Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-03-19

two huudied copies OF the Message of Ihe
Presideat of the u. s., and the documents ac-
e"nfPdnyihS II, III relation 10 the Massachusetts
EARN io' miliiIh services, during The hate war
We're ordered 10 be printed Tor the use ui
the Senate.
MILITIA SYSTEM
The bill, reported by, the Co.nmittc, on
the ei''iti', "more "iieciu;,ily 10 pro, de for
ne Niliod1i DeirAcc, by establishing a uni
i"r'n Mhua Throughout tie United States
and providing Tor the discipline thereof" was
'akeh.np iIr consideration, In committee OF
The "hJ'', MIR. OiCkersUn in The chair MIR
Chandler ais'tlg explained the objects OF The
bi'', a"d lie points UPON which it varies from
"a" present laws un the same subject; Mr.
o'mtn suggested The propriety OF taking un
the b.il by separate sections.
Ihe FAST section having bern read accor-
dlh8iy, alr Chandler stated, that the only
variation between this section, and the exist
ms law, is, that il provides for Il ges.ral ,.
gst"rino OF al! the persons liable To do miltar,
DUTY. thls section was amended by AN i'm
sertin, 10 make II applicable, rs well to the
territories and to .he ID strict OF CuIumbia as
to the several states.
The second section specifies those who
shall b" exempted from the pro, isions of the
act. Inty are III. same as are now rxempted
ny law from the performance of militia SER
vices.
The third section pro-, ;des for the arrange
nrnt ot The militia of tie respective states
inio divisions. biigades, regiments, baitalions
and Companies, AS the Legislature of each
state may direct, Sc. Mr. Chandler stated that
there was only an lmnat, rial alteration III opos-
Ell, by tins section, from the existing system.
Nh haync objected Ia this section, as it pro-
WOES Tor an arrangement of the militia Whth
mas already been made. Mr.. Chandler stated
tlht''he OBJECT OF this bill was to repeal all
o.her laws on the subject. aud emLudy the
whole mhiui system IN one s>utIal bill, in or
der that me officers aud men might see ;,l one
view, what their duty WAS, and would he, re-
qulrrd OF them. GA motion of Mr.. Barbour
the SECTION was amended, by Inserting. after
me Tune OF SIX months, within which the ar
rtuSement Is tn take place, the words where
such arrangement has not already been maJe''
me iOnrth section respects the elite cum
pauIGs of each battalion, their officers arms
equipments, Sc. Ii differs from the present
system only by providing that, where there are
ma companies of grrnddiGrs, light infantry. or
i'"rWell' Tue Two oldest companies in the rcgi-
nhnt shall act as light infantry and Thai
Whenever any nnn-COm missOned Officer
musician, or private, of the cavalry, shs!
neSleci, Tor Inc space of two mouths 10 Keen
horse, ne shall be discharged from the.
cavalry, and be required immediately TO do
duty Ia the iuflntry.
The iifth section provides that the militia.
enioiied as aforesaid, shall, within twelve
lupn'ns rom and after the passing of this act,
be divided into two corps An Those abo,e
the age %! 10, and undrr the age 90 wears.
shall inrm one corps, To be denomnatfd the
select corps. Add ali over the age of 90, and
under the age OF 10 years, shall form the
ether corps, 10 be denOmnatrd the reserve
corps Both the corps 10 be aud rer!lain IN
Ger me shne organization, aud under the off
GERS, as Is before provided, and shall be called
OUT, by companies, one day in each wear. To-
Sethef' t'r me Inspection Of arms, and for the
purpose at improvement in discipline"
Nh. Chandler stated that, under the rrovi-
slons of this section, the select corps wouId
probably consist ofab0ut $4,000, and the re-
serve corps about or 500 900 and that the
expense OF time, sc. " ould not be greater
than is at present incurred. Mir. 10 .yri,.
Thought the number of the select CORPS wouId
De too great, and the expense too hurthensume
he moved TO reduce the greatest age of that
corps, IN TINS section, ironf twenty-eight to
twrniy-fOur years. He thought It would he
curious select corps which consisted of half
million of men, and thai the smaller number
would be the more efficient. He was, howey
CT, opposed 10 the section altogether
MesTs. Smith, Hulmes Of Maine, and Chan
der, were opposed to the reduction of the
specific age, and Nr. Mills spokein favor Of
IT. Toe question on striking out twent Weight
years was put, and carried. A motion to I'm
the blank with twenty-six years was lost. II
was then moved 10 iasert tweni y-Eye years :.
winch was adopted.
The sixth section was then read. II pro.
vidrs that the select corps together with an
the Officers and nuu-cnmnssinnpd officers nr
the militia, shall be called nut four DAYS M one
time IN ench year, by vision, brigade. rcgi
ment, or battalion. for the purpose Of training
and perfccilug them ~ military discp1ine II
fu, her provides, that Officers shall be daily de-
tsiicd 10 command and train the trnuns so
called out ;and those officers " no are not so de-
tailed, shall be- exercised and instructed in fhe
line of their duty by some Of tie officers hpst
qualified i"r that purpose So that each officer
VIII nave an opportunity OF commanding and
receiving instruction during the four DAYS a
iOresaid. Iti4 left To the respective states tn
furnish tlic troops with such tents cauu eu,6
page, and rations, as they may think proper.
MIR. Mills obi lctcd to this section of The
blu rs traDacrHding the powers vested hy the
constitution IN the Congress of the Tnited
Sintes. IT, read the constitutional proyision
on This subject. whirh gives to Congress fine
power of orgaDAug, arming, and discipninr
The piilira, ard governing such parts rs NAV
be rmplaJ.d ~ The service Of the United
Sia'Gs, bat which reserves the authority oil
training 'hc militia, 10 tIc states rcspectiyrJy.
Mr.. a. fhrn proceeded 81 shrW The incnr,snf
iblui which he supposed 10 exist between this
arilrl" oftle constitution and thc sixth secton
ofthis bill.
Mr.. Branch also, oppoerd This src,ion.
Mrssr.. ChaniIrr Barbour and loin,s oil
NJ unr, c'n'cndrd against The uDcoasli;utiun-
ali y of Ibis -ccCpn.
4 L.