Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-06-05
From Washington.

In the Senate, on the 2slh, Mr.. Pearce from
the Sc eel committee to investigate the facts at
tending the recent assault ON Mr.. Sumner, re-
ported in writing. The report states that prece
.iculs are only to be found in the action of the
iouse of Representatives,, the Senate never
having been called upon 10 pronounce Judgment
in similar case. Several precedenis are cited,
and the committee come to the conclusion that,
although the assault was violation of the priv.
ileges of the Senate it is not within their jurs-
dicion, and the ofense can only be punished by
the House, of which Mr.. Brooks is member.
This conclusion, the report continues, is in strict
conformity with parliamentary law, and the re-
qulrelnenls of the Constitution therefore the
committee recommend the Senate to make com
plant to the House With this report the com.
mttee submit a resolution, that said report be ac-
cep,ed by the Senate, and copy of the same
with the accompanying affidavlis, be transmitted
to the House of Representatives.
The resolution was adopted, Mr.. Toombs o!
Georgia, acne voting against IT,
In the House. on the 29ih, message was re
ceived from the President notifying Congress of
the dismissal of Mr.. Champion, and transmitlir G
documents, being the same that were sent TO the
Senate.
MIR. Grow, representing the majority of the
Committee on Territories, made report plopos-
ing to admit Kansas into the Union with the To-
peka constitution. Consideration was postponed
till the 25th of June.
Mr. Brooks sent challenge to Senator Viii
son, who refused to meet him.
On Friday MIR Brooks threatened to assault,
Mr.. Chafee, saying that he wanted "to mh,p d
feW more Massachusetts men - and MIR. Chatfee
replied " If that is your purpose, you may a.
well begin on me. and ii is no matter whether
said anything Of you or not TO which
Brooks is reported to have answered " No, d.
you, you can 60 along"
Mr. Wad, and Mr.. Wilson denounced the
outrage on Mr.. Sumner in unmistakahle Ian
guage. They had To do It under cloud of in
tImations, both before and afterwards, of person
al outrage and violence. he threats we're s,
distinct that GFn. Wilson was escorted to tn,
cars by a body of armed friends He has gon,
to Trenton 10 speak. HE
The statement of DR.. Bunting, of Montreal
who was 10 tn" Galery of the Senate Chambe
at The time of the assault upon Sumner, throw
some additional light upon the affair He saw
Mr. Brooks approach MIR. Simmer, not in front
but on one side, address him some words in
ow tone of voice, and the moment Mr. Sumne
raised his head, turning it one side 10 listen {,
MIR. Brooks, the latter struck him numerou
bows, with the greatest rapidity, with can
about three quarters of an inch in diameter lay
ing bare his skull with wounds from three to fiy
inches long. Mr. Sumner struggled severa
times In rise from his seat, but was evidently 8
much hemmed in as TO be utterly Incapable q
rising until he had by great effort tqrn the DIES
from lis fas,enings, and then pitched forward in
sensible upon the floor.
While this assault was progre sing. Mr.. Ke
stood with one hand nouishing large cane
keep off any person disposed to interfere, an
, 10Th the other hand holding pistol behind hU
partially under the flap Of has coat, bu, whic
DR., Bunting saw very distinctly pr, jecting fro,
: between the flaps of his coat. DR.. b. was et
abed TO see this very clearly from his position
: The Gallery, directly above the actors in III
: scene. During the attack, Senator Dougls
stood within five feet of Mr. Sumner. in fire
and easy position, with both hands in his pocl
cts his hat on, and making no move toward tn
assailant
DIR. Bunting shaved off part of Mr. Sun
nerls hair. drew the lips of the wound togetht
! with sticking plaster, but they were not sewe
, up until Mr.. Sumner was taken home.