Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-05-07

In 1000, previous 10 the passage OF
the reconstruction act, the Legislature
OF Arkansas assembled in what became
known as the rebel session. Expecting
trouble, the "rebel session" adjoined in
March. with view of meeting again
the LIST of May. In the meantime, Gen.
Ord received instructions to prohibit
the reassembling of the men who, under
the Constitution of the United States,
had no right to enact laws. Nearly all
OF the members yielded to the military
mandamus, but few headstrong
statesmen, knowing that the country
demanded their services, convened up
on the arrival of the proper time. The
State House was surrounded by sol
diers, but the determined Legislature
met in Gen. Newton's law Office. John
X. Fellows, now prominent lawyer
of New York and Assistant District
Attorney of that city, was the only
Senator present. Entering the little
room set apart for the Senate, Mr.. Fell
lows took his place behind desk, struck
the board with horseshoe and said:
"The Senate will come to order.
AS the chaplain is not present, Mr..
Fellows, you will please offer prayer.
Then Mr.. Fellows prayed
"Mr. Fellows" said Mr.. Fellows,
will you please act as Sergeant-at-
arms?"
"Yes, sir" answered himself.
Gas the Secretary is not present, Mr..
Fellows, you will have to discharge the
duties of that officer"
"All right, SIR"
Read the proceedings of the last
days session"
Mr.. Fellows read and then moved
that the journal stand approved.
"Mr. President" said Mr.. Fellows,
II see that the janitor is not present.
We need a bucket of fresh water"
"Mr. Fellows" said Mr.. Fellows, II
will appoint you to discharge the duties
of Janitor."
Mr.. Fellows brought bucket of
water.
"NOw, gentlemen, we are ready for
business"
Just then some one looked in and said.
"Come on, John, and let's get drink"
Second the notion" said Mr.. Eel
lows, and then turning with the gravity
for which he is noted, continued:
"It is moved and seconded that the
Senate adjourn and take drink. All
in favor of the motion will say aye"
"Ayep
Contrary, no."
"The ayes have it and the Senate will
adjourn"
A few minutes later the Senate was
again eollod to order and che transaotion
of business begun in regular form.
ha 90 he l.
that the Legislature had met in viola
ton of his orders, sent file of soldiers
with orders to arrest the members and
to bring them to headquarters. The
lower house. consisting of five members,
had adjourned when the soldiers ar
rived, but the Senate was still in ses-
sion, deep in q discussion pending the
passage of bill amending the revenue
laws of the State. Mr.. Fellows was
arrested and taken before Gen. Ord.
"Who are you, sir?" asked the
General.
"The Senate of Arkansas.
"a member of the rebel Legislature,
ell, Captain? Where are the other
members?"
"This was the only one We found,
General. He was assembled and or
ganized himself into the Senate, and
was discussing bill when we arrested
"Have you got the billP"
Eyes, sir, here it is" producing the
document.
The General, after reading the bill,
said: "A very good idea, Mr.. Senate.
Now, sir, what is your opinion; do you
think it would have passed?"
II think that its chances were good"
replied Mr.. Fellows.
you are no doubt a wise legislator.
BY the way, Mr.. Senate, do you ever
drink anything?"
Mr.. Fellows said that his most init
mate friends had known him to drink.
Captain" said the General, pull
out that jug. Drink, sir, and then we
will go down and pass the bill"
Several years afterward, when re-
construction had been effected, Eel
lows bill was taken up, passed without
trouble, and is now law.-Opie p. Read,
IN NelC York Mercury.