Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-21
News Of Fifty Years Ago
(From Newspaper Files. June 81, 1869

The bob-tailcst Legislature that ever tried to
assemble in Virginia. or any other state. at.
morning in the state Capitol Building, and this
In response to rather questionable proclama-
ton of Governor Pierpont. calling the body
such OF it as there is-toGether. However.
agreeable to the call of the Governor" called.
tho short number of Legislators got together
best they could. The alleged Senate met at
noon yesterday After the calling of the roll.
and the creatures who hand decided
to adjourn to 10 o'clock this morning, when it
up to look out for their per diem. Those present
when Lieutenant Governor Cowper "drapped" his
Mercer, of Loudoun: S, w. Powell. OF Accomac,
and +. w. Lcmosey, of Portsmouth.
The House called to order by Speaker
James NJ. Downey. He appointed p II. Gibson
clerk pro TEN. and had the roll called The
following answered their names: Accomac
Thomas Fl. kellam and William II. Gibbons:
Alexandria. Reuben Johnson and y. c. Hartman;
Loudoun. James NJ. Downey; Northampton. John
H. Birch: Norfolk County, James w Brownley
and Robert II. Nash; Norfolk City. Albert L.
HUI The ahsentees were: Job Iawxhurst. OF
Wood of Elizabeth City The House went
through tho absurd formality of elccting u
sergeant at arms and other officers. with
pay attachments.
That the "LeEisature," so-called. which as
sembled in the Capitol yesterday is really
was porn WIN can lor moment imagine and
yet all Of the few members may he able to draw
their per diem. and that really seems to be
what they are here for
Governor Pierpont wisely decided to withhold
his message to the Legislature until there are
enough people recorded there to give It a decent
hearing. The message. whatever II may be. may
possibly be forthcoming to-day. II there are
any sovereigns on hand TO hear II read.
The President Of the United States has issued
a proclamation calling for the reconstruction
and rehabilitation OF the States of Georgia and
Texas and also of Mississippi. According to the
proclama tion the tactics to be en-
ployed in the States named have already been
ordered for North Carolina and for Virginia.
A Washington dispatch to New York paper
says that General Lee, late commander Of all
OF the Confederate forces. has formal
Application for full pardon The same dis
patch also that Hon. Alexander Stephens
has made like application, but that his applica-
ton Is couched in language that covers over
fifteen double sheets of foolscap paper in tho
which he justifies himself for all Of his conduct
since 1861. While this dispatch appears TO be
we'll authenticated. we must be permitted 10
doubt the accuracy OF At least a part il. In
formation here in Richmond is the effect that
General Lee has never applied for any pa rdon.
and as for that matter. will. II his
parole issued by General Grant at Appomattox
Is not sufficient, he considers himself at the
end of his row, and in any will never
ask a pardon from the politicians who now seem
to be in the saddle. Whatever Mr. stephens
may have done we know not but General Lee
has never applied for pardon he never
will. for. as he sees 1t, he has done nothing to
be pa rdoned for.