The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-03-30
COMMONWEALTH OF MAssACHusETTs

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In Senate, Jan. 4, 1881.
The special Committee to whom was committed
the Bill entitled An Act in further addition to an
act entitled an act torregulatng, governing and
training the Militia of this Commonwealth" with
Instructions to inquire whether it conflicts with the
constitution or laws of the United States, or with
the Constitution of this Commonwealth and to in
qulre further, In what manner the Bill may be
amended so as to provide for the preservation of
the organization joined by the laws of the Unit
ed States, and also to relieve greater portion of
the citizens of this State, from the burtlens to
which they are subjected by reason of the heavy
hnes, and great loss of time required by the
present system, respectively submit the following
REPORT
mat IN their opinion, the organization ano dis
clpllne enloined by the laws of the United States,
cannot be carried into effect under the provisions
OF TINS ll-that it is the implied duty of the State
Governments to provide for the appointment of of
hcers, and the training of Militia in conformity to
the organization and discipline thus established, -
and that to authorize no military service beyond
that specified in the Bill, and hereby to suspend
| important powers and duties, heretofore exercised
by the Commander in Chief, and all other officers
above the grade OF Captain, who are necessarily
connected with the Militia by virtue of the organ
izatlon prescribed by the laws ofthe United States
is to place the militia system basis not contem-
plated by the trainers of the Constitution of this
State, SO far as their views to be inferred from
the instrument itself, from cotemporaneous Com
struction, and from the circumstances under which
the Militia was established before the adoption of
the Constitution
The Committee are further Of opinion, that the
evils and difficulties of the existing Militia System,
| which are so loudly complained of by the people
OF this Commonwealth, can only be effcctually re-
moved by the interposition of the National Legis-
lature. A bill is pending before Congress. which
| nj nffh Il.
adapted to relieve great portion of the citizens
ct every State from the burthens to which they are
now subjected in the performance of military SER
vice. The passage of that bill may perhaps be Sc
cured and fastened if the different State Legisla-
lures should unite in invoking the early attention
OF Congress to the subject. For this purpose the
Committee submit the accompanying Resolutions.
The Committee are further Of opinion that it is
expedient to repeal part of former law as pro-
vlded in the third section of the bill committed tn
them.
The Committee accordingly recommend that the
DILL be amended by striking out the first and second
sections, and that the accompanying Resolutions
should be adoptedall of which is respectfully sub.
mtted. BY order of the Committee,
). q. PHILLIPS, Chairman.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ReSolred, BY the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatiVes, that the Senators of this Common
wealth, IN the Congress of the United States. be
HS'i u"tOe; anu Ile representatives requested to
use their exertons to procure the passage of law
for the more perfect organization of the Militia Of
the several States.
Rs'Olred, That His Excellency, the Governor.
be requested to transmit copies of these Resolu
lions to the Senators and Representatives of this
common" ealth, In Congress, and also to the Gov
errors of the ether States in order that tbe 900
may be submitted to the Legislatures thereof for
their consideration. -O
Approved by the Governor, March 8. 1881.