Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-07-15
THIRTY-FoURrH CONGRESS-.

SATURDAY, July IL.
HOUSE. The House resumed the consider
alton of the report on the Sumner assault.
Mr.. Campbell said he should move the pre-
vious question so as to take a vote on Monday
morning, with the understanding that if the
parties implicated desired to be heard, he
would withdraw the motion for their benefit;
but not for reopening general debate.
Voices" That's right
Mr.. Cullen was fully satisfied that the
House had jurisdiction over the subject; if
prompted by his feelings, he could wish Mr..
Brooks acquittal, but sense of public duty
compelled him to say that Mr.. Brooks should
be punished.
Mr.. Boyce of South Carolina argued that
no man could be punished except in pursu-
ance of previous law.
Mr.. Etheridge relied on the clause of the
Constitution, which had been quoted to show
that the House had no jurisdiction over this
offence to prove that the same clause does
not confer jurisdiction relative to the question
for what cause the House may expel a mem
Der that was for the House to determine.
Mr.. Nichols said this matter constituted an
offence of which the House should take cog
nizance. When Brooks concluded to assault
Sumner, he made up his mind to take all con-
sequences therefor neither he nor his friends
disapprobation of the act.
Mr.. Knapp of Massachusetts, earnestly con-
demned the assault, and endorsed thu senti-
ments of Massachusetts as expressed in the
resolutions of the Legislature.
Mr.. Woodruff of Connecticut spoke of the
assault aa brutal outrage. 1t had been said
there was not spirit and manliness enough
here to purge the body, but let trial be made
and then it will be known who dare screen
audacity and give countenance to the crime
Mr.. Granger of New York, said the assault
was committed in highly aggravated and
disgraceful manner. 1t was not so much the
fault or misfortune of Mr.. Brooks, as the ma
lgnant influence which is the foster mother
of all political mischief.
! Mr.. Cadwallader of Pennsylvania, while
admitting the House had jurisdiction, said
| that to execute 1t in such case as the pres
ent, would be supplementary, illegal, and
| dangerous, for the privilege of debate cannot
be made vehicle for defamation and SANDER.
Mr.. Hickman of Pennsylvania regarded
Mr.. Cadwalladers doctrine as monstrcus !;
the gross outrage on Sumner by Brooks was
ylolatlve OF the laws Of the land, of the privi-
leges OF the Senate, and of the rights and
| powers of the House.
Mr.. Savage of Tennessee said Mr.. Brooks
had violated law for which he had more than
atoned. Instead of being fined $780, he
should have been fined three cents, which
would have been sufficient. Instead of being
punished, Mr.. Brooks should have a statue
erected in his honor.
Messrs. Taylor, Stewart, Branch, Houston,
Bowie, Ready, and Florence denied that there
was constitutional jurisdiction in the premi-
SEES. Messrs. Oliver of New York, Kunkel,
Hall of Massachusetts, Donnell, Durfee, Pur-
! Vance, Letter, and Campbell of Pennsylvan-
ia, took the opposite ground.
During the debate, Mr.. Edmunson said he
wished to be heard before the debate closed
Mr.. Campbell of Ohio, said he did not in
tend moving the previous question till every
member, directly or indirectly implicated,
| should be heard.
Mr.. Edmunson of Louisiana obtained the
floor, and at nine o'clock the House adjourn
ed.