The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-05-06
Congressional.
WASuTNcToN Anri

House OF REPRESENTATIVES. Eng.
lish, of Indiana, called for the regular or.
der, being the consideration Of the Commit.
tee Of Conference on the Kansas bill.
Mr.. Clark, of New York, said he had in.
tended to give his reasons fer voting against
the substitute, but nights sickness had
left him physically unable to undertake the
task. He would merely now say that he
regarded this new scheme as eminently OBJ.
jectionabe in form, and still more danger.
Gus in substance. He would seek the floor
on some future occasion to deliver his views
upon the subject.
Mr.. Bryan, Of Texas, gave his reasons
why he had acted with the little squad oi
Southerd members en- this subject. After
alluding to the remark of Senator Seward,
that he regarded the battle between freedom
and slavery as already fought. he said that
he would do nothing to jeopardize the union
Of The S nth or the protection Of he South,
which is much need.d.
Mr.. Shorter, OF Alabama, said he had,
with five or Six Southern Democrats, uni.
furmly resisted the previous question. He
had wanted time for discussion, in order to
arrive at correct construction Of the sub
stitute bill. He now fcNnd that the pener-
oil construction was, ait it did no, refer the
Lerompton constitution back to the people
of Kansas. II he believed it did, he would
vote against it, even with the Black Repub-
iicans. The gentleman from Georgia {Mr.
Stephens) said that the constitution was
not to be submitted, and the gentleman n
ltom Indiana (Mr. English by his silence
acquiesced in that view. He (Mr. Shorter)
would now cooperate with the friends OF
the measure, and vote for the previous ques.
tion.
Mr., Campbell, of Ohio, said that bis col
league, Mr.. Cox, ut the commencement OF
the session, took the banner of the popua
sovereignty in hand, and triumphantly de.
Tended it; but now, in the full view of vic.
tory, he beat a retreat. ...
Mr.. Cox, Of Ohio, wished to say that he
was of the opinion that the amendment
which the House passed was the best, bu,
as this could not become law, he was will.
ing to take the next best, under the circum.
stances.
Mr.. Campbell then asked Mr. Cox wheth.
er he understood the bill presented by the
Committee of Conference us submitting
the Lecompton Constitution to the vote Of
the people.
Mr.. Hughes, of Indiana, objected to Mr.
Cox answering the question.
Mr.. Cox replied, however, that, although
the constitution was not submitted directly
yet, in effect, the people of Kansas will
have the opportunity to soy whether they
want it.
Mr. Campbell wanted an unequivocal an.
swer. He then produced letter written
by Mr.. Cox. dated February 9th, in which
the latter stated that while he had vote il
should never be draggled in Lecompton
mire, and that, so help him Gud, he never
could do otherwise. Yes, remarked Mr..
Campbell, my colleague euid he would vote
for no proposition which would not submit
the Constitution to vote of the people.
Mr.. Cox said he still endorsed that letter.
Mr.. Campbell referred to the fact that
about twenty Anti -Lecompton Democrats
were pledged on a high point of personal
honor to stand to the end by the Montgom.
cry Crittenden amendment in company with
the Republicans.
Mr.. Groesbeck, Of Ohio, replied that he
had made no such pledge and had no such
understa nding or consultation.
Mr.. Campbell replied that he did not
make the assertion with reference to thai
geptlemaB, and asked Mr.. Groesbeck
whether he understood the bill as submit.
ting the constitution.
Mr.. Groesbeck said that II does. 72e
Mr.. Owen Jones, Of Pennsy yIvania, re-
marked that he had never given pledge to
Mr.. Campbell, or any body else that he
would stand by the Montgomery amendmen,
or any other measure. ''.5"
MIR. Campbell asked whether he did no
meet with what are known as anti. Lecomp.
ton Democrats, and whether or not com.
mittee was appointed with power TO repre-.
sent snd speak for them to another body.
Mr.. Jones replied that he had met on one
or two occasions with certain Democrat ts but
no committee Ofthat kind was appointed or
authorized to pledge his vote Or any subject.
Mr.. Campbell then asked him whether the
bib sabnaitted the Constitation 70 the vote
OF the'people. ssiso1ag3 gts ,3Ft s:f
Mr.. Jones said that he was willing to lei
people construe that for themse Ives
[ Laughter. h#a ''a p 8aI3f
M. BOhham moved the previous ques.
tion. yer g9.a1 aj ffat M VI sgi Z
Mr.; Grow moved, but the, House refused
TO order call. M
Mr.. Hsskin obtained consent to make .
few remarks, and said that Mr.. Cox, at q