Past Scandals of America Tuesdays: PSATs.

One of the most only violent episodes in senate history took place in 1856. The scene? A dimly lit-old senate chamber, in which Preston S. Brooks, a representative and a fierce carrier of a walking cane, was pissed off. He had vowed to get vengeance of Charles Sumner of Massachusetts. (See, back in the ye olde days, they were all about avenging.

The back story is Charlie Sumner gave a speech against slavery insinuating something about Brooks' cousin and whatever and


BOOM!

Preston S. Brooks is on top of Charlie Sumner, and not in the fun way.
More in the caning way.

Now, keep in mind that this is 1856. This was no plastic, or marble, jewel-encrusted pimp cane. It was wood. We're going to guess that you most likely live in the 21st century (unless The Alexander Hamilton Project is the only thing extraterrestrials have to study human life. In that case, hi!) You might not never have seen a wooden cane. But just trust us: cylinders that splinter as they hit you? They hurt.

They eventually pulled Mr. Brooks off, but not before rendering Sumner unconcious.

Most people consider this a precourser to the Civil War. (T)AHP also consider this amusing.