New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-08
THE GUARDIANSHIP OF THE CON-
FERENCE COMMITTEE.
From Our Own Correspondent.

from Our Own Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 5, 1853.
Though perhaps little late in the day for
political purposes it may be of use as matter of
history to put upon record the circumstances at.
tending the appointment of Mr. English as Chairman
of the Conference Committeeman appointment
being the turning point in the long Lecompton
struggle.
When the Speakers casting vote had decided in
favor of conference the question arose as to who
was entitled to the Craftsmanship of the Committee
Montgomery who made the original motion, or
English who moved the amendment which pre-
vailed. The Speaker, with whom the appointment
rested, indicated a desire to hear the opinions and
advice of gentlemen of all parties before he came
to decision. Consequently, at the suggestion OF
a number of Republican members, Messrs Wash
burn of Maine, Bennett of NewYork, Colfax of
Indiana, and Sherman of Ohio, called upon Mr.
Orr in the Speakers room and entered into CONVEX
satOn with him on the subject.
1t was evident at once, l am told, that the
Speaker had made up his mind to appoint English
The Republicans, who distrusted English at that
time, and indeed long before, were very unwilling
that he should be placed on the Committee as an
Anti-LecOmptonite and allowed to hold the balance
OF power at the conference. They accordingly in
sisted that as it was conceded that one Republican
and one Douglas Democrat should be on the Com
mittee not English but Montgomery should be the
Douglas man selected. Montgomery was the choice
of the Douglas men themselves, and was the Anti
LecOmpton leader of the House.
"But," said Mr.. Orr, English made the mo-
ton"
THAT" replied the Republicans, sis not against
our position; for Montgomery was the mover OF the
original proposition and Engsh's motion only
an amendment In an exactly similar case this SEES
son-the case of the Tariff Investigating Com
mittee-Stanton made the notion and Letcher
moved an entire substitute, which was adopted:
vet Stanton as the original mover was appointed
Chairman of the Committee"
All that the Speaker had to say, in reply to this
home thrust was the remark that this was diff
ferent case, Montgomery resolution and English s
amendment being antagonistcal.
mot at all" replied the Republicans, for both
English and Montgomery claim to be Anti Lecomp-
ton, differing only in degree Both profess to be
equally opposed TO yielding the principle on which
the Houses differ The only difference is, that
Montgomery is in favor of adhering to the House
amendment, while English is in favor OF insisting
but wishes TO cOncede conference, out OF courtesy
to the Senate They are, therefore, not antagonls-
tcsl, if Mr. English is as decidedly Antl-Lecompt0n
as he Processes to be. The case is precisely like
that OF Letcher and Stanton and Montgomery, as
the original mover is entitled to the craftsmanship.
The Speaker did not attempt to rebut this argu-
ment. but indicated nevertheless, that English
would be appointed. The Republicans gave up the
effort to change bis resolution being fully satisfied
that Mr.. Orr understood Mr. English position
and was in the secret of his plans and Vaccinations
They we're not, therefore, at all surprised when
after little coy delay, he presented a bill which
the Administration approved and the Lecompton
me joyfully accepted. The programme had doubt
less been long before agreed upon, and the appoint
ment of English as Chairman was only necessary
step toward carrying it out.