New-York daily tribune., 1858-02-06

| SIR: In answer to the question propounded 10 me
by the House would most respectfully state that,
| when the subpoena served upon me sumuioning ne
| before your Select Ccmmi tee consented to sPpes
and prepared t. do so; but being under heavy bonds
| in NewYork not TO leave the jail mits 0 that city
| called upon the Sheriff and told him hsd oetn sum
rtned TO appear before the Committee. and desired
thst my bonds should not be forfeited dur,g my ao-
| seree. He replied that if left the city voluntarily
my bonds would be forfeited aud my pledges 81 iath
brtk.s; but if my attendance was compelled, 70 was
hp opinion, well az that Of my attorney thar my
bail would not suffer o.s Upon this advice acted
supposing il right, and never knowing or intend
ing to commit any contempt OF your honorable body
/ would chterfuly and without hesitation have ap-
peared before the Committee and answered all ques-
tions put to touching the investigation they were
pursuing had it not been for the restraints thrown
around me iu New-York. now hold myself in readi.
ness to answer al such proper questions as the Com
mittee may put TO me-"
Mr.. STANTON (Ohio) remarked that the witness
had appeared before the Committee aud answered
very prom pity and without equivocation every ques-
ton propounded. As to whether he answered cor
rectly it was for the country to Judge On Mr. Stan
tons motion, Williamson was discharged from Gus
The Presidents Kansas Message was then consid-
cred.
Mr. GROW called attention to the fact that, while
the President transmitted q copy OF the Minnesota
Constitution and the official of the election
making recommendation concerning its admission
State he sent in copy OF the Lecompton Consti-
tuition with no returns, but with recommendation
that Kansas be admitted under that
Presidents Message, instead OF communicating any
desirable information abounds in epthets and SIAN
ders against the people Of Kansas Mr.. Grow then
gave way to
Mr.. HARRIS (Ill.), who withdrew the resolution
he had pre- vously submitted, and introduced another
with the view of obtaining information II they
were to believe the opinion expressed by gentlemen
on oil sides of the chamber, this was one OF the
most momentous questions ever presented to the con-
sideration of Congress- Inmations had been thrown
out here and at the other end of the Capitol that the
decision Of this question might perhaps result in pre-
ciptating events disastrous in eminent degree TO
the character and welfare of the country II this eI
preston Of opinion rested any welfounded existing
state of facts, is necessary that the country should
know what they When navigator was
about to embark on voyage, it was I'M
portant for him to ascertain at his departure We
are about to enter on new order OF things-et the
world, the country, and history know the facts IN
which this order of things is to be initiated. There
wide diversity of opinion relative to existing affairs
in Kansas. Allegations have been made of fraud,
corruption, outrage and infamy, which, II true, and
gentlemen, by their action, indorse what has been
dOne they become accessories after the fact IN per-
peuatpg those frauds II was due to themselves aud
to those whom they represent, and due to those
who are to come after them, and to the
world that the facts should be obtained in
an authoritative form. What possible objec-
tion could there be to inquire into the facts.
The truth has never harmed anybody on q
great public question Of this character There should
be call for information from all the sources where 1t
can be obtained Hetrusted no gentleman would attempt
topreciptae vote on question which lies at the bot
tom Of the subject of the admission OF Kansas until
they shall obtain all the facts connected with the origin
of the Leoompton Constitution, and facts which have
transpred since its formation 30 far as they can effect
the propriety of the admission of Kansas into the
Union. He asked for no facts not directly pertinent
to the question. 1t had been said in some quarters
that the effect of such CALL would be to delay action
and add to the prevailing excitement In the country
His call was not to effect delay but to hasten the work
they to do, who anxious to take this fear
full leap in the dark when they could have the facts
before them to light their path. He did not propose
call for information all that occurred there for he
held in his hand statement which satisfied him that
there ought to be an investigation. He sent up to be
read letter from ex-Secretary Stanton
Mr.. LETCHER (va.) raised the point OF order that
Mr.. Grow could not farm out the floor to Mr. Harris
Mr.. GROW PENN yielded the floor altogether to
the lsst-named gentleman Mr.. Stantons letter was
then read 10 it he says, among other things that on
supposed the question Of Slavery was the only cause
of and that they .1"H rd ih % Sse Chief
this view was altogether too limited. 1t did not
reach the true ground of the controversy Mr. Slah
ton then proceeds to speak of the complaints OF the
great mas of the people concerning ths oeaa tHer
ment forced on them BY fraud and Violence anu their
utter want Of confidence in the controlling
lous partisans who had fsfed the returns, and who
sought to undermine both him and the Goverhof oe'
cause they rejected the Oxford returns, &c.
MI. HARRIS remarked that in addition to this he
might read letter from ex-Gov. Walker, OF silniaI
import 1t was quite remarkaoe % the sont;vs and
those who derived their appointment from him 10 az
minister the affairs of Kansas. How, then, oouiu
be supposed that the people of the country woud De
united on this question he conciudeu oy suuuts
resolution that the Presidents Message ana the Le
compton Constitution be referred to Select Commit
tee Of fifteen, TO be appointed by the speakers VIII
instructions to inquire into all facts connected Win
the formation of the said Constitution, and the laws
under which the same originated, and into 81 the
facts and proceedings which have transpireo since
the formation of the Constitution, and whether s
satisfactory TO the legal voters OF the Ierory, 'u
Committee to have power to send for persons ana
The SPEAKER said that Mr.. Harris could offer his
resolution only as an amendment 10 Mr: HugeessoS
motion to refer the message to select oomnitee Oh &
Mr.. HARRIS believed the ruling OF the speaker
correct and in order to at once ascertain the late OF
| his resolution moved the previous question. -
Mr.. STEPHENS (Ga.) in vain appealed 70 DIR;
Harris to withdraw the motion, and then moved can
Of the House.
Mr.. CLINGMAN moved an adjournment. ..,
| Cries of Let's take the question mingled with
yocifersons"N No. ""No." Great disorder prevailed.
VOICE" Go it, boys, the fights commencedi
| hs, ha."
| The House by yeas and nays first voted down the
motion to adjourn, and then motion to adjourn IN
| Monday Both parties evidently nerved for the
fight. Somebody on the Democratic side moved an
| adjournment till Tuesday.
| Mr.. CLINGMAM IN. Give are getting into
| snarl. move an adjournment.
| Mr.. CAMPBELL lOho) amid confusion proposed
that the several propositions for adjournment % WIN
drawn, and that the House come to direct vote on
| the pending proposition respecting the message:
This was received with laughter, and cries of " No,
no." lyon can't steal march on us N that way,
Nh. KETTT Is. c. i moved owed an adjournment,
| Mr. STANTON (Ohio) raised point OF order.
Mr.. COBB (Ala.l asked to be excused from voting,
and also that the question be determined by Ieas anu
| Nays.
| Mr.. WARREN Ark, this being Friday, moved
that the private calender be taken up. Laughter. ,