Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-04-02
&c plspufe in the Honsc.

The Dispute in the House.
Quite lengthy personal dsputation
occurred in the House of Representatives
on Saturday last 1t arose from some
remarks of Mr. Smith, Of Virginia, in
the course of his speech on the Kansas
question on the day before. He had de-
clared that member of the Illinois del
egation told him that, on the convening
Of Congress, the Democratic members
from Illinois held a consultation, which
was attended BY Senator Douglas, and
at which the course to be pursued rela-
tive TO the Lecompton measure was de-
terminad upon. And, that the reasons
for pursuing that course were that Mr..
Douglas might be reelected to the Sen
ate, and because the President had not
appointed certain persons recommended
Cy lHr. Douglas and the delegation. Mr..
Shaw denied that any such "consulta-
ton" had ever been held. Mr.. Morris
supposing Mr.. Smith had reference to
him, denied having made the statement
aud urged that Ne had been mis3hder-
stood. He then related what he alleged
to be the substance of the only CONVEX
sation he ever had with Mr.. Smith, Civ
ing the matter a different phase alto
gethor
This brought Mr. Smith to his feet,
when he not only emphaticaIly re-afiirln-
ed all that he bad previously stated but
made the case even stronger, and assert
ed that Mr. NJ had also told him some
thing to the effect that Mr.. Douglas bad
suggested to Mr. Calhoun, the President
of the Lecompton Convention, the plan
of submitting the constitution to the peo-
pie Of Kansas. lie also remarked that
Mr.. NJ. had made similar statements to
Mr.. Burnett, Of Kentucky, and called
on that gentleman to answer if such was
not the case. Mr.. Burnett would only
make statement when called upon by Mr..
NJ. Mr. NJ urged that the conversation
alluded to had been in his private apart
ments, and was not intended for public
repetition. he consented that Mr.. Bur-
nett should state what he had said to
him. Mr. Burnett then said that Mr.
Morris had told him substantially the
same as Mr. Smith had alleged was told
TO him. Mr. NJ had also remarked that
Mr. Douglas believed the President
wished to crush him, and that his refusal
ia appoint parties whom Mr.. d. recon-
pended was proof Of that desire, and
that the friends Of Mr. d were unwilling
TO stand by and witness such treatment
from the President.
Mr.. slarshall, of Illinois, denied that
any conference had been held. and
pronounced any assertion to that effect
untrue. He also denied that any sug-
gestion was made by Mr. d. to Mr..
Calhoun, relative to the submttal to the
people Of Kansas Of the Leeompton Con-
stitulion Dir Smith admitted that his
--scsgsFsetion with Mr. Morris took place
in the lodgings Of that gentleman, but
denied that any Injunction of privacy
was imposed The conversation was on
an important public mater, a;id , although
he could not feel that be had in this in
stance betrayed confidence in repeating
it, he would even be justified in violating
a rule Of etiquette where the welfare Of
the country is involved.
Mr.. Wright, of Georgia, thought the
matter had gone far enough, as it must
inevitably run into personalities if CON
tinued. lie believed the whole dispute
onsued from difference Of opinion on
the meaning of the words conference"
aud consultation"
Mr. Morris concluded the dispute by
deprocOting the conduct of Mr.. Smith in
making use of a private conversation,
and contended TINT the difference between
what be acknowledged having said aud
what Mr.. 5. had represented him to have
SAID was, at most, immaterial -&ar.