The Van Buren press., 1869-01-26

| January llth.
Senate convened at the usual hour.
Lieutenant Governor presiding.
Sarber gave notice that he would, at
an early day, introduce an act requiring
the laws passed BY the General Assembly
to be published in one newspaper in each
Judicial District.
Beldin, from the Committee on Print
ing, made motion that the committee
be empowered to send for persons and
papers. Adopted.
January llth, 1863.
A quorum was announced present by
the Speaker. A message from the Senate
announced the passage by that body of
House bill to regulate municipal elections
Owen presented a petition from citizens
of Benton county praying for the cree
ton of new county out Of the Western
portion. Referred to Committee on Coun
ty and County lines ...
The Clerk read petition from citizens
Of Jefferson praying that no division of
that County be made, Similarly referred
A petition signed by II. S, Anderson
and go other members of the Grant and
Collax Club of Crawford county was
presented, praying for the removal of the
disabilities of the following named per-
sons: ...
Augustus J. Ward, James H. Stuart,
| Hiram Brodie, Robt C. Hathaway, Gran
Vile Wilcox, Michael Lynch, Jesse Turner
Richard Thruston, Leonard G. South
mayd, Hugh +. Thomson, James II.
Woods, Rev. Jno Harrell, Samuel VI.
Hays, William b. Mooney, Davidson
Dickson, E. g, Whitesides, John b. Og-
den, George N. Brodie, and Hays Brown
| field
January 14th, 1869
Under the head of unfinished business,
Wilson's substitute for the resolution
Of thanks to Catterson and his men was
taken up.
Smith Of Columbia, took the floor,
sustaining the substitute He objected
to the passage in the original resolution
that the declaration Of martial law was
"a logical deduction of the necessity and
expediency Of martial law etc. This
house had once unanimously endorsed
the action of the Governor in declaring
martial law in eleven counties, lie
thought that sufficient. After the con-
vening of this body the Governor had
declared martial law in Conway county
without consulting this body. He thought
it time to conform to the provisions of
the Constitution. He adverted to the
condition of affairs in his own county.
Smith read from the Governors Mes
sage
: In Columbia county, the people were
advised, publicly, to force the registrars
to place their names on the registration
book, and if the tax COLLECTOR should
come to their houses, to send them out
feet foremost. Five men were killed in
ten days--three Of them killed in the field
and rolled into one hole; Aaron Hicks
killed. cause-being union man No
fair registration, armed forces of ku.klux
riding through the country; the sheriff
| resisted"
Two men from an adjacent county did
so advise, but the people, the Democrats
themselves, did not thank them for it and
did not heed the advice. The assess
ments had been duly made and there was
no blame resting on the people on rnat
score. The charge about five men being
killed was untrue He had heard of three
being killed, but it was over the line of
Lafayette county, or near it--said to have
been done by Bakers band of outlaws,
and the people should not be held re
sponsible. Aaron Hicks had been killed,
but it was at general row at barbecue,
and the deceased was not the man intend.
ed by the person who murdered him. SO
both parties said He was good negro
and all regretted it. The other points
were substantially denied.
Catterson frequently interrupted He
asked if any attempt had been made to
arrest the murderers, and desired the
speaker TO state whether or not the sher-
lit had asked for assistance from the citi-
zens and if it was refused and further,
whether on the Monday following the
murder of Hicks, the murderers did not
enter the place armed and publicly declare
that they were the men, and defy arrest.
He had his formation from such men
as DR.. Archer, Judge Hicks, the sheriff
and clerk Of the county
Smith--rhat is precisely the source OF
my information"
The sheriff had asked assistance and
got it, and pursued the gang to within six
miles of the Louisiana line.
Catterson--" They did not get them "
Smith =" You did not get them either.
The speaker proceeded to state that he
could get 500 white union men in Column.
bia county at any time to preserve the
peace. They had not needed any militia
lie had so advised the Governor He
read from the Constitution concerning
the rights of personal property and OF
keeping arms for self defense, which had
been grossly violated by the militia b.
had helped to make the Constitution and
he now desired to have it respected
Adjourned until morrow Smith still
being entitled to the floor.