Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-01-22

WASHINGTON, Jan. 49, Correspondence of
The N Y. Tribune 1.-THE Senate had secret
session to. day, in which the question Of the
removal Of Judge Lecompte from the Chief
Justice ship of Kanzas, was discussed
Gen. Cass inquired what had become of the
nomination of Mr.. Harrison to supersede
Judge Leeompte as Chief Justice of kanzas,
which was sent in to the Senate by the Presi-
dent some time ago.
Mr.. Toomhs, as Chairman of the Commit.
tee, replied, that the Committee had hot yet
decided upon what report they should make
in relation to it.
Mr.. Cass rejoined, with considerable feel
ing, that il was quite time some action should
be taken upon the subject.
Mr.. Toombs responded that, for himself, as
far as he was concerned, he was ready TO re-
port against it. He thought it was an arbi
trary assumption OF authority for the Presi-
dent to attempt TO remove a member of the
Judiciary, merely because his decisions hap.
pened to be contrary to his (the President 81
wishes. The Judiciary should feel when they
are giving their decisions, that their place did
not depend upon their giving an opinion coin
Gliding with the views of the Executive. The
act Of the President was such an exercise of
power as should be checked by the Senate
Mr.. Cass replied that, however the case
might be with regard to The members of the
Supreme Court OF the United States, with re-
gard to the Judiciary Of the Territories, the
law had been settled by decision of the Su-
preme Court. 1t had been decided that the
President had power to remove the Judges of
the Territories.
Mr.. Toonbs disseuted from such decision
If any such had been made, he should consider
IL unconstitutional.
The question was asked why the Commit
tee did not report, one way or the other.
Mr. Toombs answered that they were wait
ing to hear Judge Lecompte's defence.
There was some further discussion on the
subject of removing Judge Lecompte. The
general opinion seemed to be, that the exer-
else of the power of removal by the President
was constitutional, under the circumstances.
Jan. 20.-Mr. Giddings was present at the
House yesterday, and apparently well.
Mr.. Chase, an ex member of Congress, was
before the Corruption investigating Commit
tee this morning. He was asked whether he,
as agent, or in any other capacity, of any
company, ever executed any Obligation to cou-
vey any land, or any other valuable consider
alton, to any person or persons, on condition
that any railroad bill passed, or pending in
this Congress, should pass
Mr.. Chase respectfully denied the right Of
the COMMITTEE 70 inquire into his private deal
ings with persons other than members Of
Congress, aud declined to answer the ques-
ton, as he was advised By his counsel he had
the right to do..sA
Mr.. Simonton was recalled to-day, and in.
formed by the Committee that they had come
to the unanimous determination to insist on
his answering the question, in substance:-
"You have admitted that members of Con
gress have approached you conhdentially, with
the request TO you to procure them pecunia-
ry interest in measures pending before the
House. We ask you to give the names Of such
members"
Mr. Simonton answered, - must persist
III declining to answer, no matter what the
penalty may incur because to do so would
involve dishonorable breach of confidence -