The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-05-07

A Solitary Senate.
In 1866, previous to the passage OF
the reconstruction act, the Legislature
ofArkansas assembled in what became
known as the rebel session. Expecting
trouble, the "rebel session" adjoined in
March. with o 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 q 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 q 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.. Eel
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 aprayer.
Then Mr.. Fellows prayed.
4Mr. Fellows" said Mr.. Fellows,
will you please act as Sergeant-at-
arms?'
"Yes, sir, answered himself.
"As 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,
Il see that the janitor is not present.
We need bucket of fresh water"
MIR. Fellows" said Mr.. Fellows, Il
will appoint you to discharge the duties
of JaHtor."
Mr.. Fellows brought bucket Of
water.
Nov, gentlemen, we are ready fol-
business.
Just then some one looked in and said
Come on, John, and let get a drink. ,
Second the notion" said Mr.. Eel.
lows, and then turning with the gravity
for which he is noted, continued
at is moved and seconded that the
Senate adjourn and take drink. All
in favor of the motion viii say aye"
@Ayep
Contrary, no."
"The ayes have it and the Senate will
adjourn"
A few minutes later the Senate was
again called to order and the transaction
of business begun in regular form.
The commander of the post hearing
that the Legislature had met in viola
ton of his orders, sent file of soldiers
with orders to arrest the members anC
to bring them to headauarte rs. The
lower house. consisting of five members,
had adjourned when the soldiers ar
rived, but the Senate was still III ses
sion, deep in discussion pending tn,
passage of bill amending the revenue
laws of the State. Mr.. Fellows wa:
arrested and taken before Gen. Ord.
who are you, sir? p asked tn,
General.
"The Senate of Arkansas"
"A member of the rebel Legislature
eh, Captain? Where are the Other
members?"
"This was the only one We found
General. He was assembled and or
ganized himself into the Senate, anC
was discussing bill when we arrested
him"
Have you got the bill?'
Eyes, sir, here it is" producing tn,
document.
The General, after reading the bill
said: "A very good idea, Mr.. Senate
Now, sir, what is your opinion; do yol
think it would have passed."
Il think that its chances were good,
replied Mr.. Fellows.
You are no doubt wise legislator
By the way, Mr.. Senate, do you eve
drink a1ything?"
Mr. Fellows said that his most int;
mate friends had known him to drink
Captain" said the General, "pul
out that jug. Drink, sir, and then W,
will go down and pass the bill"
Several years afterward, when re
construction had been effected, Eel
lows bill was taken up, passed withou
trouble, and is now law.-Opie Z. Read
IN Ne,0 York Mercury.