Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-03-21
From the Detroit Daily Free Press.
OUTLINES OF THE DEBATE in

the House of Representatives., Friday,
March 2, 1888, on The Militia bill.
The committee of the whole having had
under consideration the militia bill, rose and
reported, when
Mr.. McCLELL AND offered a resolu-
lion TO re.commit the bill, vi h instructions
TO The committee to arend il SO Us to pio.
vide for the election of all officers nor rank
ing higher than colonel, and for the simple
enrolment ofthe militia, aboshing the school
o. instruction.
MIR. II. SMITH said as this was a test
question, he could not refrain from calling
the attention OF the House TO this subject.
lie would 10: urge this bill upon the House
if against its feelings; but, in view of pre-
sent indications, he thought it was worthy
of serious consde ation. Gentlemen seemed
20 feel no interest in the subject, but he as
sured them that their Constituents were not
indifferent to it; and he hoped the members
Of this House would not dispose OF it with.
out serious reflection.
Mr.. McCLELLAND very concisely but
somewhat in detail gave his views in oppo-
sion to the proposed system. This ques.
ton he said was not new to him; it had
been mooted in the convention, Of which he
was member; he was of the same opin-
ion then that he entertained now. He was
for doing away with the present 6dious tax
upon the people, and the perpetuaiion or in
crease OF it by the bill before the House.
He was Tor simple enrolment of the mi
lita, and against the proposed school Of in
struction, and in favor OF the election Of of.
fcers instead Of their appointment. The
present system was demorazing in its ten
dency, aud the one under consideration e.
| qually so. He believed the people were
dissatisfied with the present system, and
would be still more SO with this. lie had
no desire to dampen military ardor, but he
did not consider the present bill calculated
10 increase il.
Mr.. Ii. SMITH read that part Of the
Constitution OF the United States which re-
quIied each state to organize and discipline
the militia, and called upon the House TO
perform that Imperative duty. twas SUBJ
| lect worthy the serois consideration of the
| House. The committee, after much delibe-
ration, had formed the plan Of school, of
instruction they propose thata proper num-
Der should be Instructed in military tactics,
and be enabled, in case OF necessity, to
communicate their knowledge 10 others
Ii is said tina, the tendency of the sv stem
is demoralizing; but it must be borne in
mind, that this bill does not propose 10 as
| semble the militia as is now the case. 1t
might, with more truth. be said, that the
:, plan proposed by the opponents of the bill
Of electng officers, would have demorali-
| b,,, frartanf nd nm
necessary assemblages. Gentlemen seem
TO fear that the bill will encourage militia
ny spirit among the people, but il this house
is the true representation of the feelings of
gentlcmcn's constituents, there is little dam
ger Of too much military f cling among US.
In other countries, it had been considered
tae policy of the government TO encourage
military spirit among the people.
Mr.. BEMENT remarked, that, Of the
comparative merits OF the present militia
system, little more need be So id. BY the
, present system, it las been abundantly
shown that the soldiers acquire no valuable
knowledge of the profession of arms, al
: though they spend much time and much
money, which falls heavily upon those who
are least able to bear it--iho tendency to
, intemperance and other immoral habits had
been abundantly shown. This bill providi s
p for the drilling Of officers only. They will
!. thus acquire knowledge sufficient 10 make
+ good soldiers when they require to DC call
!. led out. But, Mr.. peaker, ! am well a
C ware that the opposition arises neither from
!! the merits or demeiits OF this bill. Gen-
d emcn tell usthey arc opposed to any KIND
of organization o! the milna--they fear we
v have 100 much military spirit. A few days
j. since, when bill was before this House to
n organize a city guard, subject to the call OF
i. the city authority, one honorable member
IT opposed it on the ground Of special legisla-
=; iion-graniing special privileges Mr..
n Speaker, would ask il it is a spec al privi
e lege to be liable TO be called upon to defend
]; he law without pay, at any time and at nj
70 hazards Arc we SO devoted to the pro
lection Of the laws Another honorable
IN gentleman said he was opposed TO organI
sr zng companies Of soldiers placed under the
city authorities TO spy out our Liberties J
IN Yes Mr.. Speaker, to spy out our liberty o.
wv violating the civil law! Gentlemen are a
It. fra tie civil law will be cn!orc d. Mr.
nd Speaker, we sit here To make laws, and shal
he we not provide means 10 enforce the laws
" II is a principle that have often advanced
" upon this floor, that we had better be with
OF out law than to have laws we cannot enforce
ar believe in the majesty OF law. 1t the Law
n. BIO bad mend it but while II is law, main
a tain it. What is the peculiar sign of tn
ma times Are not mobs and riots fast be
IS. coming the order Of the day? Almost eve
lis nv month brings us news Of bodies Of me-
he putting the civil authorities at Defiance
sir destroying lives and properly indiscrm
III. uaoy---,rampling upon all law and order
D. and ycthonorablo members rise on this foo
MS and say there is no necessity Of organz'nI
nd the militia. They wish no organisation
cd soldiers to spy out our liberties we &c
n here as the guardians Of the people 8 r'gn'
In and Of their safety. But we s'umoer J
he the mids, Of danger. Boz mr.. oPeake