Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-02-19
FROM WASHINGTON.
THURSDAY, Feb. II, 1858.
aoor.d-P.ae. ra.lored.

to Monday noon. on a pledge from the Adj
ministration men TO dosist from dilatory mo-
tons, and permit the question to be taken on
the reference Of the Presidents Kansas Mes
sage On Monday there was very full at
tendance Of the members OF the House, and
tho spacious galleries were crowded with la
dies and gentlemen. excepting the seats re-
aervcd for foreign ministers and their faml-
les There was a representation even in this
department The pledge Of Friday morning
was faithfully observed the Speaker stated
the questions, and the voting by yeas and
nays on every question went steadily on
There was no debate, yet the interest," may
say the cxcitomont--as the voting went on,
was intense. On every question the Admin
istrntion was beaten, by from barely major
ity to G On the final test question, the ma
iority against the Administration was g.
This victory over the Administration was fol-
lowed by another. and a very agreeable VIC
tory, the victory Of Mr.. Keitt of South Caro-
lima, over himself Mr. Keitt apologizod for
the ARRAY on Friday night-amply and hand
a1mely,--and Mr.. Grow gave measured and
inst response Peace was thus restored, and
the House adjourned in excellent temper
he Lecompton men undoubtedly consolcd
themselves with the hope that the majority
against them can be changed. They know,
far better than do, the means that will be
brought to bear to accomplish this purpose
but can guess viii only say that some
members ofthe cabinet did not hesitate 60 ar-
pear on the aoor of the House and openly
confer with members in reference TO this
question
Some persons claim that there Is really
stronger majority, than chat noted above,
against Lccompton-that some, who voted
aganst the reference to tho select committee,
will also vote against the Iecompton Const-
;ition. ! place little reliance upon such
votes indeed, dare not count with any GER
unity upon defeating the Locomptonitcs at
al. II is probable that the House is actually
tied on the question whom every member is
present, assuming that tho final vote on Mon
day was an exact tost Mr.. Campbell of O.
lilo (ant-Lecompton is in danger Of being
thrown out, and a Lecompton man will in
that event be admitted to his scat Mr. Mat
tison Of n. Y. lRepublican absent may be
oxpelcd and, if time is given to fiji his seat,
no harm will be done to the cause of the Peo-
pie. But the vote may be pressed when he
is absent, or during the vacancy In a word,
the Kansas question may be lost or won by
mere accidcnt--by trck--by superior skill
As it stands in the House. the Committee is
bound to report facts and ought to take time
to do it--wccks or months. But the Senate
is adverse, and may at any time send to the
House bill admitting Kansas with the Lee
compton Constitution. and Minnesota attached.
Thus the House may be forced to so into the
fight again, and just when the Senate plcases.
l viii not anticipate the action of the Senate,
however. In that body, on Tuesday, on an
incidental question, the friends of the Admin
istration had majority. -Four Americans
(South) voted with them Had these four
votes been reversed, the result would have
boon changed. On question taken yesler-
day, TO consider senator Douglas resolutions
for information, the Administration defeated
it by barely one majority, Thus the matter
stands at present.
What does it mean
The Richmond (Virginio) South is for
the Lecompton Constitution. That paper of
the 10th contains this paragraph:
1.-THE BATTLE NOT LOST.
1t is evident that the Black Republican
Douglas coalition in the House of Repre-
sentatiyes achieved a barren victory in their
vote for special committee on the Iocomp-
ton Constitution. While that committee
ARE wandering over the earth in quest Of
" frauds, the Senate will take the initiative
land decide the matter by sending the I.o-
compton Constitution to the House with a
bill for the admission of Kansas Then.
" doubtless, THE INFLUENCE OF THE
ADMINISTRATION WILL, PREVAIL"
What does it mean; Evidently that the
Senate will not stop to obtain information ;
will not wait for an Investigation specially de-
signed TO detect frauds; will not, therefore.
even consider whether the Iecompton Con-
stitution is or is not creature Of fraud -
Will the Senate arrest the editor of the
"South for contempt; We shall see. -
That is one thing included in the paragraph
But "THE INFLUENCE OF THE ADMINS.
TIoY Will PREVAIL" What does thai
mean; Influence What sort of influence
How exerted Does the assertion include
bribery and intimidation What sort Of in.
fuenee has the Executive any right to brin.
to bear upon Congress; What business har
the Administration to interfere between thu
People and their Representatives The Tx
ecutive and Legislative bodies are eo-ordi
nate, distinct, equally independent Thi
suggestion oe Executive influence is therefore
suggestion of an improper, even of an un
constitutional, interference with Congress.
Let the People notice it. VIII Congress de
mand an investigation; Let the peopl
watch.
The Debates.
Tho Senate has debated the Amy bill
Kansas incidentally, and excellent speeches
on the right side, have been delivered b.
Messrs. Fessendcn of Maine, Foot of Yer
rnont nixon ~ Connoct;cnt .,I WA.