Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-05-30

ciilcICnt uOu NlOfOuEn InblIuChOus vi WHlCH
our institutions and resources will admit
But the time in the above act will not afford
us the opportunity designed, even though the
whole OF it was employed in active and dill
gent service. II must necessarily happen that
one out of the two days allowed, is consumed
in going to and returning from the place of
rendezvous, leaving but one, in which is 10 be
learnt all the important and various lessons 10
be taught, in drill which is 10 suffice for the
wear. We ask, therefore, that double the time
now given may be afforded us, in order that
drills may be something more than the mere
form. We appiehcnd, and are fully confirmed
in the opinion, both from our own experience
and from the opportunity oflorCG ed us for cor
rect observation, that the objection to the time
consumed, which is so often rendered. is the
result OF mere theoretical assumption. and has
no foundation whatever in fact Ana we coin
lido with the views expressed by the diutant
General Of Massachusetts,, "That the few
trainings established in tho several States, arc
not deemed burthen by the great mass OF the
NJ ilitia: that on The contrary they are nntici-
patod with pleasure, and even with engerness,
as authorized relaxatic9s from labor or moto-
tonons pursuits, which relieve the body and
Give energy 10 the feelings. Besides their Of
| feet s 10 excite and nourish some of the best
sentiments Of a free and Republican people,"
Under this head your Memorialiss respect
fully ask the consideration Of the Legislature,
upon the proprety Of remuneratng he officers
for the actual expense paid out by them, in al
tendance upon these drills Is il an object Of
any moment, that they are exempted from the
payment of taxes to the amount now granted
them, while at the same time they arc COM
| PEELED 10 double that amount in actual yearly
expenses Is it a privilege that one, hold
ing a military office, should necessarily incur
expenses, which another holding a civil Office,
is exempt, while the latter receives n compen.
sntion thereiorl From an estimation Of the
number Of civil Offices and occupations that
exempt the holders from military duty, it is
| nscertaincd that by taxing these small sum
yearly rs an equivalent for such exemption, il
would amount TO sum sufficient 10 pay all
the expenses in the State for attending thcs,
diills, with but very little additional expense
TO the state We ask not remuneration for
the time the labor and the toll, attendant up
on military duty, but we do ask that the actual
expense paid out by them in attendance upon
drills may be borne by the state, and princi-
| paliy by those exempted from such duty
! Then, and not till then, will they feel them
selves enjoying the same rights with their
fellow citizens around them, or will they enter
| upon their duties with energy and zeal.
| s. Fines. The militia act upon this subject
is in high degree defective. Many an effort
has been made, 10 render the statutes Of other
States our guides in this respect, but Ga often
without avail. The cotAmandants of comp.-
MICS unde The rs-scn; Co. have often h.
s.r'e, -,ano.~.~~ -~--eientous rule OF du-
ty, incurred the censure, the anger, and the
revenge Of those under their command which
has utterly destroyed their influence and use.
fulness, and compelled them 10 an ignomini-
Gus tender Of their resignation. Others have
been strict and unreasonable in the collection
of fines, without regard TO consequences, and
have never accounted for their use or disposal
By the removal of the 23d section of the
Act offs, no method is left, providing for the
com oelling the attendance Of officers upon
drills, by any penalty whatever, creeping
under the general end expensive one of courts
martial for disobedience Of orders and unmiIi-
tary conduct. We consider that an act con-
stituting the field officers of each Regiment
board, or court martial, which shall have stat
ed periods of sitting in the fall Of each year,
for the trial Of al minor ofences and neglccts
Of duty, to be altogether more effective, least
expensive, and fully meet the object desired.
Your memoriaists would therefore pray,
that the attention Of the General Assembly
may be seriously directed 10 all the points
here briefly enumerated that the response
bilily thus upon them by the Constitution of
tho United States may not be felt 10 be dischar
ged by preserving the mere forms Of orgGniza.
ton but that the subject may receive the prop
or invest cation, and due regard be given 10 the
prayer of your memorialists, that those acts, so
detrimental and deficient, may be repealed, and
that the whole may be 20 revised, and other en-
actmcnts made, which shall restore spirit to our
ranks, give efficiency the discipline prescrib-
ed, and consistency and operation TO our sys-
TEN. And your memorialists, as in duty bound,
will ever pray.