The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-29
Friday, May %, 1856.
SENATE.

MT. wilson rose ana submitted the facts IN re-
| lation to the assault on Mr.. Sumner We print
| the speech in our columns.
Mr.. Seward submitted resolution, that a com
mittee be appointed by the President pro tenn,
to inquire into the circumstances attending the
assault committed on the person of the Hon.
Charles Sumner, a member of the Senate, in the
Senate Chamber, yesterday, and that said COM
mittee be instructed to report a statement Of the
facts, together with their opinion thereon to the
| Senate.
On suggestion of Mr.. Mason, the resolution
was amended so that the committee should be
elected by the Senate, when Messrs. Cass, Allen,
Dodge, Pearce, and Geyer, were elected.
HOUSE
Mr.. Washburn, of Maine, from the Commit
tee of Elections reported a resolution, that
James c. Allen, Of Illinois, is not, and William
B. Archer is, entitled to the seat now held by
the former.
Mr.. Stephens, of the same committee has
| prepared a minority report.
The consideration of the subject was post
| poned to the 9th June.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, rising to a question
of privilege, offered the following:
Whereas, on the 22d day of May, the Hon.
Preston S. Brooks and the Hon. Lawrence NJ.
Keitt, members of this House from South Car
or accessories, perpetrated violent assault
on the person Of the Hon. Charles Sumner,
Senator of the United States from Massachu-
sets, while remaining in his seat in the Senate
Chamber, and while in the performance Of du-
ties pertaining TO his official station therefore,
ReSOtoed, That select committee Of five
| persons be appointed by the Speaker, to invest
igate the subject, and report the facts, with
such resolutions in reference thereto as in their
Judgment may be proper and necessary for the
vihdicatlon of the character Of this House, and
that said committee have power to send for
persons and papers, employ a clerk, and sit
] through the session Of the House.
Mr.. Smith, of Virginia, suggested the pro.
priety of striking out 81 81 the preamble, as much
is assumed as fact that which c0uiG IL. he ascer-
tanned as such only on examination.
Mr.. Campbell was willing to modify the pre-
amble, which he did so as to read Whereas it
is represented" &c. Mr. Campbell said it was
due to the House and all parties that the facts
should be presented in some authentic form,
and this could only be done fully and fairly
| through a committee.
Mr.. Chngman was satisfied that the statement
| In the preamble was gross falsehood, but he
did not mean that Mr.. Campbell had intention
| ally made an untrue declaration The gentle.
man mistook.
The Speaker decided the proposition to be in
order as question of privilege. He said sub
stantially, that it represented or charged
that member of the House had assaulted a
Senator while in the discharge of his official
| duties. The Senate could not interfere with n
member of this House, but it belonged to the
| House, If one Of its members had violated the
privileges of the Senate, to make an investiga.
| tion-it being the proper tribunal for that pur-
| pose, the Senate being coordinate branch of
| Congress, and covered by the same constitution
al privilege. 1t was the duty Of the Chair to re-
ceive Mr.. Campbers proposition as a question
of privilege.
MIR. CGngman appealed from the decision OF
the Chair.
MIR. Craige was satisfied that Mr. Keitt was
not concerned in the matter in the way stated
MIR. Campbell replied, that if that should be
proved, certainly no wrong would be done
Mr.. keitt thought differently. His personal
| relations with the parties had always been those
of friendship.
MIR. Paine inquired: Is this resolution the
result OF preconcert of action outside this Hall
or by caucus?
Mr.. Campbell said that not one word had
been heard lisped by any member of any party
as to such course. He was influenced alone bv
| the dictates of his own judgment and sense Of
public duty. AS TO who perpetrated the out.
rage, he only knew from what ne heard, al
though he saw Mr.. SaGlner lying in the room
adjoining tie Senate, with gashes in his head
to the bone, and blood flowing over him..
Mr.. Clngman repeated, he sonid leave Mr.,
Brooks to answer to the law.
Mr.. lletcner said that, several wears ago.
postmaster General hubbard Was attacked by
george Briggs, then member OF this House,
yet neither be (Letcher) nor Mr.. CampbelI
thought proper TO bring the subject to the at
tention of the House
Mr.. Campbell said Mr.. Hubbard was not act
ing IN his official capacity at that time.
AFTER some further proceedings, Mr.. Camp
bell moved to lay Mr.. Clingman's appeal from
the decision Of the Chair on the table.
Inc motion was agreed to--yeas s., Eays II.
1he Speaker then made personal explana-
ton. lie said he had not been party TO anv
dehberation or consultation in this matter, and
had no knowledge of the proposition until il
was heard from the Clerks desk.
Mr.. Brooks explained, and said | take the
entire responsibility on myself, and state. on NV
LouoF as n gentleman, that no human being
beside myself knew when or where the transac-
ton would take place.
Mr. Mcqueen informed Mr.. Campbell that O
process had been issued against his colleaoue
Mr.. Brooks, who was amenable to the laws of
the country
MIR. Campbell said he had no purpose TO put
any party in a false position, but merely wish.
cd to ascertain the facts, there being SO many
rumors prevalent.
MIR. Haven appealed to Mr. Campbell to
omit the name of Mr.. Keitt from the preamble.
MIR. Campbell assented.
Several members desired him to strike out
the words, "other members" but
Mr.. Campbell refused, saying he had reasons
for retaining them.
Mr.. kett remarked, as his name was with.
drawn, he would say that ne neither knew the
time nor place when the act would be commit
ted; and when it was committed, he was behind
the chair of the President of the Senate, with |
gentlemen from his own State, and he did not
see the beginning of it; therefore be had not |
tia slightest preconcert with his colleague.
Under the operation of the previous question, |
Mr.. Campbell's resolution was adopted-yeas
3d. nays 68-as follows
YEAs-Messrs. Albright, Allison, Ball. Bar.
bour, Bennett of New York, Benson, Billing
hurst, Bingham, Bishop, Bliss, Bradshaw, Rren- |
ton, Broome, Bufiinton, Burlingame, Campbell
of Pennsylvania, Campbell of Ohio. Chaffee, |
Clawson, CClfax, Comins, Coyode, Cragin. Cum.
nack, Davis Of Massachusetts, Davy, Dick. |
Dickson, Dodd, Durfee, Edie, Edwards, Emrie |
Flagler, Fuller Of Maine, Galloway, Gilbert, |
Granger, Grow, Harlan, Haven, Hoffman,
Holloway, Hughston, Kelsey, Knapp, Knight, |
Knowlton, Kunkel, II. Marshall of Kentucky, |
Meachsm, Miller of New York, Morgan, Nor,
rill, Murray, Nichols, Oliver of New York,
Parker, Pelton, Pennington, Perry, Petit, Pike,
Pringe, Purviance, Richie, Roberts, Sabin,
Sapp, Scott, Simmons, Spinner, Stanton, Stran-
ahan, Tappan, Thorington, Thurston, Todd,
Trafton, Tyson, Walk, Wade, Wakemsn, Wal.
bridge, Waldron, Washbprne Of Wisconsin,
Washburn Of Maine Watson Welch Weus