Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-25
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

the act of Senator Douglas In seeking to get |
his recent report before the country in advance
of the official publication Of that of Il Sem
ate's Committee on Territories made bySena-
tor Green, many writer's for the press from
this city, now sympsthi1ing politically with
Mr.. D., and many Republican party editors,
are just now engaged in misreprssenting the
facts involved in the case; which is very plain
one. According to their story, pledge was
made to Senator D. by the Committee, that the
reports should not be made until last Monday.
We are informed, On the best authority, that
this is not so. Senator Green was urged by
Senator Douglas, as early as last Monday, to
have his report ready on the following day.
He did finish it by that time, but its rendition
to the Senate was delayed that it might be
copied. On that day, the minority, Messrs
Collsmer and Wade, had their report ready.
Then it was that Mr.. Douglas first alleged that
his individual report was not completed, and
asked until Thursday, if not until Monday
last, in order to complete it, He also requested
to see or hear read the report of the majority
As under no recognized construction of parlia-
mentary law bad he a right to demand that
privilege, of course it was not accorded-all
reports being properly the views Of those max
ing them upon the questions reported on, and
not arguments to be rebutted in minority re-
ports from the same committee The fact that
Mr.. Douglas plead a want Of readiness with his
report at that time induced Mr.. Green to have
the majority report that he had prepared, CO.
pied of; thus inducing the majority of the
committee to consent to a delsy until Thurs
day last, when all the said reports were pre-
sented to the Senate. On Tuesday last, when
Mr.. Douglas asked to have the time extended
until last Monday, no specific action was taken
to that end by the Committee. Subsequently
the majority insis ted that they (the reports)
should be made on Thursday, and Mr.. Green
Immediately notified Mr. D. Of that determi-
nation by note, so that he might not proceed
with the preparation of his individual report
under the impression that he was expected not
to be ready with it until Monday.
1t therefore seems that, instead of being in
tentionally cheated, as is alleged, as to the
time of its rendition, by the majority of the
committee, he had ample time in which to fin
ish it; and also to have it copied at least for
the New York Tribune, which journal boasts
that it was mailed to its address on the nieht
before the day of its presentation to the Senate.
Under these circumstances the public can Judge
OF the justice of the charges in the Republican
party press against the majority of the Senate's
Territorial Committee, on the ground of want
OF courtesy on their part in forcing Senator
Douglas to be ready with the expression of his
individual views upon the Lecompton Consti-
tuition, without allowing him due time under
the domestic circumstances by which he was
surrounded) for their preparation. According
to parliamentary law, the only report from u
committee is that of the majority; what are by
courtesy termed minority reports are, in the
eye OF parliamentary law, but the views of in
cividual ncmbers-of the minority of commit
tees BY courtesy alone, can they present them
in writing.
Under these circumstances, it strikes US that
the majority Of the committee instead of treat
Ing Senator Douglas with rudeness or want of
due courtesy in insisting on presenting their
own report on Thursday last, as alleged by
writers for the press VIGOROUSLY sympathi.ing
with that distinguished gentleman, were them
selves the victims of parliamentary tactics of
questionable propriety on his part, in his act of
dispatching to the New York Tribune a COPY
of his individual report on the night before its
presentation to the Senate
MEssRs. CLAY AND CULLoM Below W i'll be
found the correspondence resulting in the ad-
justment of the recent unfortunate difficulty
between Messrs. Clay and Cullom, which was
effected at p. m. yesterday. To their numer-
Gus mutual friends this announcement, We are
very sure, will give great satisfaction, indeed
Correspondence.
To The Editor Of the Union:
SIR: We beg to enclose to you, for publication.
the COZ respondence in the affair of Hon James b.
Clay, Of Kentucky, and Hon. VIM Cullom of
Tennessee; and
We are, very respectfully, your obedt servants.
X. w. JOHNSON
r. X. ZoLLIcoFFKR
SIR: You have wantonly fore. upon me a oer
sonal difficulty. You have, without aggression
on my part, struck me a blow. l demand the
satisfaction one gentleman owes to another under
such circumstances. and my friend, the Hon
w Johnson, is authorized by me to confer with
any one you may select.
Your obedient servant JAMES CLAY
Gen VIM Cullom, &c, &c
FEBRUARY p, ls5s
SIR Your note, dated Goth inst was received
al III O'Clock yesterday While | hold myself
bound to give you that satisfaction which Won
demand, cannot omit to notice your assump.
ton, that l have assaulted you wantonly, and
without aggression on your part. You bad used
language which, under the attendant circum-
stances, and in view Of your manner, / regarded
as Intentionally offensive, and SO informed YOU.
asked an explanation Of what I regarded as sar
castle and unkind, and received none but, on
the contrary thought heard a reference to scir-
cumstances surrounding" me, which regarded
rs stu more offensive. ! therefore repealed what
i esteemed an insult. My friend, Hon F. X
Zolliconer, Is authorized to confer with Hon Mr.
Johnson. Your Obedient servant,
WIN. CpLLoM
Hon. Jas. B. Clay.
FEBRUARY %. 1858
GENTLEMEN: The undersigned have learned
with deep concern that a serious difficulty is
pending between the Hon. William Cuilom and
the Hon James Clay, and that you respec-
uVeiy, occupy an Official relation to the parties
in reference thereto f
As friends OF both the gentlemen above named.
and sincerely DESTROYS to preserve peace and TO
avoid the necessity Of conflict, we venture TO
urge upon you that, first and prominent in the |
subject OF your consultations Won consider