Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-23
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF BROOKS FOR ASSAULT.
 ING SUMNER.

One of the most exciting scenes ever enacted in the United States sen- ate was the assault of Charles Sumner of Massachusetts by Preston Brooks, a member of the house of representa- tiyes. in 1858. The attack grew out of the violent slavery agitation of the period. Sumner had made a powerful speech on '"rhe Crime of Kansas" in which he went out of his way to abuse certain senators whom he did not like, especially Senator Butler of South Carolina, who was at the time absent from the city and who had made no special attack on Sumner.
 Brooks was a relative of Butler and resented the imputations made against him. He lay in wait for Sumner for an hour or more at the Pennsylvania avenue approach to the capitol on the day following the infiammatory speech but Sumner had gone in another way and he missed him. The following day the senate had only 2 short ses- remained in his seat. He was leaning over his desk busily engaged in writ ing when Brooks approached from the rear. The senator had not noticed his presence until he heard some one call his name, when,s looking up, he caught the words:
 T have read your speech over twice carefully; it is a libel on South Car olina and Mr. Butler, who Is a relative of mine'-and while he was still speaking and apparently without fin fully built stranger raised heavy cane and struck him with all his force over the head. Sumner threw up his arms and endeayored to protect him. self, but the first blow blinded him and Brooks continued to rain blow after blow as hard and as fast as he could.
 Finally Sumner fell bleeding and senseless to the floor. Brooks arm was stayed at last and he was forced the senator were dressed by a physi- clan hastily summoned and he was removed to his room still only partly conscious. So great were his injuries that he did not fully recover for four years; and. indeed. never after this athlete that he had been before The physical condition of Sumner and the masses of his full head of hair, which he wore long at the time. probably saved his life.
 The following day the affair was taken up by the senate and a com mittee was appointed to make an in yestigatfon. They reported that the senate had no power to arrest or pun ish a member of the house and that that body.
 In the house on the same day a committee was appointed to make a report in order to vindicate that body. This eommittee called for the expul- sion of Brooks. but it was voted down. he was no longer a member of the house, having already placed his resignation in the hands of the gov ernor of his state, to take enect when he announced 1t himself in congress By this means he prevented further
 Brooks was promptly reelected, however, and was hack in the house within few days. The criminal punishment inflicted was hardly less against Brooks and he was indicted by a grand jury. He appeared in Washington at court attended by a coterie of southern friends. admitted the assault and justified himself in a speech likening himself to husbands judge fined him $500 and discharged him without imprisonment Sumner took no part in the prosecution, ex- eept when subpoenaed to appear and testify before the grand jury.
 Sumner disclaimed all responsibility for the trial realizing that any pun ishment would be inadequate for the injuries he had received.
 During Summers long years of suf- | fering following the attack it is said tnat ne never SP0ke unklndty or l Brooks. It is related that years after, when one day walking in the con- gressional cemetery at Washington, Summers companion, George William Curtis, called his attention to -ceno- l taph of Brooks which Sumner had not before noticed, his only remark was; Poor fellow. Poor fellow!" To | the question then asked by Curtis 1 How do you feel about Brooks" he 1 replied: "Only as to brick that
 should fail upon your head from a ! chimney. He was the unconscious
 agent of another power,Y