New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-13
FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
JUDGE KANE-SLAYES IN FREE STATES.
Coneuopdenee Of The n. Y. Tribune.


Csnes1ondence Of The n. Y. Tribune
HaRRIsBeRG, Saturday, Feb. 9, 1s6.
Some days ago bill was introduced into the
House OF Representatives by one of the Members
from the County of Philadelphia, to change the
venue in the case of PassmOre Williamson VS.. John
X Kane The history Of this bill is not little
remarkable, though | shall not detail to your
readers all the circumstances attending it. copy
of the BILL however, was originally sent to promi-
nent Member of the House, with request that he
should present it; but instead Of doing 50 he called
together number of leading friends, members OF
both Houses, when it was decided TO be impolitic,
even in party point of view, to introduce it, But
this did not suffice the wire-pulers in the City OF
Philadelphia; the friends who gather around TIE
Pepnspronan were active in their efforts to change
the decision of Members here, but 10 no purpose.
In the midst of the discussion of the question, Ar.
Van DYKE the United States Dlstrlct-Attorney,
made his appearance. and attempted by personal
appeals TO induce Members 10 act as he desired;
but he was cooy informed that the question had
been decided He then insisted that he would act
mon his own responsibility, and accordingly an
obscure Member from Philadelphia was selected
by Van DYKE as the medium through which the bill
should make its appearance IN the House. III
was referred to the Judiciary Committee, and
day or two since il was reported with negative
recommendation-that ia, the Judiciary Committee
recommend that the bill do not pass.
In connection with this subject, quote part OF
a letter which appeared in The Public Ledger of
the 9Th inst, the subjOined views of sound
thinker and judicious Senator This letter will
give Your readers good idea of the prevailing
sentiment in the Legislature in regard to one
question at least. The position taken by Senator
Buckalew settles the question OF change Oh
venue. and at the same time subjects Mr.. Van
by to the humiliation OF defeat:
"Tbe auplicaton for q change Of venue Of the case
of Passrnore Williamson VS.. John h. Kane has created
some interest here few days ago the renOnstrance
OF Mr. williamson against such change from .be courts
of Delaware county 70 the Supreme Court sitting in
Philadepbia wGs presented TO the Senate and House
Of Representatives TO the latter body by Mr. hor1s,
and to the former by Mr. Browne. When the d0cD-
ment in question presented TO the Senate, Mr..
BuckaeW rose and said that, although II was unusual
to address tie senate IL reference to the subject mat
Of petition memorial at the time Of lis presenta-
ton he nevertheless asked indulgence, in order that
he might state that the bill for the change Of venue
n the case named had been introduced into the Legs
aUre against the advice Of large number OF the mem
bers Ofthe political party with which be was IN the habit
Ofactng; that the responsibility Of s Introduction must
rest elsewhere that the bill eyerreached the Senate
he would give hs objections az length and that, Tor
tie present. be conented himself with laying thar he
would vote against the measure. Mr. Blckaew mas
great Influence in bis party, and h gentleman OF re-
markable rgor in controversy. Considering the STATE
Of parties In the Senate Mr. Buckalews active oppo
sitop and that Of few other Democrats, and the IN
usual and doubtful nature OF the request made, the
probabilities are decidedly against the passage Of the
Bill through that. body if il should pass the House 1t
was Mr.. williamson rigit TO bring the sut wherever
process could be served on the defendant and naturally
and properly the better portion Of the Legislature are
ndisposed to legiate upon the subject, especially IN
Interference with the privileges justly granted by e1-
sting general laWs."
A few weeks ago Joseph Paxton citizen Of
this State, desiring to occupy bad eminence in
connection with an important subject memorial
lied the Legislature prsyiD that Law might be
passed allowing the transit Of slave property
through the State. Mr.. Montgomery, from the
judiciary Committee, made the majority report on
the 25th of January last and more singular doe
ment, am sure never emanated from sane
man. Col. Paxton, in his ignorance of the law,
sought to gain q little popularity in certain
quarter and notoriety in another, by asking for the
passage OF law securing the right OF transit OF
slaves through the State but was grayely told that
this Teht aready secured to the citizens OF the