Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-02-23
apMsnoacs gis9laiaH.
saturday M.r.i.... Fesr.ar, ID, 1880.

THE KANSAS Discussion has opened in both
branches Of the National Legislature, and prom
Uses to be as stormy as the most turbulensly DIS
posed could desire. The transmission of the Of
fetal correspondence (given in part yesterday
was the signal for the beginning. The fact dis
closed in that correspondence, that the Presi-
dents proclamation and his requisition on the
government II oops were issued in compliance
with the desire of the free State men, seems
some what to have disarranged the plans of the
Reeder men in Congress. According to the
Washington Union, deriving its information from
the N. Y. Tribune. Senator Wilson was to open
the discussion on Monday with speech "pre-
pared for state Of things which was entirely
upset by the documents transmitted to the Sem
ate on Monday. He had arranged TO make a
strong case on the facts as he had obtained them
from the abolition souFoes. The facts as set
forth by the correspondence and aibdavts ac-
companying the message were so overwhelming
that Senator Wilson found himself greatly en-
barrassed. He bad prepared to denounee the
proclamation in nnmeasured terms. but, unluck-
ily, the President sent to the Senate evidence
that Senator Wilson's champions in Kansas
Cols, Lane and Robinson had demanded not
only proclamation, but the interposition of the
United States troops-the very thing which
Senator vii son going to denounce. We have
never seen speech SO badly spoiled Senator
Wilson was effrc,ually estopped by the letters
of Lane and Robinson from o1jecttng to the
Presidents proclamation; as much as wis Gov.
Reeder from obecbRg 10 the legality OF the
Kansas Legislators to whom he had given commits
sions certifying that they had been dniy eieeted"
The speech came. but it dwnded down into
coarse and yslgar assault on the characters of
Shannon ua,itehison.
In The House, Taesday, the matter came up
in the following shape;
Mr. Hickman, from tho Con.mittee on Flee.
tiuns. offered resolution empowering the Com.
mittee TO send for persons and papers in the
Kansas contested election case.
Mr. Phelps thought that tho exercise Of such
apower would be an usurpation--as Mr. Rccder
does not claim he was elected by virtue of the
law passed by the Kansas Legislature. He de.
Tended hi>iconsttuents fran the charge of being
Border Rufians which had been repeated here
aud elsewhere, and by one Senator Wilson, who
cuines from State where men warred on de-
1cnceess W omen, and burned Ussuline converts
He earnestly condemned the anti Slavery men
in Ksnsas, and claimed thai the Missourans de-
sire Az the shedding Of blood. bat to sustain the
DAVIS.
Mr.. Waslhurne of Maine, regretted that Mr..
Phelps had INDUCED in such remarks-which
were exceedingly exciting, not to say inhanatory.
\ large majority of the people of this country
believe in their hearts that their was no Legisa
ture Of Kansas, no law, and nothing having the
.'igor and effect of law under which the election
had been held,and by which Mr.. Whitfield claims
his seat a. Delegate. This matter should be in
vestigated, and he asked how could it be done
unless power to send for persons and papers was
granted
Mr.. Stephens, remarked that Governor Reeder
himself commissioned members of tho Legisa-
tive Assembly which passed the law uDdor which
Mr.. Whitfield was elected. the validity of which
Mr.. feeder now called on he House to nvesti-
gsir, consequently all further proceedings were
stopped BY theroffcial acts of Gov Reeder. who
was thus, out of his own mouth. condemned.
Mr.. Campbell tof Ohio.) said, it was we'll
srttied principle of law, that any statute may be
violated by irnnd, which violation forms u subject
tor thorough investigation. On this point, tho
House should be satisfied, and something more
was desired on which to form the Judgment. than
mere newspaper reports and telegraphc dos
patches.
Mr.. Hickman thought the newspaper reports
of the difficulties in Kansas had exaggregated
or magnihed either on one or the other side of
the question: according to the sentiments of the
writer's, 1t is. consequently, important that the
investigation should be aided by the means pro-
posed. Mr.. Reeder had done all the act of Con
gress required of him in the premises.
The question was then taken on Mr. Steph-
ems motion that the request of the Committee
on Elections be referred back to the Committee
with instructions to report the grounds on which
they ask for power to send for persons and pa
pers.
The motion was negatived by the casting vote
of the Speaker.
Pending the consideration of the main Ques-
ton, lresoution to grant the Committee power
20 send tor persons and papers,) the House al
journed.