Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-03-24
Correspondence of the Spy.

WASHINGTON, March 18th.
The election of Mr.. Banks, as Speaker, has
changed the political atmosphere of Washington,
to say the least. There is less insolence mani
Tested in Congress, in the street, in the drawing
room, and socially, everywhere. You remember
that the South threatened, that the election of
Banks would dissolve the Union. Banks was
elected and the Union still stands The South
now threaten, if Whitfield is unseated, to dissolve
the Union. He certainly toU be ,mseated. No
man representing the administration upon the
floor of the House, in the discussion of the pre-
liminary question, whether persons and papers
shall be sent for, now pending denied that Whit
field was elected by fraudulent votes or that there
was an invasion, the day of election. Before
l close this letter, the question will be settled
whether persons and papers shall be sent for or
not There is difference of opinion as to the
proprie'y of doing The proposition offered
by Mr.. Dunn, to send special committee to Kan
zas, is deemed the safest course, and Gov Reeder
joins in this opinion. If committee is sent, he
will accompany them. Mr.. Hickman, of Penn
sylvania, who presented the majority report, is
closing the debate while 1 am writing, and is
making very strong speech in favor of the same.
The galleries are crowded with ladies and gentle
men Among those, whose faces l recognize, are
F. W. Bird and family, of Massachusetts
Whitfield, the sitting member from Kanzas,a land
Gov. Reeder who contests the seat, are both at.
tentive listeners to the debate on Kanzas, espe-
cially to the clio sing up by Mr.. Hickman. The
news, which has just reached Washington, of the
election, by the Legislature of Kanzas, Of Gov.
Reeder as one of the United States Senators from
that territory, when it shall become Free State,
causes the Governor to meet with many warm
congratulations.
President making is the order of the day. There
is undoubtedly project on foot, to kill Mr. Bu-
chanan in the Cincinnati Convention. The South
proposes to unite and oppose every man presented
to the Convention, who is not, by some officia
act, committed to the Border Ruffians." This
will rule out Buchanan, and secure the nomina.
ton of either Douglas or Pierce. The one who
is most serve to the slave power, will be the
man. 1t would be difficult to tell which of the
two-Pierce or Douglas--has eaten the most
Southern dirt.
Since writing the above. four yea and nay votes
have been taken, and the Border Ruffians'' have
been worsted, horse, foot and dragons. The
first killed an amendment offered by Mr.. Bennett
of Mississippi, for legal commission, consisting
of Messrs- Baxter and Bradley, of this city, one
"border rufian' Democrat, and the other K
N. Wing, to go TO Kanzas and procure the facts
by thirteen majority The second killed motion
OF Cobb of Georgia, to lay the whole subject on
the table, by seven majority The third adopted
Dunn's amendment, to send special committee
of fhrao 10 o b,,C
Kanzas, with full powers, by thirty majority -
Then came the fourth and final vote upon adopt
ing the resolution reported by the Committee on
Elections, as amended, and it was carried by l0l
to 92-being majority of nine This is glory
enough for one day. This is the second great
battle won, for Freedom and the North in this
Congress. Nothing will tend more to knit the
anti Nebraska forces, which were unfortunately
divided upon Speaker. The South feel them
selves WHIPPED out They supposed that Dunn,
Harrison, and Scott, were their tools, but they
have found themselves mistaken. They are in
the front rank for freedom. Mr.. Dunn will un-
doubtedly be sent out to Kanzas, as chairman of
the committee.
1t was amusing, at the adjournment. to observe
the movements of Oliver, who represents the Platte
District, in Misnouri-the Atchison border
rutfan" community. He had Mr.. Banks by the
button hole, duplicating him for an appointment
on the Committee of Investigation. Think of the
audacity A man who is himself border ruff
FAM" who boosted, upon the floor of Congress
that Missourians did invade Kanzas, to ask the
privilege Of going upon a committee TO investi-
gate his own ras calities AS well might a robber
rise in the prisoners box and ask the Court to
transfer him to "jury's" seat, that he might sit
in judgment upon his own case
The committee will Immediately be appointed,
and proceed upon the discharge of their duties
They are empowered to collect evidence in regard
to the troubles in Kanzas, generally and particu-
larry in regard to frauds in elections, invasions,
violence, or disturbance against the laws of the
United States. They may hold their sittings
when and where they please, land have full power to
examine public records, and examine PERSONS
They are authorized to appoint one or more clerks
and sergeant alarms, to aid them in their inves-
LEGATIONS. Any persons hindering or obstructng
them in the performance Of their duties are liable
to be arrested and brought before the House, to
be dealt with as for a contempt. The President
of the United States is requested to furnish said
committee with military aid to ensure their pro.
lection, should they be met with any serious op-
position, and the sum of $4,000 is appropriated
out of the contingent fund, to defray expenses
II.
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