The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-05-01
WASHINGTON. April So

HOUsE.-English called for the regular or
der, being the consideration of the report OF
the Committee OF Conference en- the Kansas
bill.
Clark, of n. Y, said he wished to give his
reasons for voting against the substitute, but
a nights sickness had left him physically I'M
able to undertake the task. He would mere
ly now say that he regarded this new scheme
Ms eminently Objectionable in form, and still
more dangerous in substance. lie would
seek the floor on some future occasion to lie
liver his views upon the subject.
Bryan gave the reasons why he had acted
with the little squad of Southern members
on this subject
Shorter, of Ala, said he had, with five or
six Southern Democrats resisted the previous
question. He wanted time for the discussion
in order to arrive at n correct construction OF
the substitute to the bill. lie now found
that the general construction was that II ana
not refer the Lecompton Constitution Dack 10
the people Of Kansas. II lie believed 1t did,
he would vote against 1t even with inc blacK
Republicans.
The gentleman from Ca, Mr.. Stephens,
said that the Constitution was not to be sub
mitted. and the gntleman from Indiana, Mr..
English, nv his silence acque -ced IN that
view. Therefore he, Shorter, would co-opc-
rate with the friends of the measure, and for
the previous question.
Cox wished to say that he thought the
amendment which the House passed, to be
the bost.
Campbell then asked Cox whether he un-
derstood the bill presented by the Committee
OF Conference as submitting the Lecompton
Constitution to q vote of the people.
Hughes b;ectod to his, Cox, answering the
Question.
Cox replied, however, that although the
Constitution was not submitted directly, yet,
in effect, the people Of Kansas will have the
opportunity TO say whether they want il.
Campbell said he wanted an unequivocal
answer. he then produced letter written by
Cox, dated February 9Th, in which the latter
stated that while he had n vote it should
never be draggled in the Lccompton mire,
and that so help him God, he never could do
otherwise. Yes, remarked Campbell, my col
league said he would vote for no proposition
which would not submit tho Constitution to
n vote Of the people.
Cox said he still endorsed that letter.
Campbell referred to the fact that about
twenty anti Lecompton Democrats were
pledged on the high point of personal honor,
to stand TO the end by the Montgomery Crit
tenden amendment, in company with the
Republicans.
Groesbeck aJeplied that he had made no
such pledge He had no such understanding
or consultation.
Campbell replied that he did not make the
assertion with reference to that gentleman,
and asked Groesbeck, whether he un lerstoo,l
this bill as submitting the Constitution.
Groesbeck said that in effect it does.
Owen Jones remarked that he had never
given a pledge TO Campbell or anybody else,
that he would stand by the Montgomery
amendment or any other measure.
Campbell asked whether he did not meet
with what were known "a anti-Iecompton
Democrats, and whether or not committee
WIS not appointed with power to represei.,
and speak tor them to another body.
Jones replied that he met on one or two
occasions with certain Democrats but no
committee of that kind was appointed or au-
thorized to pledge his vote on any subject.
Campbell then asked him whether the bill
submitted the Constitution to vote of the
people.
Jones replied that he was willing that the
people might construe that for themselves.
SESATE.-The consideration Of the repor'
of the Committee of Conference was resume.
Brodcrick said that after the matter had
been 30 ably discussed he would not make a
lengthy speech. lie was opposed to. and
would vote against the bill reported by the
Committee OF Conference, for several rea-
sons, the most potent of which is that it pro-
hibits Kansas from coming into the Union a. q
free Stute during the continuance OF the pow
or of the present Administration. That Ter
rtory has but &c, 900 population now and j
she docs not swallow the Lecom?ton Consti-
tuition, five or six years must clapse before
she will have the requisite population to en-
title her to representation. The origina
bill was doubtless more Objectionable to then
than this conference substitute.
Doolittle offered resolution that wagon
road be constructed from Fort Benton to tn,
navigablc waters of the Columbia river a
Walla Waila. Referred to the Committee OF
Military Affairs