Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-03-31

WASHINGTON ITEMs.--Judge Douglas deliver
ed his closing speech in the kansss debate 10
one of the largest and most imposing audiences
ever assembled inside the walls of the Senate
The rotunda and lobbies were crammed, ana
the Vice President issued orders that no Senator
should be called out, on account OF the diincuily
of egress. Mr.. Douglas upon entering the
chamber was received with loud and enthusiastic
applause, which he deprecated by shaking MS
head and making gestures to stop. There was
not one foot of room in the galleries and the re-
porters were overrun. All the seats on the
floor were occupied, and the windows near the
roof were filled The spectators gallery was
nearly all filled by ladies, most OF whom remain
ed over recess at four o'clock, and conunued
through the whole sitting until haif-past eleven.
On motion of Mr.. Gwin the ladies were admit
ted TO the floor, and in few minutes it was
crowded with them. Some idea of the interest
attaching to the speech may be cleaned from
the statements Of the telegraph, received during
the progress of its delivery.
SO o'clock, P. M.-There is tremendous
crush at the Senate. Our messengers are beat
en,back in their attempts to effect an entrance
1t seems almost impossible to get in so as to OBJ
tain the report for the press.
'1U.OU.-OuT ueSSeuSer las iSeutnSu AAOH-
the Capitol, and says there is no earthly chance
of communication with the reporters for the AS,
ISOLATED Press, the crowd being so great All
approaches to the floor and gallery are perfectly
Inaccessible. We can do nothing but wait I'M
til Mr.. Douglas gets through with his speech
when the crowd will dispense"
A conference of the AntiLecompton mem
bers of the House has been held in regard to the
Senate Kansas bill. 1t has been agreed to move
the adoption of Mr.. Crittenden's substitute with
slight modification effecting the qualification
of voters, whenever the question was raised
The Americans and cooperating Democrats
will accept no other arrangement, and they ten
der this as the best mode of testing the sincerity
of the Administration upon popular rights. Ii
this proposition be declined, the Lecompton
bill will inevitably pass, as votes enough will
recede to make it certain. Should the substi-
tute be adopted, the Senate will disagree, and
insist on the original bill. Then the House can
give it final quietus, while putting the respon-
sibility of declining fair adjustment on the
Senate.
Mr.. Mason significantly intmated in the Sen
ate on Wednesday that Minnesota would not be
allowed to pass into the Union till the fate Of
Kansas should have been decided in the House
The Senate in executive session on Wednes
day took up the nomination of Colonel Johnston
commanding the army in Utah, as Brevet Brig
adler General. There was a good deal OF oppo
sition by few Senators, chiefly on the GROUND
that he was Colonel of but three years
standing, while there were many older in thai
rank. But the exigencies OF Johnston's situation
and the necessity of such command prevailed
and he was confirmed by large vote.
1t is the general understanding among the
members of the House that the vote will b'
taken on the Kansas question on Thursday next
1t is believed by the opponents of the bill tina
they will have seven majority in favor of thu
proposition made by Mr.. Crittenden in thu
SENATE, but there is reason to fear that certain
Republicans will not vote for the bill even /
thus amended. Efforts are making to overcome
their objections. On the other hand the LIE
comptonites boast confidently that certain mel
who profess opposition have changed sides.
An order will shortly be issued from the Wa
Department, changing the Uniform Of the army
and fixing upon one more adapted to service, il
accordance with the recommendation OF tn
3oard recently appointed for that purpose.