Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-19
IN SENATE.
MoNnAY, March Is, 1924


MONDAY, March Is, 1924.
MILITIA SYSTEM.
The bill reported by the Committee on The
Militia, ''more eitcctually to provide for the
| National defence, by establishing unif,rm
Militia throughout the United States, and pro-
vidiny for the discipline thereof,n was taken mn
Tor consideration, in committee of the whole Mr..
Dickeison in the chair. Mr.. Chandler briefly
explained the objects of the bill, and the points
upon which 1t varies from the present laws on
the same subject Mr.. Smith suggested the
propricty OF taking up the bill by separate sec
| tons.
The first Section having been read accord
ingiy, Mr.. Chandler stated, that the only vara-
ton between this section and the existing law.
Is, that provides Tor general registering of all
the persons liable to do military duty. This
sccuon was amended by an insertion, to make
IT applicable, rs well TO the territories aud to
the District of Columbia, as to the several
states.
The second section specifies those who shall
be exempted from the provisions of the ACT
Ihey are The same as are now exempted by law
flom the performance of militia services.
The third section provides for the arrangement
OF The militia of tho respective states, into dv-
| sions, brgadcs, regiments, battalions, and COM
panes, as the Legislature of each state may ,li-
rect, &c. MIR. Chandler stated, that there was
only an iminatcrial alteration proposed, by this
section from the existing system. Mr.. Hayne
objected to this section, it provides for an
arrangement of the militia, which has already
been made. Mir. Chandler stated that the OBJ
Ject of this bill was to repeal all other laws on
the subject, and embody the whole militia sys-
tenn In one general BILL in order that the officers
and men might sec, at one view, what their duty
was, and what would be required of them. On
motion OF MIR. barbour, the section was amend
cd, by inserting, after the time of six months,
WITHIN which the arrangement is 10 take place.
the words ''wherc such arrangement has not
already been made"
| The fourth section respects the elite compa-
mes OF each battalion, their officers, arms, G.
quiPincnts, sc. Ii differs from The present sys
tenn only by providing that where there are no
companies OF srenadicrs, light infantry, or rifle
men, the two oldest companies in the regiment
shall act as light infantry and that, whenever
any non-commissioned officer musician, or pri-
vatc, of the cavalry, shall neglect for the space
OF Two months, to keep horse, he shall be dis
charged from the cavalry and be required i'm
lnediatcly to do duty in the infantry.
| The fifth section provides " that the militia,
enrolled as aforesaid, shall, within twelve
months from and after the passage of this act,
be divided into two corps. All those above the
age of Is, and under the age OF % years, shall
form one corps, to be denomnated the select
corps And all over the age of 90, and under
the age OF 40 years, shall form the other corps,
to be nominated the reserve corps. Both the
corps to be and remain under the same organiza-
ton and under the officers, as is before provided,
and shall be called out, by companies, one day
in each year, together for the inspection OF arms,
and for the purpose of improvement and disci-
pline.n
! Mr. Chandler stated that, under tlia.,roy isons
OF Tins section. the select corps would probably
consist oil about 858, 600, and the reserve corps
about A or 500 GEO: and that the expense of
time, &c. would not be greater iiian is at present
incurred. Mr. Lowric thought the nurnher of
the select corps, would be too great, and the
expense too burthensoinc. He novel TO reduce
the greatest age of that corps, in this section,
from ttceaiy eight to tice,ity .fotsi. years. He
| thought it would be curious select corps
which consisted Of halfa million men, and that
the smaller number would be the moro efficient.
| He was, however, opposed to the section alto
gcther.
Messrs Smith, Holmes, OF Maine, and Chand-
Ter, were opposed to the reduction of the spcci-
fled age, and Mr.. Mills spoke in favor OF it,
The question on striking ont t,ccnty EIGHT yeais
was put and carried. a motion to I'LL the blank
with twenty-sy years was lost. 1t was then
moved to insert tce'lty fire gears; which was
adopted.
| The sixth section was then read. II provides
that the select corps together with all tie officers
and non-conmssioned officers of the militia
shall be called out -four days at one time in each
year, by division, brigade, regiment or battalion
| for The purpose oftraiung and perfactrg them
III military discipline. 1t further provides, that
officers shall be daily detailed to command and
train the troops SO called out; and those officers
who arc not so detailed, shall be exercised and
instructed in the line Of their duty by some of the
officers best qualified for that purpose so that
each oi.lcorwili have an opportunity Of command
| ing and receiving instruction during the four
days aforesaid. 1t is left to the respective
5tltcs TO furnish the troops with such tents,
camp cqnipaGc and vations, as they may think
| proper.
Mr. Mills objected to this section Of The bill,
rs transceniing the powers vested by inc con
siitution in the Congress of the United States.
lie read the constitutional provision or this sub
| jcct, which gives TO Congress the power of or
ganzing, arfning, and disciplnng the militia,
ami governing such parts as may be employed
in the service of the United States, but which
reserves the authority oftydining thc militia to
the states, respectively. Mr.. M. then pro-
cccded TO sew the incompatibilIty which he
supposed 10 exist between this article of tho
constitution and the sixth section of this bill.
! Fir. Branch, also, opposed this section.
! hicssrs. Chandler, Barbour, and Holmes, OF
! Maine, contendcIagainst the unconstitutionality
of this section.
/ blr. IIayuc moved TO strike out the section.
on the ground oits obvious opposition 10 the Cen
stitution, AMI made some remarks IN support OF
his motion.
On melton of Mr.. Bcll, the bill was ordered
| TO lie on the table; and, on motion Of the same
member.
! The Senate thcn procco lei TO The coDsilera-
zion of The Exccuifc business; a,d immediate
/ ~ thereafter,
Adjourned till tomorrow.