Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-06-04
leaving this exciting and corrup'iug election
to their legislature, keep that body RESPONSE
BILE, as they have hitherto done, to their So
Der judgment. UPPER COUNTRY.
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsuINGroN, May %.
IN SENATE

CUNuHLDplUNhU'
WAsuINGroH, May %.
IN SENATE.
A message was received from the Presi.
dent, returning, with his objections, the bill
making appropriations for the improvement
of 81. Nlary's river, Michigan.
Mr.. Seward submitted resolution that a
committee Of five members be appointed by
the President, pro tem, TO inquire into the
circumstances attending the assault commit.
ted on the person of the Hon. Charles Sum.
ner, member of the Senate, in the Senate
Chamber yesterday; aid that said commit.
tee be instructed to report on the statement
Of facts together with their opinions thereon
10 the Senate.
At the suggestion Of Mr.. Mason, the res.
oluton was amended so as to provide that
the committee he elected by the Senate
whcreupon Messr<. Cass, Allen, Dodge
pcarce and Geyer were elected said com.
miltee.
Mr.. Wilson said: The seat Of my col.
eague is vacant to-day. For the first time
after five years Of public service, that seat is
vacant. Yesterday, after the touching trl.
butte of respect to the memory OF deceased
member OF the House Of Representatives,
The Senate adjourned. My colleague re.
mained in his Seat engaged in his public du.
ties, while thus engaged, with Il pen in his
hand, setting in a position which rendered him
utterly incapable Of protecting or defending
hin self. Mr. Preston S. Brooks, y member
of the House of Representatives, approached
him unobserved, and abruptly addressed him.
Looking up, and before he had time 10 utter
Il single word in reply, he received stun.
ming blow upon the head from cane in the
hands OF Mr.. Brouks, which made him al.
most selIselcss and unconscious.
Endeavo!ing, however, to protect himself,
in rising from his chair desk was overthrowu,
and while in that poweress position he was
beaten upon the head and shoulders by re,
pca,ed blows, until he sunk upon the floor of
the Senate, exhausted, unconscious, and COW
cred with his own blood. He was raised
from the floor by few friends and taken
into the ante.room, and had lis wounds
dressed and then carried to his home and
placed upon his bed. lie is now unable to
b.. with Us to-day aud to- perform the duties
which belong 10 him as member OF this
body. TO assail member of the Senate
for words spoken in the debate, and out o
this chamber, is great offence, not only
against the rights of a member, but the con
sritulional privileges Of this body; but sir
to come into this chamber and assault 8
member in his seat until Rs falls exhausted
upon the floor, is al o!ftace requiring the
prompt action Of his body.
Sir, submit. no motion. leave it t
older Senators, whose character and position
in this Senate, and before the country, emf
nentIy fit them to take tic lead in measure:
10 redress the wrongs Of Il member Of thi'
body, and viudicate the honor and dignity o
the Senate.
Mr.. Stewart gave notice that he should
at al early day, ask leave to submit al
amendment to the rules Of the Senate, Ge
claring it out Of order for any Senator il
debate 10 use language rejecting upon TIE
conduct or motives Of any other Senator
discourteously, Or improperly rrticc:ing upor
the action oil IL State other than the one re
presented by the Senator speaking.
\ large number OF priratr bills were con
zidcrcd and passed, after which the Senate
adjourned Until Monday next.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Washburne, of Maine, from the COM
mittee on Elections, reported 4 resolution
/ that james G.. Allen, Of illinois, is not, ant
William B. Archer is euliiled 10 the sea-
now held by the losmer. MIR. Stephens ha:
prepared minority report.
The consideration of the subject wa:
postponed till The month Of June.
Mr.. ChampbeIl, of Ohio, rising to ques
ton of privilege, offered the following:
Whereas on the 22d of May the Hon
Preston s. Brooks, and Hon. Lawrence NJ
keilt, memi,ers of this House from Suult
Carolina, and other members, either as prin
crpals or accessories, perpetrated violen
assault on the person ol Hon. Charles Sum
ner, Senator oil The United States from Mas
sachuse,ts, while remaining in bis seat i'll th'
Senate Chamber, and while in the perIor
nance of the duties apprrtaining to his oHi
cial station. Therefore,
ReSolrcd, That Il select committee o
five members be appointed BY the Speake
to iuves iyate the subject aud report The fact,
with such resolution in reference thereto IL
in their judgment may be proper and neces
sary for the vindcation of the character o
this House, and that said committee have
power to send for persons and papers, ant
and employ a clerk and sit during the session
of the House.
4 a debate ensucd upon point of order.
Mr.. Smith, of Virginia, suggested to MIR
Campbell the proprie'y of striking out the
preamble. 1t assumed as fact that which
could only be ascerained us such on exam
iuation. MIR. Champbe!l was willing tc
modify the preamble, which he did, to read
-" Whereas, it is represented, &c" II
was, he said, due to the House and all par
lies, that facts should be presented in some
authentic form, aud could only be done fully
and fairly through the committee.
MIR. Cliuyman said he was not satisfied
with the statement in the preamble, that il
was gross falsehood, but he did not mean
that Mr.. Campbell had Intentionally made