Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-05-31


thought proper to bring the subject to the at
,ontion Of the House. Mr. Campbell said Mr.
Hubbard was not acting in his official capacity
at that time.
Amer some further proceeding, Mr. Camp
bell moved to lay Mr Clingman's appeal from
the decision of the chair on the table. Tie
motion was agreed to by yeas So, nays II.
The speaker then made a personal explana-
lion He said he had NOT beea party to any
deliberaiou or consultation in this matter, and
had M know ledge Of the proposition until il was
heard from the clerks desk.
lie said substantially that il was represented
or charged that a member Of the House had as
slulied 4 senator while in tho discharge Of his
official duties The Senate could not Interfere
with a member of This House, but il belonged
to the House if one nf its members had viola,ed
the privileges of the senate 10 make an invesii-
CATION, ii being the proper tribunal Tor that
purpose, the Senate being a coordinate branch
Of Congress, and covered by the same consliiu-
iional privilege. 1t was the duty of the chair
To receive MrCamrbells proposition as aques-
ton Of privilege.
Mr. Brooks explained, and said, ] take tie
entire responsibility Oh myself. and state on my
/ honor US o gentleman, that no human being be-
sides myself knew when the transaction would
take place.
Mr. Mcqueen Of S c. informed Mr. Campbell
that a legal process had been issued against his
colleague, Mr.. Brooks. who was amenable to
the laws of the country. Mr. Campbell said he
had no pupose to put any party in false posi-
ton, but merely wished to ascertain the facts,
there being so many rumors prevalent
Mr. Haven of ~ Y, appealed to Mr. Camp
bell to omit the name of Mr. keiu from the pre-
amblc. Mr. Campbell assenled. Several de-
bers." But Mr. Campbell refused, saying he had
reasons for retaining them
Mr.. Keiu remarked that, as his name had
been withdrawn, he would say tina, he neither
knew the time nor place when the act wond
be committed, 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 he
had not the slightest preconceri with his col
league.
Mr. Canpbell's preamble and resolution were
then voted upon and passed-yeas 90, nays Gs.
/ Those who voted for investigation were all
from the free states save Humphrey Marshall
of Ky, American. Those who voted against
investigation were all from the slave states save
the following administration men Richardson
Allen and Marshall Of illinois ia bid for south
ern votes at Cincinnati for Donglas,) Herbert
Of California, Kelly Of n. Y Florence OF Penn.
Miller of Indiana.
The speaker appointed as tho committee Of
investigation :-Messrs Campbell Of Ohio, Al
lison of Penn, Cobb Ga, Greenwood Of Ark.
and Spinner Of n. Y.
Mr. Allison at lis request was excused and
Mr. Pennington appointed in his place.
Mr.. Summers Statement.
The House Committee of Investigation wait
ell on Mr. Sumner Monday, and took his ,estmo-
cross examined. lie was in bed during the
examination, and has set up but little since the
assault. He is still very weak, and the ply
sicians counsel him not TO attempt 10 90 out Of
the house during this week.
The following is the statement OF Mr. sum
ner, under oath
] attended the Senate as usual on Thursday,
the 22i Of May. Afler some formal business,
message was received from the House Of Rep
resen,aIives, amounting the death ola member
Of that body from Missouri This was follow
ed by brief tribute to the deceased from Mr..
Geycr, Of Missouri, when according to usage
and out of respect to the deceased the Senate
adjourned at once. Instead of leaving the SEN
ate chamber with the rest Of the Senators, on
the adjournment, continued in my scat, oceu-
pied with my pen, and while thus intent, in or-
der 10 be in season for the mail, which was
soon 10 close, was approached by several per-
sons who desired to converse with me, but
answered them promptly and briefly, excusing
myself for tho reason that was much engaged.
When the last Of these persons left me drew
my arm chair close to my desk, and with my
! legs nndet the desk coniinned writing. Nv al
,eniion at this time was so entirely drawn from
all other subjects that though there must have
been many persons in the Senate, saw nobody.
While thus intent, with my head bent over my
writing, | was addressed by person who ap-
preached the front Of my desk | was so en-
tlrely absorbed that was not aware fhis pres
NhNS hhtii hodfu my iailc pfnnouuCcu. as
] looked up with pen in hand, saw tall man
whose counienance was not familiar standing
directly over me, and al the same moment
caught these words 81 have read your speech
twice over carefully ii is q libel on South
"Carolioa, and Mr.. BGiler, who is relative of
''mine." While these words were still pass
ing from his lips, he commenced succession
of blows with heavy cane on my bare head.
by the first of which was stunned so as to lase
my sight. saw no longer my assailant, nor
any other person or object in the room. What
did afterwards was done almost unconscious
ly, acting under the instincts OF selfdefense. -
With head already bent down, rose from my
seat--wrenching up my desk, which was screw
ed to the hoor-and then pressing forward, while
my assaillanl continued his blows. had no
other consciousness until | found myself ten
feet forward in front of my desk, lying on the
floor of the Senate, with my bleeding head sup
ported on the knee Of a gentleman whom soon
recognized by voice and manner as Mr.. Morgan