Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-01-14
Georgia..

Georgia.
The Legislature of Georgia, under the
last reconstruction dodge of President
GRANT and Congress, assembled at Atlanta
on Monday. The scenes enacted during
the partial organization on that day were
the most exciting and extraordinary ever
known in the organization of Legislative
body in a free government.
Governor Bullock appointed one J. G.
". Mills, rank extremist and a trusty
henchman of the ring" as Secretary pro
tenn of the Senate The first name on the
Senate roll was that of the famous and in
famous negro Aaron Alpeoria Bradley,
from Savannah. This fellow Bradley was
expelled from the Senate last year for
criminal offenses, and since that time was
concerned in the Ogeechee instruction,
and has been hiding in the North to avoid
arrest. Bradley appeared when his name
vas called and was duly sworn in.
Only two Senators were found to be
ineligible, and one of these will qualify,
as he refused to do so under misappre-
tension of his rights.
A negro Senator, Campbell, in pursuance
of plan arranged by the white extremists,
attempted to run off several Senators by
offering protest already printed against
allowing them to take their seats. Much
confusion ensued. Mills refused to enter
tain any motion made by Democrats, who
made strenuous efforts to prevent the re-
ception Of the protest, but were invariably
overruled. Senator Chandler rose and de-
nounced Mills for his partisan conduct.
Mills ordered the Sergeant at-Arms to ar
rest Chandler, and scene of most intense
excitement ensued. BY the interference
of Senators the arrest was not made and
order restored.
The Senate was then organized. by the
election of Benjamin Coniey as President,
the old incumbent and Mills as Secretary,
both Radical extremists. The Democrats
made no efforts to defeat these candidates.
| In the House the excitement was even
greater. Bullock appointed yankee"
Harris, the State Road uperintendent. to
act as Clerk and ''Ring- Master" Here, as
in the Senate, the extremists had gotten, up
printed protest against allowing several
! Democratic members to take their seats.
When the protest was presented, Harris
ordered Attorney General Farrow's opin-
ion on the subject to be read. Mr.. J. E.
Bryant, Republican, opposed the reading.
Harris Immediately ordered his arrest.
Young Blodgett, son of the perjured, Eos
ter Blodgett, volunteered his assistance in
making the arrest. When the Sergeant-at
Arms and Blodgett stepped forward to take
Bryant into custody, scene of the widest
excitement and confusion commenced, and
the House was quickly transformed into
another randemonium. Bryant resisted
arrest, and pistols were drawn. The
! Democratic members rushed to the assist
ance of this fearless Republican and pre-
vented the arrest.
Bryant then obtained the floor and de-
nounced Harris roundly, denying his
right to organize the House. He nomi-
mated Mr.. J. 81. Caldwell to preside over
the House until On organization was per-
fected. The motion was put and carried.
Harris refused to vacate his seat, and the
excitement beginning to increase, Cald-
A member then nominated Bryant as
| Speaker pro tenn. and the motion prevail.
ed. On motion Bryant appointed Com
mittee of three to wait on General Terry
to know if Harris had any authority to or
ganize the House and read Farrow's opin.
ion on the eligibility of members. During
the absence of this Committee, Harris
still refusing to vacate, occupied the
Speakers chair, whilst Bryant sat upon the
top of a table and presided over the House.
General Terry decided that Harris had
power to organize the House, but had no
right to have Farrow's opinion read. Bry-
ant at once yielded his post, and the call
of members proceeded. Before it was com
pleted the House adjourned.
At latest accounts the greatest excite
ment prevailed in Atlanta, and violence
was threatened by the extremists. The
Democrats hold themselves aloof, but will
support Bryant and the Conservative Re-
publicans.
| Such is the situation and the scenes en-
acted in the organization of the Legisla-
ture of Georgia. We have given these
particulars from the Geographic report of
the Augusta Chronicle, to show to what a
condition Radical legislation has brought
| this great State. The most peaceful and
prosperous of the Southern States, Geor-
gia bids fair to become the most lawless
and disturbed. We shall look on the con-
test between Bullock and his legions of
| fellow scoundrels and the good people Of
| the State with interest, trusting that the
L Skofa IN frk~~ a.
Grant and Congress would commit her,