Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-22
Twcnty-1ouTtAs G0Essrcss--gst s"s
HOUSE OF REPRESENfATlN E.o.
.HOndlU. tiuTch H.

The House proceeded to consider the resolutions Of
the Legislature Of the State of New York. tie sub
iect OF the organization Of the milll presented OIL for
lner day by Mr. GiIctt, who moved TO refer them 10 the
Committee hlilIlia with the following instructions:
60 inquire into the cxprdicncy Of SO altering the
laws relating to the militia a*Sto provide:
ls That all free white abebOdlcd male citizens OF
the United States, between twenty and turtyiive
years of age, shall be enrolled in the militia
ID That OF the persons enrolled all who are under
wcntysercn years OF age shall once III each year, be
called out for period not less than SIX days, ana remain
under arms during that period, with the view Of i'm.
provemcnt in military discipline and martial exercise,
and such persons to be minute men, and first called upon
in case of instruction, or :nvas on.
Sd That thu persons who so called out, and re-
main under arms shall receive reasonable compensation
for their time.
Ath. That the Government of the United States shall
furnish at proper Repositories for the Of the persons
thus called oul all needlu tents, arms, and accoutrc
| mrnts.
9Th That there shall be deposited at the proper points
on The frontiers and scahoard, all necessary and proper
arms including brass cannon, and acc0ucmenls, and
ammunition to supply the enrolled militia when called
into &c ual service, i'll defence OF The country
Mr. Gillet addressed the House at some length on the
subject embraced in the proposed instructions:
Mr. Haner understood that Ills whole subject al
ready before the Committee on the Militia and before he
was called upon to vote ns nc:ions for that Committee
tc report he desired opportunity OF examine hrin
Mr.. Gct explained that the instructions extended
further than to direct the committee TO inquire.
Mr.. Hancr about 10 move to have them laid OH
the table and printed but they did not instruct the
committee to report lie would press the motion.
Mr. Glascock, chairman Of the Committee on Mill
tnry Affairs stated that all the facts sought be inquired
into and embraced in the instructions intended TO be CIV
EN- TO that committee were already before that commit
tee. He had, however, objection himself to the adop
ton of the resolution. All the bills hitherto reported to
that House, former sessions, and which unfortunately
had been acted also then possession Of
the committee
MIR. G. further stated that he himself considered this
very important question, and believed that
sure should be enacted for the purpose of organizing the
militia throug hout the country Knowing and feeling
the Importance OF this question, he informed the House
that bill would be prepared before the nd ournment of
the present session. and presented ~ the consideration
OF the House. The bill would he presented after great
dc5t raon and important matters taken from the bills
heretofore introduced would be Incorporated in it, He
believed such bill would be reported would meet the
views of the majority Whether it would BE- rcpvr,ed in
time to be acted during the present session Of Congress
was what doubtful from tho press of business before
the House, but it would at all events be reported in
10 days and might be acted during the coming
He would suggest the gentleman from n " (Mr Gil
lct that any amendment he NIGH think proper 10 offer
might he offered when the bill cae up for action. Ii had
BECOME hat fashionable TO instruct committees To
what they to do This, MIR. c. Thought unnecessary.
II gentlemen had suggestions to make with regard
TO 2ny plans they might wish to incorporate in BILL
they would always be listened with attention by the
chairman or any member Of the committee But indie
pendent ut this, let him ask, II the fact not well
known that individual hlu IL IN Ills power TO oicr
anr amendment any additional clause, Ic might think
proper, at certain Bearing this fact in mind.
did him that 1t was altogether unnecessary to
instruct the committee the present occasion. He
ccived wholly unnecessary particularly the very
object the inquiry embraced in the instructions be-
fore the committee, and al ;e time he begged ii
be distinctly understood that lie had objection to
their adoption.
Mr.. Haley moved the following amendment, to come
in additional instruction 10 the instructions OF Mr.
Get:
"And that the Committee the Militia be instructed
10 inquire into the cxpedlcncy OF paying the militia Of
the United States, when called out Tor military exercise
inspection, and review, us now organized"
Mr. H. explained that he introduced the amendment
at this time in order that the committee, before report
ing the BILL might be in possession of the views of others
in relation 10 the subject He Of opinion that the
militia ought to be paid. The Government found ways
and means to pay every body else who performed any
duty with the single exception of the militia They
PEELED the mtl to perform services for three or
four days in tn year, subjected them to fine and npri
sonmsnt for neglect of duty, and all for nothing:
Mr. Lincoln opposed the amendment at some length,
aud was in favor of the instructions Of the gentleman