Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-25
Washington Gossip.

Washington news for the past week is more
than usually interesting, and from its length
crowds out some interesting communications,
which would otherwise be given. The vote in
the Senate upon the bill for the admission of
Kansas was to take place on Thursday of this
week. 1t will probably pass that body by some
four or six majority, and be sent to the House
for final action. We regret that ill-health has
prevented Senator Douglas from taking active
part in the scenes of the past week. What ac-
ton the House will take upon the bill is fore
shadowei by the Anti-Lecompton victory in ere
ating an investigating committee, and the sub
sequent reference of bill to it against the
wishes of the Lecompton men. A despatch from
Washington, March 18th, says:
" The Republicans in caucus last night ar
ranged the programme in reference to Kansas.
A move will be made by Mr.. Stephens when the
bill comes from the Senate, to refer it to the
Committee on Territories. Mr.. Harris will then
move that it be referred to the Select Committee
of fifteen, that said Committee be increased to
seventeen, and that the two members be elected
by the House. The combination expect to carry
The South Americans agreed in caucus to sus-
tain the Republicans in this movement >
The Republicans did themselves much honor
in resisting the crushing out - game of the
Lecomptontes on Monday night. With the
speeches of Senators Crittenden of Kentucky
and Bell of Tennessee, and the decision of the
Southern Americans to oppose Lecompton, there
appears possibility of defeat upon the final
vote.
The following is from the correspondence O.
the Philadelphia Ledger:
" lis useless for any one to dogmatlse about
the result of the Kansas struggle in the House.
The best informed men of those who interest
themselves in the matter admit that they are
at fault. There are several member who do not
themselves know how they are to vote. Their
course is to depend on circumstances that are
uncertain.
The friends of the Presidents Kansas policy
are certain of nothing, except protracted strug-
gre, and of dammage in any event, to the Ad-
mnestration, the Democratic party, and the
harmony of the Union.
There is no intention on the part of the Lee
compton members to take any step backwards
So with the President and Cabinet; they intend
to stand by their measure and sink or swim
with it. One of Che Cabinet remarks: "Ii
Lecompton be beaten there will be no use for
us to stay hear" The failure of the measure
will lead to rupture of the Cabinet, and itf
reconstruction. Perhaps it will also lead to Il
reconstruction of tho Democratic party, upon
safer grounds than the Locompton issue. But
still, am inclined to think that the bill, in
whatever form it may pass the Senate, will also
pass the House, though by close vote, and af-
ter tedious and interesting fight"
The correspondent of the Courier and Eaquir-
er writes:
1.-The ant-Lecomption Democrats remain
! firm, and arc secure in their ability to defeat
the pro-Slavery outrage, which is intended tt
Africanize the party throughout the Union
and in their pO,oer 10 dictate terms 10 the Admin
istrattom afterwards. OF this latter contingent
cy there can be no doubt whatever. If Lecomp
ton be defeated, the combined opposition of Re
publcans and liberal Democrats, with the hon.
est portion of the South Americans, will take
immediate possession Of Congress, and obtair
perfect control of the country.
Tribune Correspondence The anti Iecomp
ton forces in the House count to-day 100 votes
including those of six Southern Americans anc
of Messrs. Owen, Jones, Dewart, Chapman,
Pendleton and Burns-of all, in short, who
profess purpose to cooperate. My own esti
mate is less sanguin; but feel hopeful, unless
new detection occurs. The result in the HOUSE
may turn entirely upon the shape in which thu
! bill comes from the Senate. If Senator Pnghi
amendment be adopted, aud Minnesota be tack
ed on to Kansas, then the present indications
warrant the belief that eight Southern Ameri-
cans, and perhaps nine, will oppose the bill.