The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-03-09
How Brooks

Washington, D. C.-The only as
sault in the senate in which blow.
we're administered was in the thirty
fourth congress on the 22d of May
1886. when Preston c. Brooks of Soutf
Carolina assaulted Senator Charlie.
: Sumner of Massachusetts,. Sumner
had few days previous made d
speech favoring the admission of Kan
/ sas as a state under constitution
/ prohibiting slavery. The speech pro-
/ duced the most intense political ex-
element over the land, more espec-
/ tally so in the south.
/ On the 22d the senate adjourned in
( consequence of the announcement of
/ the death of Mr.. Miller of Missouri
/ Nj Sumner remained at his desk in
/ the senate chamber writing when he
( was approached by Preston S. Brooks
/ and L. NJ. keitt. congressman from
/ South Carolina. each carrying a cane.
| Brooks walked up to where Sumner
{ sat and said.
Mr.. Sumner have read your speech
carefully, and with as much calmness
as I could be expected to read such a
/ speech. You have libeIed my state and
slandered my relative who is aged and
absent. and 7 feel it TO be my duty to
/ punish you for it,.
" 'NAtt-AN fcAtNAAlN ANl dAAN AEDAN VI
asking for any explanation Brooks in
stantly struck Mr.. Sumner a violent
/ blow on the top of his bare head. Il
was followed with a succession of
blows, all dealt with herculean
strength. Mr.. Wilson. his colleague.
afterward vice president. rushed into
the senate on hearing of the attack.
but found Mr. Sumner had been re-
moved to the vice presidents room in
deplorable condition. There were
frightful cuts on his head and his
clothing was covered with blood
On the ensuing day the outrage was
brought to the attention of the senate
by Mr. Wilson, who said: The seat
of my colleague is vacant TODAY. For
the first time. after five years of pub
Tic service, that seat is vacant. YeStpr-
day after the touching tribute of re-
Spect 10 the memory OF Mr.. Miller OF
missouri, deceased member of the
house of representatives. the senate ad-
Journed. MY colleague remained IN
his seat, engaged in public duties.
While thus engaged. with pen in hand
and in a position which rendered him
utterly incapable of protection. or de-
Tending himself Mr. Preston :. Brooks
member Of the house from South
carolina. approached him unobserved
ana abruptly addressed him. Looking
up. and before he had time to utter a
single word in reply % him ne received
4 stunning blow on the head from the
cane in the hands of Mr.. Brooks. which
made him almost Senseless and uncon-
scious, endeavorinE. however. to pro-
tect himself. in Eising from his chair
ms desk was overthrow and while in
that pOWerleSs condition lie was beat
en- on the head and shoulders by re-
peated blows from Mr.. Brooks. until he
sank upon the floor of the senate. m
conscious, exhausted and covered with
his own blood. He was raised from
the floor by few friends. taken into
an anteroOm and his wounds dressed.
from thence he was taken 10 his house
and placed upon his bed. he is thus
unable To he with Us today. 10 perform
the duties which belong 10 him as
member OF this body. To hold a mem
Der Of the senate responsible ont OF
this chamber for words uttered I'm de-
bate IS grave Offense. not only
against the. rights of member. but
against the constitutional privileges of
mis- body but, sir. TO come into this
chamber and assault a member in his
seat until he falls exhausted uDon the
hoor- Is an OfenSe requiring the prompt
action of this body. Sir. I submit no
notion leave it to older senators.
whose character and position in the
senate, and before the country. emil
nently ut them to take the lead in a
measure TO redress the wrongs of
members of this body, and vindicate
the honor and dignity of the senate"
a committee Of investigation was ap-
pointed
In due time the committee of investi-
cation made report but the only ac- [
tion taken by that body was TO trans 4
init a message to the house. complain /
ing that Mr. Brooks. one of its mem J
oers, had made a violent assault on /
Senator Sumner, but that, as Mr..