Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-07-13
From the Little Rock Gazette.
 General Assembly of Arkansas.

Below we give the proceedings of q meeting of members of the general as- sembly of the State of Arkansas, who were present at the capital, yesterday, to organize both houses and proceed to business, in accordance with the pro- visions of joint resolution passed at the last session. The opinion of the attorney general of the United States as to the powers of district command CTS, justified this course of action; and the members have entered their pro- test against the exercise of the militia ry power which forbids their reassem- bling, and assert their right to hold a session whenever such power shall cease to interfere. We understand that Hon. c. c. Farrclly, one of the lower house from this county, declined to act with the other members present in this city:
 On the eighth day of July, 1867, the day fixed by joint resolution of the general assembly of the State of Ark ansas, for the meeting of the two houses.) the following members of the senate and house of representatives, convened in Little Rock, to-wit: Hon. UHOs h. CllOWS3 VI buC sNhatSs ois Hons. Jno. R. Eakin, k. C.. Newton, F. J. Cameron and B. $. Medlock, of the house of representatives. Whereupon, previous to entering upon any business, ill order to pre- serve the peace and avoid unnecessary conflict with the military authority of the government of the United States, the following communication was ad- dressed to General Smith commanding sub-district of Arkansas:
 LITTLE ROCK, ARK.,(
 July s, 1867, 10 o'clock A. M.} GENERAL:
 The general assembly of this State, at it's winter session, adjourned to re- convene on the Sth of July.
 Since the adjournment an order was issued from the commanding general of this district, forbidding it to rcas- semble.
 Subsequent to this order the attor- ncy general of the Uuitcd States has published an opinion declaring that military officers are not authorized to vacate civil offices, except upon trial and conviction of occupants.
 The undersigned members of the general assembly of Arkansas, respect fully desire to know whether the as scmbling of the legislature will be pre- vented by you, as military commander of this State, should it's members at- tempt to convene according to ad- i journment.
 There is much unfinished business materially affecting the interests of citizens, which they deem it their duty to complete. They do not desire any conflict however with military force nor any breach of the peace; ; inasmuch as the legislature is mere civil body, with no power of resistance.
 Hence we have deemed it advisable, in behalf of the senate and house of representatives, which branches res- pectively of the general assembly it is our duty to keep alive by adjournment from day to day, and by sending for absent members, until quorum may be had: to ascertain from you if our pacific efforts to that end would call forth military interference.
 If convenient, an answer is request ed by twelve o'clock Meridian, the hoar fixed for meeting.
 Respectfully,
 JOHN R. FELLOWS,
 Senator 22d dist.
 JOHN R. EAKIN, Rep. Hampstead Co.
 F. J. CAMERON,
 Rep, Dallas Co.
 E. $. MEDLOCK,
 Rep. Saline Co.
 R. C. NEWTON,
 Rep. Pulaski Co. Brev't Brig. Gen. C. H. smith, Commanding, &c., Headquarters. Which communication was shortly returned, with the following endorse ment:
 HEADQUARTERS SUB-DIsT OF ARK.) Little Rock, Ark. July s, 1867. { Respectfully returned. In the ab- sencc of other instructions. The order of Brev't MAjor General Ord, commanding 4th military district, forbidding the rcassembling of the legislature of Arkansas, will certainly be enforced.
 By command of Brev't Brig. Gen. C.. H. Smith.
 SAMUEL NJ. MILLS,
 et I ;apt A diutant oSth Inf