Plymouth weekly banner., 1856-06-12
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Conversational.
WASHINGTON. June 9. I3.

w ASHlNOIONs JuUc lOOO.
SENATE.-Mr. Bright being absent,
Mr.. Stuart took The Chair, and laid be-
fore the Senate a message from the
President in relation to affairs in Central
Aamerica. which has already been pub
lished.
A resolution was adopted that when
the Senate adjourned on Thursday, it ad .
journ TO meet on Monday.
: The presiding officer laid before the
Senate a letter from IL on. Preston, S.
Brooks, addressed to Mr.. Bright. in
which he disclaims any intention of of
Tending against the privileges of the Sen
ate by his assault upon Mr.. Sumner, but
said be felt bound TO chastise him for in
suit 20 his State and to his relatives, and
having sought him in vain elsewhere. he
deemed it proper to inAict that punish
ment here. The Senate not being in
session. he did not think he was commit
ting any breach Of privileges. The let
ter was read. laid on the table and order
ed to be printed. and the Senate then
adjourned ill Thursday.
EnUsE.-Mr. Campbell, Of Ohio, from
the Select Committee appointed TO inves-
tigate the circumstances attending the
assault upon Sumner, made q report. con.
cluding as follows; Whereas, the Senate
of the United States has transmitted TO
this house message. complaining that
Preston s. Brooks, preventative from
The State of South Carolina, committed
upon the person of Chas. Sumner. SEN
ator from the State of Massachusetts,
while seated at his desk in the Senate
Chamber, after the adjournment Of that
body OH the 22d of May last. violent
assault, which disabled him from attend
ing 10 his duties in the Senate.
and declaring that said assault was a
breach of the privileges of that body; and
where's. from respect of the privileges
of the House, the Senate have further de-
clsred that inasmuch as said Preston S.
Brooks is member Of this House, they
cannot arrest. and portion cannot try or
punish him for breach of their privileges;
that they cannot proceed further in the
matter than to make their complaint TO
this House. and that the power to arrest,
try and punish devolves wholly on this
body; and whereas, upon full investi-
CATION it appears that said Preston S.
Brooks has been guilty Of the assault com.
planned of by the Senate, with the most
aggravated circumstances of violence;
that the same was because Of the priyi.
leges Iot only OF the Senate but of the
Senator assalled. and Of this House, as q
CO ordinate branch of the legislative de-
partment of the government. in direct vi.
olation Of the Constitution Of the United
States, which declares that Senators and
Represen taIives. for any speech or debate
in their House. shall not be questioned
in another place; snd whereas. this
House is of opinion that it has the pow
er, and ought to punish said Perston S
Brooks for said assult--not only breach
of the privileges of the Senator ssssiled
and of the Senate and House, as declared
by the Constitution, but as an act of dis
orderly beha vior; and whereas, it furihe
appears from such investigation ,ha
Henry A. Edmunson. Representative
from the State Of Virginia, and Lawranc,
| IVA htltt, oOuiu Odf
olina, some time previous to said assault
were Informed that it was the purpose o
said Brooks 10 commit violence upon th,
person of said Sumner. for words said b
him in debate, as a Senator, in the Sen
ate, and took no measures 10 prevent o
discourage the same. but on The contrary
anticipating the commission Of such vic
lence. We're present on one or more occa
sions to witness the same. as friend o
the assailant; therefore.
Resolred, That Preston S. Brooks b
expelled from the House. as Represen
tative from the State of South Carolina
and the House hereby declare its disaF
probation Of said act of Henry A. Ed
munson and Lawrence Nj. Keitt, in re
gard to said assault. Signed by Camt
bell of Ohio. Skinner and Penning tor
Howell Cobb submitted a minority re
port, arguing that no breach Of privileg
under the Constitution had been commi
ted, that the House had no power to g
beyond the Constitution. concluding ths
breach of privilege had been commi
ted.
Both reports were laid on the tab
and ordered to be printed. Adjourned
He who snys there is no such thin