Governor and passed over his veto, and the Legislature adjourned.

On the re-assembling of the Legislature at the Shawnee Manual Labor School, Governor Reeder informed the body that it was in session where it had no right, in contravention of the Act of Congress, and that he could give no sanction to any act it might pass.

74. Gov. Reeder Removed.-The Legislature, in both branches, memorialized the President of the United States to remove Governor Reeder, and on the 31st of July his removal was officially announced, and on the 16th of August the Governor announced his removal to the Legislature, and so ended the term of the First Territorial Governor of Kansas. Governor Reeder was informed that he was removed for some irregular purchases of public lands. The departure of Governor Reeder made Secretary Woodson acting GoverHis signature is affixed to all the laws passed by what the Free State party called the "Bogus Legislature."

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