Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-21


discussion The officers OF whole brigade would.
over, have opportunity Of becoming personally
quain'ed with each other The capacity and reputation of
every officer would be perfectly understood, and
recty graduated throughout the brigade This would
prove most important dcsderatu, both the privates
and officers in all future promotions; for nothing could be
more Important to the character and efficiency of the
itia than proper guide TO aid them in the election
officers. The claims of candidates TO promotion fom the
lowest to the highest grades OF commission would then
be decided, not by the dates of their commissions.
by their actual qualifications Officers elected under such
circumstances could not fail to be respected and obeyed
by those under their command. The great body of the
militia would feel disposed pay attention to- the instruc
ton of officers, in whose Knowledge and capacity they
could reposc confidence This confidence Of the militia
in their officers might prove vitality important tothc
try ii any sudden emergency should cali them into the
HELD by the proposed system, we should have we'll
trained corps Of officers throughout the State, who in the
hour OF peril would not find II necessary to learn their
duty but would feel themselves ready and compecn, TO
impart instruction, and TO assume commend. militia
commanded by such corps OF officers, could fail to
be eilcientand, in very short time, 10 rival reg
ular troops wel-ounded confidence of the soldier in
his officer is the man-sprng OF military II was
owing mainly to this that the unframed populace
Paris commanded and led by the students at the mill
tary schools boys, in whose military knowledge and
capacity, however, they felt confidence, enabled
sustain themselves gaanty against veteran troops
ring their memorable struggle of three days, and finally
achieve the late wonderful revolution The conf
dence IN their officers, would enable militia If called
into the held TO the State with honor and effect.
Mr. X said he had heard no plausible objection urged
against the adoption OF the proposed system except the
expense which it would involve. He then proceed
cd 10 enter into various calculations, TO shew what
that expense would be, which, after making allowance
Tor the costo TENTS ESTIMATED TO last twelve
eaeh) the pay and mileage of officers, the cost of
music and compensation to the of r-
gades for the storage &C. of the tents deduct
ing tcreirom the present cost of training the officers, he
estimated at sum less than 100000 per annun. But
as 1t highly probable that the number of nustcrs
well the of militia fines would be increased Iu
ring The present session, he anticipated such an agnen
aon OF the militia fund from fincs as would probably
reduce the above estimate OF the increased expenditures
OF the militia to about $4,000 $l2 900 per annum.-
Mr. X said that an objection had been urged against the
amount OF the proposed expenditure for tents 1t is in
deed true they may cost in the first instance from SO 900
TO $1,000 But, as they estimated TO last at least
twelve years. If taken good Of (beng only six
days in the year, the charge for tents would moi
be more than from $500 TO 5000 And even should II
hereafter be thought advisable TO discontinue the propos-
ed SYSTEM after having adopted it, the tents might no; be
altogether useless Iii be advisable arm and equip the
militia the distribution, in convenient places tkrou ghou
inc State' oil the number of tents required by the bill
| might prove very convenient emergency.
Mr. H. said that those who attached importance TO ha-
wing at all times in the Sate well disciplined corps oil
officers, ought not 10 object TO granting them n moder-
ate compensation to defray their necessary expenses
while actually engaged in the public service. He con-
siaered he esumated expense TO be very insufficient OBJ
lection to the proposed SYSTEM if the importance of the
object in vcw be duly considered. The officers una
vodaby incur the expense of uniform, and various
ungent charges,-they necessarily give up a portion Of
Their ume-encounter great deal of trouble-assume
much responsibility-and subject themselves to heavy
hnes for failure to comply with their respective duties
remuneration for the augmented trouble expense and d-
ties, to which the bill under consideration would subject
them Mr. r. considered it highly important that the
legislature should at least make experiment Of the pro
posed system. He aware of change which coult
be made in the militia laws, likely to produce benef
cial result;and he felt well assured that should the bill
pass and its various provisions he faithfully carried eff
iect we should i'm very short time have the respec-
table and bos trained corps of militia officers of any State
in the Union.
The question being then taken on the motion TO post
pone, 1t was decided in the affirmative by the following
vote
dyes-Messrs. Banks (Speakcr,) Grinalds, Randolph
Booker, Garland, McCue, Brooke Cameron, Campbell
OF b. Good OF b., Anderson, of b., Pateson of b., Boil
ing, SPurlock, Rves, Daniel, Dickinson, Halyburton
Richardson, Paeson of c., Pendleton Broadus, Wilson
oil ca Chiffon, Sdllman, Helms Hale OF f., Woods Woo,
Or Bryce oil r., Snidow, Smith of Co. Bryce of c., Hal
oil u Ersklne Spencer, Bruce, Poston Roane johnson
Graveiy, Hays, Lawson, Caldwell, Pondexter Street
Hudsins, Goode of ~, Knox, Billngsy, yawter Pres
ton, Leigh, Fisher Harvey, Davis, Adams, Witcher
swanson, Gilliand, Miller, linn, Dupuy Land Stands
Carter OF r. W., Hart, Nc ahon, Cline, lessee, Kill
gore, Bare, Carson, Hargravc, Gillespie, Mccoy Keller
| Newton, Crockett, King-S0.
Noes-Messrs. Persnger Wilson of b., Campbell o
Gholson, Shell, Brodnax, Jones, Ritchie Ball. Ste
phenson, Smith OF Frederick, SIMS Carskaion VI ullen
Mayo. Jordan, Shield, Gallaher, Berry Summers Har
wood Garter OF l.. &R Allcn McIlhany Cordcl Smitl
OF M 81, Henry, Byrne, Webb, Cabel, Chandler Fz
hugh, Parriott, Robertson, Iiner, Moore, Mcdowell
Cobb, Powell, Moncure, Rutherfoord-4l