Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-06-06
Conversational.

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Committee appointed to investigate the
facts attending the recent assault upon Mr..
Summer, made report in writing. 1t states
that preccdeu.s are to be found only in the
action Of the House Of Representatives,
the Senate never having been called on to
pronounce judgment in a similar case. Sew
eral precrdonts are cited, and the Commit
tee came ~ the conclusion that, although
the assalt was 4 yiOlantion of the privile-
ces of the Senate, 1t is not within their
jurisdiction, and the offence can only be
punished by the House, of which Mr.
Brooks is a member. The conclusion is
in strict conformity with Parliamentary
law aud the requirements Of the Con. titu-
ton, aud they therefore recommend that
the Senate make complaint to the House,
aud submit resolution that the report be
accepted, and copy thereof, with the aft
dayits accompanying the same, be trans
mitted to the House Of epresentatives
The resolution was adopted, MIR. Toombs
alone voting No."
House, June 2d.-Mr Campbell of
Ohio, from the Select Committee appointed
ID investigate the circumstances attending
the attack upon Mr.. Sumner, made report,
concluding as follows:
Whereas the Senate of the United States
have transmitted 10 this House message.
Complaining that Preston 5. Brooks, a Repre-
sentative from the State Of South Carolina,
committed upon the person of Charles Sumner
f-Cp tba of
while seated at his desk, in the Senate cham
ber, after the adjournment of that body on the
22d of May last, violent assault. which disa-
bles him from attending 10 his duties in the
Senate, and declaring that said assault was a
breach of the privileges of that body; and
whereas from the respect of the privileges of
the House. The Senate have declared that mas
much as the SAID Preston s. Brooks is mem
of this House. they can not arrest, and a
foriiOrI, can not Try and punish him for a
breach oi their privileges; that they can not
proceed farther IN the case than TO make their
complaint 10 this House, and that the power
10 arrest, try and punish, devnlves solely on
this body; and whereas, upon a full investi-
garion, il appears to this House that the said
Preston S. Brooks has been guilty Of the as
saut complained Of BY the Senate, with most
aggravated circumstances of violence. and
that the same was breach of lhe privileges
not only of the Senate but of the Senator as
sailed, and Of this House, as a coordinate
branch of the legislative department of the
government, IN direct violation Of the Consti-
sutton of the u. States, which declares thai
a Senator or Representative for any speech
or debate in either House, shall not be ques-
toned n any other place and, whereas, this
House is of the opinion tha, 1t has the power
md rp ntsh, nd
for the said assault, 10, only as a breach Of
the prvalege Of the Senator assailed. and of
the Senate and House, as declared bv the
Constitution, but as an act Of disorderly be-
havior
And whereas, il further appears from such
investigation tl.-. Is-r,ry a. Eimnndson, Rep
reseniatlve from the Stale Of Virginia, and
Lawrence NJ KEN, Representative from South
Carolina, some time previous 10 the assault
were Informed that 1t was the purpose of The
sad Brooks 10 commit violence on the person
Of said Chrles Sumner for words used by
hln. in debate as Senator in the Senate and
took no measure 10 discourage or prevent the
same, bul On the contrary. anticipating the
com mission Of such violence. were presen, on
one or more occasions 10 witness the same as
friends Of the asSaiant; therefore,
Resolved. Tha, Preston s Brooks be, and
IS ioTA4wiih eNpe led from this House as
Representative from the Stale of South Caro-
linz.
Resolved. That the HuI-c hereby declares
its dsapprobaton O! he said act Of Henry A.
Edmundson and Lawrence NJ. KeIti, in regard
TO said asSaii.
Signed by Messrs. Campbell, Of Ohio,
Spinner and Pennington.
Howell Cobb, submitted minority re-
port, arguing that no breach of privilege
under the Constitution had been committed
and that the House had no power to go
beyond the Constitution in deciding that
breach Of privilege had been committed
Both reports were laid on the table, and
ordered to be painted. The House then
adjourned.