Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-04-21
The Kansas Bill.

An editor out West threatens his readers with
two columns more on Kansas affairs, unless they
come forward promptly and pay up their sub
scriptions. He could hardly have hit upon
severer penalty. We have no intention OF lntlict-
ing upon our readers another disquisition on the
never-ending theme, but they OF course wish TO
be informed of the progress of the Kansas bill
and the general posture of affairs. AS briefly
as possible, therefore, we will give the history
of events.
Our last report left the bill in the House OF
Representatives, that body having determined
10 adhere to the Crittenden substitute. A mes
sage communicating this fact was laid before
the Senate on Monday, the 18th, and was there
taken up for consideration on Tuesday MI
Green, of Missouri, moved that the Senate insist
on its original bill aud ask for committee OF
conference. A debate arose, during which MIR.
Stuart, of Michigan, remarked, that the propo-
sition to insist in the face of an adherence on
the part of the House, seemed to him hardly res
pectful to the latter Mr.. Brown, of Mississippi,
thought the motion in no wise direspecttul to
the House. In point of strict punctilio it was
perhaps not respectful to its own dignity for the
Senate to make this offer; but he was willing to
make a concession in his official capacity which
he would not make personally. After some fur
Their discussion Mr. Green's motion was carried
by vote of yeas 80, nays "a. So the Senate
virtually resolved that they would not abandon
their position, but asked for a committee of con-
ference that the House might have an opportu-
nifty to abandon theirs. Mr.. Kirkpatrlok, the
President pro tenn, appointed Messrs. Green'
Hunter and Seward the committee on the part
of the Senate.
The message from the Senate announcing us
action was taken up in the House on "edneS
day. Mr.. Montgomery, of Pennsylvania, movec
that the House insist on its adherence. The
Speaker voting in the negative made theVotea tie
and thus the motion was lost. Mr.. English, O
Indiana, then moved that committee OF con
ference be granted. The vote stood, yeas lo0
nays los, and the Speakers casting vote decid
ed the question in the affirmative.
On Wednesday morning twenty anti-Lecomp
ton Democrats held caucus to consider wha
course it was proper to take. Nine voted in ia
vor of a conference and eleven against it. The
minority, Mr. English among them, stated, a.
they afterwards did in the House, that they hat
no intention of voting for the Senate bill in any
shape whatever; but they wished to show nc
disrespect for the other branch OF Congress
which asked for a conference.
The Speaker of the House appointed on the
committee, Messrs. English Of Indiana, anti-Le-
compton Democrat, Stevens of Georgia, Le-
compton Democrat, and Howard of Michigan
Republican. Thus both parties, Lecompton and
anti-Lecompton, are equally represented on the
joint committee.
Washington advices of Friday last state that
the committee had held an informal meeting and
exchanged views in conversation. Mr.. English,
it is said, insisted upon the submission of the
Lecompton Constitution to fair vote OF the
people of Kansas and declared that he would
consent to nothing less. Messrs. Seward and
Howard agreed with him fully. Thus far Messrs.
Green, Hunter and Stephens will not concede
the point; and final disagreement of the COM
mittee was regarded as nearly certain.
The committee met again on Saturday, but
there was no indication of agreement. The IL
nal meeting, it was expected would be held on
Monday