Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-04-07
The Kansas Bin i'm the House.


The bill for the admission of Kansas into the
Union, which passed the Senate some days be-
fore, was taken mp in the House OF Representa-
tives on Thursday last, by general CONSENT anu
put upon its passage. Notwithstanding the
examinations and recliminations OF the Lecomp-
ton and Anti-Lecompton Democrats-the latter
being accursed by the former of going over ooo-
ily to the Black Republicans-all the members
of the House calling themselves Democrats held
friendly conference beforehand to endeaVor 10
reconcile differences of opinion. The enort Iaii
ed no compromise was effected, and the two
nsrties appeared on the floor of the House on
Thursday to try their strength in the great con-
test. The public interest in the question was
shown by the immense number OF spectators
who filed the galleries, among whom were the
British, Russian, Mexican and Dutch Ministers
The members assembled earlier than usual, and
only one was absent-Mr. Caruthers, OF Nilsson
ri, who has been detained from his seat during
the whole session by sickness. There was no
disposition to indulge in further speech-making,
which does not seem strange, as nifty sci
speeches had already been delivered IN the
House in favor of Lecompton, and some seventy
against it.
At one o'clock precisely, in pursuance OF the
previous arrangement, Mr.. Stephens, OF Georgia.
called up the bill. Mr.. Giddings, OF Ohio, pre-
cipitated vote by objecting to second
reading. The entire Republican force and
three Democrats sustained the objection, but 1t
was overruled by the majority. The friends OF
the measure took courage from the result, and
pointed to their majority of forty-two on the
question as evidence of a disposition to admit
Kansas in some shape under the Lecomptcn
Constitution.
In the next place Gen. Quitman, OF Mississlp'
ri, moved to strike out Senator Green's amend
ment, which, according to the Washington Union,
is identical with the Pugh amendment. This
provision, it will be recollected, recognizes the
right of the people of Kansas to alter or abolish
their constitution without regard to the restrlc'
tons of that instrument, and was originally sug
gested by the President himself. But notwith-
standing it was thus endorsed as an administers
ton measure, the whole Southern Democratic
vote was cast in favor of Gen. Quitmans propo
sition. At this crisis the Republicans were found
sustaining the President and they carried the
day, the vote standing, yeas 70, nays l6O.
The bill prepared by Senator Crittenden, with
some amendments proposed by Mr.. Montgomery,
of Penn, was offered by the latter gentlemen as
a substitute for the Senate bill. As described
by himself, the effect of Mr.. Crittendens
bill twill be to admit Kansas into the Un-
ion upon condition that this constitution OF hers
be submitted to a fair vote of the qualified cleo
tors of Kansas to be ratified by them; and if 30
ratified, the President, on information OF the
fact, shall proclaim it State of the Union with
out further proceedings; and if it be not ratified
to have a new constitutional convention conven-
ed NV amendment will be an enabling act in
effect. but admitting Kansas for the present"
The substitute was adopted by vote of yeas
100, nays 112, and the bill as thus amended was
passed by the same vote. This vote Is the larg-
est ever recorded in Congress. Of two hundred
and thirty-four members only two failed to vote,
the Speaker and Mr.. Caruthers. The yeas con-
sisted of ninety-two Republicans, twenty-five
Anti. Lecompton Democrats, and six Americans
The Senate, on Friday, refused to concur in
the House amendment, and the future move
| ments of the two branches of Congress on the
subject will be watched with great interest.