Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-07-18

from the Senate, charging mat The privileges
Of the Senate had been violated by a mem
her Of thi body, in this assault on tho person
Of Senator Of Massachusetts. The testi-
monv on the subject is full, and the facts as
stated in the report Of a majority OF the com
mittee are not controyerted by the minority.
That A violent assault was committed is es-
tablshed beyond doubt He claimed that
the House has full power to protect its purl~
" and dignity, az recommended by the ma
lorlty of the committee.
Mr.. Clingman said this matter had produ-
ced great excitement IN the country. lie
had not been here many years, and yet he
had seen much stronger causes Of fight than
this when the House was IN session. He
recapltuated those personal encounters, re-
marking that the House did not take action
on any Of them. HIS object was to show
that the occurrence now under consideration
was sought to be magniied, with view to
make political capital A certain party,
thinking their sands OF life are running out
want to get up great excitement. There
was nothing to justify 1t.
lie thought the argument Of the minority
Of the COMMITTEES took the proper ground
lie commended that no breach Of privilege
had been committed by MIR. Brooks Were
he 10 speak Of Summers speech ~ It's char
acter deserved, he would have to adopt
collection Of coarse and offensive express
slons az Franklin says without sublecting
himself 10 be called to account Men of
courage are rarely abusive, but those who
alsliy are generally towards.
lie believed NJ Sumner was closely ident-
fled with the Garrison and Phillips school,
and was for disunion. If the Senator want
cd 90 degrade the country and the Senate he
al nd an la rn
ciusion Mr.. Clngmsn SAID there was moth
ing 10 the assault 10 justify the Indignation
OF the country. 1t was not matter for the
House 20 interfere with, aud ought TO be Jeff
to the Judicial tribunal
Mr. Bpgham OF Ohio submitted 10 the
House that while Mr.. Chngman ieclured
members as to the propriety Of their conduct,
be INDUCED IN tho most gross and outrage
Gus personal abuse which could fall from the
lips Of any man. Who constituted Mr..
Cungmsna Censor Of the distinguished gen.
temsn Of Massachusetts : Freedom Of
speech IL d part of government, and on
the maintenance OF this great principle de
ponds the life Of A State Without lts OBJ
seryauce there could be 90 Tree State and 90
free people. Tins case involved more than
an assault and battery. IL involved guilty
violation OF the Representative privilege,
and contempt and crime against the great
principle of free speech. NO civil tribunal
hls cognI.ance over this House. Justice
Story, when speaking OF the privileges Of the
Two Houses, SAYS;
These privileges are the rights and priv
ileges of their constituents" Yet gentlemen
here represent tins an ordinary case of as
sault and battery. M Brooks violated that
Consutut on he had sworn 10 support that
Constitution which protects A Senator in the
freedom of speech and debate, The Senator
belrg beaten aud leit dripping va blood for
having denounced tyranny aud slavery --the
SUN vi all Wllanles, which makes mefchand-
i,e of morality he was ieIied and made 90
bleed. A bludgo0n was Used, the weapon
Of q barbsrous age. The instrument was 90
perfect keeping with the act
Alr. Brooks expressed hls qualification that
Mr.. bingham had discamed personal
unkindness ana asked him whethe, he On
derstood him az saying that he Mr. Brooke
was guilty Of mora turpHude or perjury.
NJ Bingham That consideration never
entered into my head.
Mr. Brooks rephed-Altogether satistsc-
tory.
Mr. Orr quoted the testimony Of DR.. Boyle
to show that the physical condition OF Mr..
Sumner had been misrupresented for polti-
pending case was no, question Of privilege
Adjourned.
THURSDAY, July 10.
SENArE.-The Senate made sundry a.
meudments to the Indian Appropriation Bill
The bail was passed.
Mr. Mason. from the Committee on For
eigu relations reported bill 10 amend the
act Of last session. 10 remodel the diplomatic
aud CONSULAR system, which was made the
special order for MONDAY next The punci.
clpll chsnges proposed are, making he sala-
~ of the Minister to France the same Ms
England, 1850; raising Austria TO full
mission, with $4,000 salary; making the
salary Of tho sandwich Islands mission
5000 allowing the Ministers to France and
England each clerk, al salary Of $3.50
"a year,
The blIl to promote the efficiency Of the
Navy was taken up. Several amendments
were made, including the striking out OF the
section reylyiug the grade Of Admiral.
Adjourned.
HousE.--The House took up Mr. Balrs
resolution appointing select committee 10
inquire into the SUBJECT of alleged frauds iu
constructing public bu'ld'ugs
Ar. Alcou remarked that the resolution
charge Improper conduct upon the officers
of the Treasury. Tie was authorized To say
that Secretary Guthrie will shrink from 40
investigation, and he DOUBTED not that the m
NOR would turn out a sianlerous political
fasehood.
Mr.. Ball replied that there was no insnu-
alton IN the resolution against Mr.. Gnhue
The preamble thereto enbodes ao affidavit
rejecting on ce tam officers, and this Is the
basis Of the proposed inquiry.
After debate the resolution was passed.
Messrs. Ball. Bennett, Burnett, King and
Cadwalader we're appointed on lie Commit.
tee
The consideration Of the report Of the
Committee relative to the Brooks assault on
Sumner WAS resumed.
Mr. Comlns Of Massachusetts SAID he had
heard no terms Of condemnation Of the AS.
suult which did Injustice 10 the perpetfator.
In contemplating the report Of the Commit.
lee, aud The issue involved, all local poliu.
col, or personal feelings sank INTO nsignih-
canoe. He asked not sympathy for Mr..
Sumner nor wndioauon oil Massachusetts,
but mpored every member who loved peace
quiet and old der, To JON as one man, and roll
back the tide of rutan violence which wus
becoming prominent, prevalent and arrogant.
The murderOus blow which ieiied Sumner
fell not on Massachusetts more than any
other State The Slave power having failed
to sustain itself IN Intellectual conflict, re-
sorted TO brute force, and with bludgeon
beat freedom over the head The slave pow
er has lramped the Constitution in the dust
There is very little more for the gentleman
from Georgia Mr. Cobb to do than to draw
marginal black lines around II and write the
word "expunge across its face. In his re-
matks, Mr. Comings alluded TO the mission
to South Carolina Of Samuel Hoar.
Mr.. Aiken of South Carolina interrupted,
pronouncing on his own responsibility one of
Mr.. Comings' statements to be false. This
produced some confusion.
Mr.. Letcher of Va. rose to q question Of
nrder That what NAV hive occnrred nm South