Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-07-15

The Navy bin was under consideration when our
report closed. Many amendments were proposed,
which caused debate.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN addressed the Senate in
forcible appeal in behalf Of the officers who had
been retired and dropped from the rolls He was
followed by
Messrs. BELL and TooMBs. The latter spoke
with great earnestness for an hour at the expira-
ton of which time
Mr.. CRITTENDEN moved an adjournment, as
he wished TO be present at the final vote.
Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
MONDAY, July IA, 1855.
The following debate took place ON the Books
and SUMNER affair:
Mr. EDMUNDSON, by general consent, made
statement affecting himself
He caused to be read his testimony before the
select committee; and then said he did not COM
plain OF the conclusions of the committee as TO the
effect Of the testimony which he had given, but
objected ON the ground on which they sought to
censure him, without even giving him notice that
they proposed introducing resolution of censure
against him. He admitted that he did know of
Mr.. BRooks's intention to attack Mr.. SUMsER, but
he should have degraded himself had he revealed
the private course of his friend The threatened
condemnation Of the House for not betraying con-
hdence would not for moment change his mind.
He was present on that occasion to see fair play
nothing more-on both sides.
The committee, he said, had characterized his
conduct as reprehensible,' because he and Mr..
KErTr did not take steps to prevent the assault,
and inform Mr.. SUMNER of his danger. But he
thought If there was any DANGER it was to Mr..
Brooks who had nothing but his cane, while the
report had gore out that Mr. SUMNER was armed.
In answer to question from Mr.. DUNN, he said If
he had had an opportunity of appearing before the
committee, he could have satisfied them that he
would not have interfered in the NATTER except in
the case of foul play.
Mr.. PENNINGTON said he had informed Mr..
EDMUNDsoN that 80 far as he was informed, he
(Mr. EDMUNpsoNl should have the privilege of APP
pearing before the committee.
Mr.. EDMUNDSON replied that, after the report
was made, it was then too late. He thought that
justice had been denied him in the first place. and
that he would rather appeal to the House.
( Mr.. CAMPBELL, Of Ohio, defended the report,
and said he had not only been willing but anxious
that gentlemen implicated should furnish such facts
as they wished in their vindcation. He then pro-
ceeded to show that the question at issue involves
the very existence of this government Whether
whether the constitution and laws on one hand
shall prevail, or, on the other, whether the free
dom of the cudgeL
The question was then taken on the amendment
Of Mr.. ENGLISH, that the House declare its disap-
probation of Mr.. BR0oKs's assault on Mr.. SUMNER,
and deems this fit occasion to declare its disap-
probation of the use of language in debate person
ally offensive TO individual members of Congress
or States of the Union.
1t was disagreed to--yeas S5, nays TIA. Mr.
HARRIS and Mr.. HOFFMAN were momentarily alb
sent when their names were called, but stated had
they been present they would have voted in the
affirmative
r. The question was then taken on the resolution
of the minority of the committee as substitute
for those of the majority, namely: That this House
has no jurisdiction over the assault committed by
P. 8. BRo0Ks ON CHARLES SUMNER, and therefore
deem it improper to express any opinion on the
subject.
This was disagreed to-yeas Sc, nays l45.
The question was then taken on the resolution
of the committee-that PRESTON s. BROOKS be,
and he is, forthwith expelled from the House as
Representative from South Carolina.
The question was decided in the negative--yeas
12l, nays 95--two-thirds not being obtained.
Mr.. BROOKS rose to a question of privilege,
saying that he had felt that the rights of his con-
stituents and the rights of members had been vio-
lated by the action of the House.
Mr.. GIDDINGS. Iwish to know what the ques-
ton of privilege is.
Mr.. BROOKS. viii state it.
Mr.. DUNN. ask that by unanimous consent
the gentleman from South Carolina be heard.
Mr.. GIDDINGS. For one l shall give no such
consent. | object to anything out Of order from
that gentleman.
Carolina states that he rises to privileged ques-
ton.
Mr.. DUNN. trust the House viii entertain
motion for the suspension of the rules
Y Mr.. NICHOLS. Delicacy may have prevented
the gentleman from speaking heretofore. It is
proper that he should be heard now. protest,
in the name of truth and justice, against keeping
him silent If he desires to speak.
Mr.. EUSTIS. 1t would be gross violation of
courtesy and decency to deprive him Of the privi-
lege.
Mr.. FLORENCE The gentleman from South
Carolina had risen and was stating his question
without objection, and it was not in order for Mr..
GIDDIHGs to object to the proceeding.
The SPEAKER. It was competent for the gen.
tleman from Ohio to raise the question Of order.
Mr.. GIDDINGS. We have voted and did our
duty; and ought not to listen to speech out of
order.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, of Ohio, appealed to Mr.. GrD-
DINGs to withdraw his objection. Mr.. Brooks
ought to be heard as he was vitality interested.
Mr.. CUMINS likewise appealed to Mr.. GIDDIses
to withdraw his objection, and Mr.. g. yielded
only on the ground to satisfy his friends -@
The members now crowded to the neighborhood
of Mr. Brooks, and the spectators in the galleries
manifested intense interest to hear him.
Mr.. BROOKS said that Mr.. SUMNER uttered
SANDER on his State and on a venerable relative,
who at the time was absent Not content with
this he published libel on his State and blood.
Whoever insulted South Carolina insulted him,
and he stood ready at all times humby and
modestly as a son to perform his duty. He
should have forfeited his selfrespect and the
good opinion of his countrymen, if he had per-
mitted the offence to pass unpublished. 1t was
personal affair." and in taking redress in his own
hands, he meant no disrespect to the Senate or