Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-05-28
Thirty-Fourth Congress--Tirst sess.
TIE BEATING OF SUMNER.

WASHINGTON My 23-SENATE.-Mr. Will
son and sad-'fhe seat of my colleague is
vacant to-day. For the first time after five years
of public service that seat is vacant. Yesterday
after the touching tribute Of respect to the mem
DRY of Mr.. Miller of Missouri, deceased mem
Der OF the House of Representatives, the Senate
adjourned. My colleague remained in his seat
engaged in public duties. While thus engaged.
with his pen in hand, and in position which rem
dered him utterly incapable Of protecting de.
Tending himself, Mr. Preston S. Brooks. Il mem
Der of the House from South Carolina, approached
him unobserved and abruptly addressed him
Looking up aud before he had time TO utter IA
single word in reply to him. he received a stun
ming blow upon the head from the cane in the
hands of Mr.. Brooks, which made HIM almost
senseless and unconscious. Endeavoring, how
ever TO protect himself, in rising from his chair
his desk was overthrow, and while in that pow
erless condition he was beaten upon the head
and shoulders, by repeated blows from Mr..
Brooks, until he sunk upon the floor of the Sen
ate exhausted, unconscious, and covered with his
own blood. He was raised from the floor by
few friends, taken into an ante room, and his
wounds dressed; from thence he was carried to
his house, and placed upon his bed. He is thus
unable to be with us to. day, to perform the du
ties which belong to him as member of this
body. To nssail member of the Senate. for
words spoken in debate out of this chamber, is a
grave ouenCes Hut onlV against tnt rights Oh u
member. but against the constitutional privileges
of this body; but. sir, to into this chamber
and assault member in his seat until he falls
| exhausted upon this floor is offence requiring
the prompt action Of this body Sir, submit no
motion leave it to older Senators, whose char-
acter and position in the Senate and before the
country emnenty fit them TO take the lead in
measures to redress the wrongs of members of
this body, and vndcate the honor and dignity of
the Senate.
Mr.. Seward submitted resolution that Com
mittee of five Members be appointed by the Presi-
dent pro. tem to inquire into the circumstances
attending the assault committed on the person of
the Hon. Charles Sumner, Member of the Sen,
ate, in the Senate chamber yesterday and that
said Committee be instructed to report state
ment of the facts. together with their opinion
thereon. to the Senate.
On suggestion of Mr.. Mason, the resolution
was amended that the Committee should be
elected by the Senate. declaring out Of order any
| Senator who in debate should use language re.
| fectng upon the conduct and motives Of any
| other Senator, discourteously or improperly re
heetng upon the action of Il State other than the
| one represented by the Senator speaking.
| large number of private bills were then
| passed. and the Senate adjourned
| HOUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr. Washburne. lMe.} from the Committee ON
| Elections, reporteda resolution that James c.
Allen. of Illinois is not. and that WIN. b. Arch.
or is entitled to the seat now held by the former.
Mr.. Stephens of the same Committee. has pre-
pared minority report.