The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-06-20
BBEVLE H. SOUTH CAROLINA, MORNING. JUNE 90

Maffatt, ID. Is. licSter.
33. The True hope Of South Carolina
DIR. j. Simpson, Jos. S. Reid, Capt. NJ
Hall, DR.. W.B. McKcllar, n. f. johnson.
At II. A. NJ. Of Thursday 17th, the an
niversary address will be delivered by L. J
Jones, Esq.
Immediately after which the cups award
cd last year will be presented by the Prcsi-
dent. Tile Treasurer, Col. D'Oyley, scill
be sure TO hape them rcady
Papers friendly to Agriculture and the
n. A. S. will please publish the foregoing.
BY order of the President.
Reports cf the Committee of tho House
of Representatives on tho Case of Mr..
Brooks
We find in the Union, of Wednesday,
last, the majority and minority reports 81
the Committee of the xHousc-of Reprcsent-
atives of the United States. upon the recent
difficulty between Mr.. Brooks and Mr.,
Sumner, in the Senate Chamber. The re-.
port of the majority, signed by Mr.. Camp
bell, Of Ohio, Mr. Spinner. of New York
ana Mr.. bennington, of New Jersey, stating
"e i''c's o' TIC case, concludes rs follows
Chas. Standard
The act cannot, therefore, he regarded by
the Z Commlttcc otherwise than as nm ac
gravated assault upon the incstimablc
r,Sht OF freedom of speech guaranteed bv
the Constitution. 1t asserts for phsical
torce a prcrogativc over governments, con
stitutions, and laws; and if carried to its
ultimate consequences. must result in an
archy, and bring in its train all tire evils Of
Il "rcign Of terror
The committee, therefore. in conformity
to the spirit Of the resolution of the House
and their sense Of public duty, arc con-
Slraincu to recommend to the House the
passage OF such n resolution rs will vinl-
cate its own character and rcbukc the
member who has, so unharpily for himself
anu the country, perpctratcd this great
wrong.
The committee do not discuss the how
ers OF the House to punish its disorderlv
members, nor do tilcy undertake TO argue
the general question as to what constitutes
breach Of privilege. The passage of the
resolution raising the committee is regarded
rs declaration on the part of the House
OF ITS rowcrto call its members to account
tor such acts s,yiolate the privileges of tic
Senate. This assault having been commit
ted by mem her upon Senator "whilst
remaining in his seat in the Senate cham
bcr in'5tlc performance of. the duties per-
tanning to his official station" and for words
there spoken inadebate, the committee have
no doubt of the right or power of the
ionsc to adopt the resolution which they
recommended.
No testimony has been taken, nor are
the committee aware of any. which shows
that any, other member Of the House was
either actively engaged in the assault, or
designed to cogmitsany violence upon Mr..
Summer, nor that any other member knew
the '.precise time 'chen," or "thc place ,chcre"
MIR. Brooks would assail him. tt does ap-
pear, however, that the Hon. Henry A..
Edmundston of Virginia, and the eHop. !
Lawrence NJ. Keitt, of South Carolinal
members Of the House, had been previously
informed Of the purpose Of Mr.. Brooks I'd
commit an assault upon Mr.. Sumner, aud
that they anticipated that tue assault would
take place in or near the Senate chambca
about the time the occurrence did take pIaceA
Mr.. keitt was in the Senate chamber, and
MIR. Edmundston, in room adjoining it at tIld
time the attack was made, and it Is sproved
that MIR: Keitt rushed up with a cane in 4
threatening manner, when tho bystandeB
attempted TO protect Mr.. Sumner from thu
Blows Of Mr.. Brooks. and that Mr.. Edmund
ston! entered the chamber soon after MI.
Summer fell. 4e.4f,,.: n y
TAa cemmittee do not feellthemselves
justified in, expressing. the opinion upon, the
testimony that either Of these members. was
a principal or accessory in the assault, but
regard their conduct in the trapsaction--and
Particularly in not taking. steps to prevent
,Porpetration Of the wrong, or to inform the
Senator Of his dnnger-as reprebensible.
The committee, therefore, recommend the
adoption of the following. 49, a,
1s TO this report is .appended,a preamble
andsthe following resoIutions:s,. ~
Pesolred, ,That PrestoniS. Brooks he,
ands he is fwthwith. Expelled from this
House as q fAfkesentatives from the State
;of South CMoiitias. ,ss,sss. ,,s,-.''e'. s..'
Resosped, Thatahis HeoseIs; fIereby -tIes
clare:its disapplobssipn ToE ,b@,saA sss5of
Henry "A. Elmundston nd Lazsereas
Kcitt in regard toithe said sassaule
y sarsoRsfy nsroRr:ss sassss
Tie iniaosityy rsports gneasBy M gabb,
Of Georgias and Mr. S9sSnwood, 6 sAskah=
4abiect Sofs thas privileges s6f the Hsuss ~
Congress, and up6E IBIS subject 7ftiia
foilbw ing .iarguag : ssf q x
or 1irss inquiry What are fbe PRIV -p.iiSE