The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-05-27
Fridays Proceedings.
WASHINGTON, May %.

bill making an appropriation Tor the improve
ment of st. Mary's river. Michigan.
Mr.Wilson briefly detailed the circumstances
attending the assault upon Mr.. Sumner yester-
day by Mr.. Brooks, of s. c., representing it as
not only against the right of man, but the con-
Istitutional privileges of the members of the
Senate.
Mr. Seward submitted resolution that a
committee of five members be appointed by the
President pro tenn. to inquire into the circum-
stances attending the assault committed on the
person of Chas. Sumner, a member of the SEN
ate in the Senate Chamber yesterday, and that
said committee be instructed to reports slate
ment of the facts, together with their opinion
thereon, to the Senate.
At the suggestion of Mr.. Mason, the resolu-
ton was amended so as to provide for the cleo
ton of the committee by the Senate, and it was
then adopted.
Messls. Cass, Allen, Dodge, Pearce and
Gever were elected said committee.
! Mr.. Stuart gave notice that he shall a. an
early day ask leave to submit an amendment
to the rules of the Senate, declaring it out of
order for any Senator to use, in debate, Ian
guage rejecting upon the conduct and motives
of any other Senator and uncourteouslY and
Improperly rejecting upon the action of State
other than the one represented by the Senator
speaking
A large number of private bills were passed.
HoUsE..-Mr. Washburn, of Me-, from the
committee on elections, reported resolution
that Jas. G. Allen, of Ill., is not and VIM. B.
Archer is entitled to the seat now held by the
former.
Mr.. Stephens has prepared minority report
and the consideration of the subject was post
poned till the 9th of June.
Mr. Campbell, O. Ohio, rising to question of
privilege. offered the following:
Whereas. on the 22d of May the Hon Pres
ton, S Brooks and Hon. Lawrence, M. Keitt,
members of this House from South Carolina,
and other members, either as principals or ac-
cessories, perpetrated a violent assault on the
person of Hon Charles Sumner, Senator of the
United States from Massachusetts, while re-
manning in his seat in the Senate Chamber. and
while in the performance of the duties apper-
tanning to his official station; therefore
, Resolued, That select committee of five
members be app ,inted by the Speaker to inves-
tigate the subject and report the facts, with
such resolution thereto as in their judgement
) may be proper and necessary for the vindica-
2 ton of the character of this House; and that
SAID committee have the power to send for per-
sons and papers, and employ clerk, and to
sit during the sessions of the House.
Adebate ensued Upon the point of order.
Q Mr.. Smith, of Virginia, suggested to Mr..
Campbell the propriety of striking out the pre-
amble. 1t assumed as a fact that which could
be ascertained as such only on examination.
Mr.. Campbell was willing to modify the pre-
r amble which he did, to read, whereas it is rep
e scented, &c. twas due the House and all par
ties that the facts should be presented in some
authentic form and this could only be done
', fully and fairly through committee.
Il Mr.. Clingham was satisfied the statement in
S the preamble is gross falsehood, but he did
# not mean that Mr.. Campbell had Intentionally
q made an untrue declaration. The gentleman
mstook
The Speaker decided the proposition IN order
n as aquestion of privilege.
|. Mr.. Clingman appealed from the decision 0
the chair.
Mr.. Craige was satisfied Mr. Keitt was moi
q concerned in the matter in the way stated.
Mr. Campbell replied ifthat should be prov.
: ed, certainly no wrong would be done.
d Mr. Keitt thought differently. The House
e required the investigation. His personal re-
# lations with the parties had always been thus
% of friendship.
e Mr. Payne inquired-"Is this relation the
n result of preconcert Of action outside of the
n Hall or Of a caucus?
% Mr.. Campbell replied-Not one word had
N he heard lisped by member Of any party as
= to such course. He was influenced alone BY
u the dictates Of his own Judgment and sense o
t, public duty. As to who perpetrated the deed
10 he only knew from what he had heard; al
,s though he saw Mr.. Sumner lying in the ante
room adjoining the Senate, with gashes il
~ his head to the bone and blood flowing ovel
is him.
s Mr.. Clingman repeated that he would leave
II Mr.. Brooks to answer to the law
Mr.. Letcher said-Several years ago Post
D. master General Hubbard was attacked BY
q Gov Briggs, a member of the House, ye
I'd neither he (Letcher) nor Campbell though
ID proper to bring the subject to the attention o
:, the House.
~ Mr.. Campbell-He was not acting in his of
Ut fetal capacity at that time
n Mr.. Campbell moved to lay Mr.. Clingman!
m appeal from the decision of the Chair on the
table, agreed to-yeas IS, nays IL.
The Speaker made a personal explanation
" He had not been party to any deliberatior
Id or consultation in this matter, and had nc
u knowledge ofthe proposition until it was hearc
W from the clerks desk.
Mr.. Brooks explained. take the entire
~ responsibility on myself and state on my hon
or as gentleman no human being besides my
self knew when or where the transaction was
lie intended to be made.
t.. Mr.. MCQUEEN informed Mr.. Campbell that
9 process had been issued against his colleague
- Mr.. Brooks, who was amenable to the laws o
d. the country.
to Mr.. Campbell said he had no purpose to pu
ne any party in false position, but merely wish
a. ed to ascertain the facts, there being so many
g rumors prevalent.
Oh Mr.. Haven appealed to Mr.. Cambell to omit
rs the name of Keitt from the preamble.
ne Mr.. Campbell assested.
lie Several gentleman wanted him to strike GU
the words "other members but he refused