New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-27
FROM WASHING TON.
THE KANSAS COMMISSION.

E1hsnai Corrs.pondepee Of The n. Y. Tribune
WASHINGTON, Tuesday March 25' 1850
I think Mr.. L. d. CAMPBELL evinced equal
saracity and discretion to-day in declining tls
Chaifu.anship Of the Kan.as investigating Com.
mittee 1t was clear that be could not properly
have accepted it without resgning the post OF
Chairman Of the Committee OF Ways and Means,
which is The Leadership Of the House; for no one
can say how soon the Kansas Investigation can be
closed and the Members returned to their seats
but it is lot likely to be within two months. aud
msy very well be extended to three. / judge,
therefore, that Mr. Campbell wisely concluded TO
remain where he ia, and leave the Kansas Iavesti-
cation 10 those whose duties on the aOor are less
exacting and arduOus than his.
WILLIAM HOWARD OF Michigan, who hence
forth stands at the head Of the Kansas Committee,
is new to Congress aud TO public life, but has won
high reputation as lawyer and man. dc Is
native of Vermont, who graduated of Middlebury
College, migrated to Michigan and became Pro.
fessor Of Mathematics in her University, which
post be filed with distinction until he resigned to
engage in the practice of the law, which he has
since pursued at Detroit with signal success.
Associated with Gov. Seward 10 the defense Of the
citizens Of jackson County, indicted on charge
OF malicious injury 10 the Central Railroad, be
exhibited, in that memorable three months trial,
the yery highest qualities &c an examiner Of wit.
neses and an anslyzer Of testimoDy-qualities
which were never more important than in the
investigation over which he is now 10 preside.
Coming freshly into Congress last December, with
very few acquaintances-for he had hitherto
shu nedpublc life and has now political tastes nor
aspi ations-he steadily wonupOn the confidence and
esteem OF his fellow Members. and his selection as
second on the Committee OF Ways and Means was
but fair recognition of his standing with the Re-
publicans Of the House. Mr. Howard is some
thiIg less than fifty years Of age, tall and slender
in person, with q Yankee infection in his voice
which cen hardly be acceptable 10 the fastidious
taste linguistic of the Border Rufians
JOHN SHERMAN, the other Republican Member
OF the Committee, is probably the youngest Repre-
sentative from the State of Ohio, tall and comely
in person, ard reported descer dant OF the Roger
Sherman of Revolutionary fame who signed the
Declaration of Independence. If comparisons
were not cdOus should pronounce him the best
locking Member Of the House. He was an earnest
Wig in politics, and opposed to all Slavery agita-
ton until the passage of the Nebraska bill, whereof
in so far as it abrogated the Missouri Restriction,
be is determined antagonist. Living ia Rich
aBd, the strongest Democratic County in the State,
he had DO chance for political preferment, had nc
aspred TO it, un:il the whirlwind that swept over
Ohio in consequence of the passage OF Douglass
BILL Mr.. Sherman ia frank, intelligent, and chiy-
alrous, tie soul Of honor, and pronounced good
lawyer by his colleagues. He viii go TO Kansas
received to do justice to all parties and TO repsrt to
Congress the naked truth and nothing else.
MoRDECM OLIVER, the third member Of the
Committee, was formerly called a Wing, and was
elected to Congress such, By of the great
Benton and Anti Benton feud and division, and
TOW votes and acts thoroughly with the Nebraska
Democracy. He is strongly built, well formed
man, rather above the medium hight, Of ruddy
complexion and imposing address. / think Major
o. should not have desired to be placed on this
Committee, since it is the conduct of large num-
bois ofhis own constituents who are charged with
8 most hsgrant conspiracy against snd subgersion
Of the rights of tie People OF Kansas, which Is i'll
ptached by the protest Of Gov. Reeder. and
which this Committee is mainly sent ont 10 in7es'
tigate But Msjor Oliver did desire this position,
and was seconded in his aspiration BY the great
bCdy of tie Democrats 10 the House. The Speaker
las decided that, since the Pro Slavery party were
10 have but minority of the Committee, they had
s right 10 the man OF their choice, and has made
tie appointment accordingly. thilk should
have Doe otherwise, set am not sure that am
right.
Mr.. Sherman left for home lsst evening, not an
tcipatipg hi. new responsibility, but was doubt
IS. hesded a. Pittsburgh today BY a telegrsphic
dispatch, which will probably bring him directly
hack. SIN assured that his acceptance OF the
po.t is not doubtful so that the Committee Is def
nityely made up.
Ipresume at least ,hi. week Will be consumed u