The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-24
Ex-Governor Biger of California, arrived in this city
yesterday, and took lodgings at Wizards Hotel

MR.. BROOKSS ASSAULT UPON MR.. SUMNER.
At the opening of the session in both houses Of Congress
yesterday the attention of the two bodies called to
the rencouner which took place Thursday afternoon
between Hon. Preston S. Brooks, of South Carolina and
Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, In the Senate the oc-
ourrence briefly detailed by Mr. Wilson, after which
Mr. Seward offered resolution to raise committee of five
to investigate the facts and report thereon as we'll as to
report the opinion of the committee The resolution was
adopted without objection and the Senate proceeded to
elect as the committee Messrs Glass; Geyer Pearc Dodge
and Allen.
In the House Hon Lewis D. Campbell brought the SUBJ
ect before that body by the introduction Of preamble in
which the alleged facts briefly stated and resolutions
raising committee Of investigation similar to that ap
pointed in the Senate Mr. Campbells preamble and
uons passed with but little discussion because Of
the application Of the previous question The Speaker
appointed the following committee:
Lewis D. Campbell Of Ohio A. @. NJ. Pennington Of
New Jersey Howell Cobb of Georgia. A. Greenwood Of
Arkansas, and f. Z. Spinner Of New York.
In each house the proceedings based upon the
sumption that Mr. Brooks made the assault Mr. Summer
whilst his and engaged in his public business In the
House these facts assumed in the preamble of Mr.
Campbell and in the Senate they distinctly assumed
by Mr. Wilson in his opening remarks 1t is hardly doubt
full that the proceedings in the two houses the result
of concert and 1t is fair inference therefore, that the
jurisdiction in the rested the facts assumed that
Mr. Sumner at the time of the assault not only in his
seat but engaged in his public duties a senator. As
these seemed 10 be the only material facts about which
there may be controversy feel at liberty state briefly
what we think will be found to be the truth the
currence
he IN had adj and al
persons in the galleries had left the chamber when Mr.
his seat, and said:
"Mr. Sumner, have read your speech with care and
with much impartiality am capable Of and feel 1t
my duty tell you that you have belled my State and
sandered kinsman who Is aged and absent, and must
punish you for It,"
Mr.. Brooks then struck Mr.. Sumner violent blow
across the head with gutta percha cane At first Mr.
Sumner manifested disposition TO defend himself but
was finally Frustrated by the repeated blows of his
saiant when several Of the bysanders interered and
removed Mr. s, in a senseless condition, TO Of
the adjoining rooms Surprising these to be substan-
tally the facts 1t may be remarked that the offence
Of Mr. Sumner consisted in his having attacked, in
late speech In n most wanton and atrociouS man
ner not only the State of South Carolina, Of which
Mr. Brooks is a representative but Senator Butler,
who is near relative of Mr.. Brooks aged gentleman
and now, and at the time Of the attack, absent at
home As the attack made by Mr.. Brooks when the
Senate in session, and when the chamber open
to all persons presume that the place where 1t
made have bearing on the legal question which
may be involved. Whether Mr. Sumner at the time
engaged in his public duties and II he was whether that
Is material circumstance in the case questions
which the committees raised will report the facts and their
opinions and until such reports deem II premature
indulge in further remarks.