Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-06-06
congres.ionaI.
Washington, June 2.


SENArE.-Mr. Bright being absent, Mr..
Stuart presided. He laid before the SEN
ate message from the President about
Central America, which has been published.
A resolution was adopted, that when the
senate adjourn On Thursday next, it be till
the following Monday.
The presiding officer laid before the sem
ate, letter from Preston S. Brooks in
which he disclaims any intention of Offend
ing against the privilege of the senate, by
his assault on Sumner, but said he felt
bound to chastise Mr. s. for his insults to
his state, and to his relative. He deemed
it proper to infict that punishment in the
senate, and did not think he was commit
ting any breech of privilege. Tho letter
was read and laid on the table, and ordered
70 be printed. The senate then adjourned
till Thursday.
HoUsE.-Mr Campbell, Of Ohio, from
the select committee on the assault on Mr..
Sumner by Mr.. Brooks, made report, con-
cluding as follows:
@Whereas, the senate of the .. S. trans
mitted communication to this House rep
resenting that Preston S. Brooks, repre-
sentative from South Carolina, committed
on the person of Chas. Summer, senator
from the state of Massachusetts, while seat
ed at his desk in the senate chamber, after
the adjournment of that body, on the 22d
Of May last a violent assault which disa-
bled him from attending to his duty in the
senate and declaring that said assault was
q breach of the privileges of that body;
and whereas, from respect of the privileges
of this House, the senate further declared
inasmnch as said Brooks is a member Of
this House, they cannot arrest or punish
him for breech of these privileges, nor
can they proceed further in the case, than
to make complaint to the House, and that
the power to arrest try and punish devolves
wholly on this body; and whereas, on full
investigation, it appears to this House that
the said Brooks has been guilty of the as
saHlt complained of by the Senate, with
the most aggravated circumstances of vio-
lence, that the same was breach of priv
ilege, not only of the senate, but of the
senator assailed, and of this house as a CO.
ordinate branch of the legislative depart
ment of the government in direct violation
of the Constitution of the United States,
which declares, that senators and represen-
tatives for any speech or debate in either
house, shall not be questioned in any other
place, and whereas this house is of the opin-
ion that it has the power and ought to pun
ish the said Brooks for said assault, not
only as breech of privilege of the senator
assaulted, and of the senate and house de-
elared bY the Constitution, but as an act of
disorderly behavior; and whereas, it fur
ther appears from such investigation that
Henry A. Edmundson, a representative
from Virginia, and S. NJ. Koitt, represen-
tative from South Carolina, some time pre-
yious to said assault, were informed that it
was the purpose of said Brooks to COM
nit violence on the person of Sumner for
words used by him in debate, as senator
in the senate of the q. S. and took no
measures to discourage or prevent the same,
but on the CONTRARY, anticipation the COM
mission of such violence, were present. on
one or more occasions, to witness the same
as the friends of the assailant, thereof,
Resolved, That Preston S. Brooks be and
is hereby, forthwith expelled from the house
as representative from the state of South
Carolina.
Resolved, That this house is hereby de-
elares its disapprobation of said act of H.
A. Edmundson, and S. NJ. Keitt, in regard
to said ASSAULT
Signed by Campbell, Spinner and Penn
ingtOn.
Mr.. Howell Cobb, representing the mi
nority of the committee presented minor
ity report arguing that no breach of the
privileges under the Constitution, had been
committed, and that the house had no pow
er to 60 beyond the Constitution in deci-
ding that breach of privilege had been
committed.
tgKToeb,noEo, No. oI