The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-14

One of the most exciting scenes ever
enacted In the United States Senate
WAS the. assault OF Charles Sumner, OF
Massachusetts, by Preston Brooks. 4
member of the House of Representa-
tivcs, In 1856 The attack grew out of
the violent slavery agitation of the
period. sumner had made a powerful
speech Oh The Crime OF Kansas" In
which he Went out OF his way To abuse
certain Senators whom no did not like.
especially Senator Butler OF South
Carolina who was ut the time absent
from the city, ana who had made no
special personal attack on sumner
BROOKE was Il relative of Butler ami
resented the imputations made against
him. lie las in walt for Sumner for
an hour or more at the penns ylvania
Avenue approach TO the Capitol on the
dry following the intiammatory speech,
but Sumner had gone In another way
and he missed him. Tho following
day the Senate had only 4 short SEES.
sion. ndjcurning at 1886. Sumner re-
maiurd In his seat ITo was leaning
over his desk busily engaged In writ
tng when Brooks approached from the
rear Tho Senator had not noticed his
presence until he heard some one call
his name. when, looking up. he caught
the words;
carefully, II is n libel on South Car
oilna and Mr.. Butler. who Is 4 relative
OF mine"-aad while no was sttll
speaking and apparently without an
ishinS the sentence the tall, power
fully built stranger raised n heavy
cane and struck him with all his force
over the head. Sumner threw up his
arms and endeavored to protect him
self, but the fEsL. blow blinded him,
and brooks confihuGt 10 rain blow ar
ter blow as Hard and as fast rs he
could.
Finally Sumner fell bleeding and
senseless Ia the floor. Brooks's arm
was stayed 81 last. and he was forced
away from Sumner. The wounds OF
ths Senator were dressed by a physi-
clan hastily summoned. and he was
removed 20 his room stiil only parity
conscious. So great were his injuries
that he did not fully recover for four
years; and. indeed, never after this
assault was he the powerful robust
athlete that he had been before The
physical condition OF Sumner and the
/. masses or his fun head OF hair which
he wore long III the time, probably
saved his life.
The following day the AFFAIR was
taken up by the Senate. and a commit
tee was appointed TO mako an invest.
cation. They reported that tho Senate
had no power To arrest or punish q
member OF the House. and that all they
could DO was TO complain TO that body
In the House on the Same day a com.
mlttee was appointed to make Il no.
port in order TO Vindicate that hody
This committee called for the cxpul.
nion. Of Brooks, but 1t was voted down
Thereupon Brooks arose and said thai
ne was no longer member OF til,
House, having already placed his res
isnat!on In the hands OF the Governor
OF his state 10 take effect when n,
announced IL himself IN Congress. u,
this means he prevented any further
action taken against him by tho House
Brooks was promptly Reelected
however, and was back in the Hous,
within few days. The criminal nun
ishment inflicted was hardly less :
farce Sumner filed complaint agains
Brooks, and he was indicted by a pran,
jury. He appeared in Washington n
court attended by coterie of South
ern friends. admitted the assault an,
justified himself In Il speech likeninl
himself 10 husbands who defend thei