The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-10-23

ton, and BTigadier General Truman b. Ransom,
Of Norwich, n Board of Officers TO organize the
militia, and perform various other services con-
nected herewith. Much time was consumed
IN procuring the preliminary Information TO en-
hole tne COMMITTEE to commence their Iabors.-
further delay was unavoidaby occasioned by
the resignation of Brigader General Ransom, in
May last, whose place at the Board was irnmedi-
atey supplied by the appointment of Brigadier
Gehernl e, Is. Chase, of Lyndon, who was pre-
vented entering upon The business of his np-
i pointment until June. A partial report of their
doings was na'le in the early part Of May, but
It was deemed important 10y the Board, in order
to complete the business of their appointment in
a satisfactory misnner that they should meet the
officers nf each regiment, 10 arrange aud settla
the details OF tl:cir organization, before making
a fnn report. That service was performed in
June and July. Their final report has Just been
deceived. The duties of the Board have been
more laborons than was anticipated. by the
force Of circumstances, entirely without my con-
troll, and from which l canuot perceive how
blame can justly attach to any one, the compile
ton of the organization has been delayed far
beyond the time limited Ivy the law. Uuder all
these circumstances it is probable that the bust
ness could not bave been satisfactorily brought
TO close ut a much earlier date, certainly no
within the period fixed in the INV, Should o.
nit to mention in terms ofapprobatien, the ablo
and efficient manner in which the members OF
the Board have performed the various duties as
|
which has been PLY rendered by tile
officers of every grade whom have had occa-
sion to call upon consult, should he want
ing in respect to my own feelings. So far MS I
have learned, the law of the last session, with
some small amendments, will be very acceptable
to the individuals composing the militia. THIS
! feeling is the more TO he priced as it affords an
evidence Of the prevalence OF the opinion, that
well regulated and efficient militia is the siIres,
safeguard TO our republican institutions
] feel bound 10 call the attention of the Cen
eral Assembly to the condition of the several
companies of cavalry which were tisbanded by
! the operation OF the present law. Upon the faith
OF The late law, troops Of cavalry were organi
zed in different parts Of the State, the members
of which, with laudable and praise worthy spirit
uniformed and equipped themselves, at greater
expense than any other corpse. The present
law not only renders their uniform and equip
ments vnlueIess, but requires the enrolment Of
the non commissioned officers and prvaies in
the standing companies Theirs is n case Of pc
cnllar hardship and pecnniary loss, and in my
opinion, calls loudly for the interpositon of the
General Assembly, either 20 provide that thew
may retain their former organization, with lber-
~ to recruit from the standing companies, or
that they be exonerated from further service in
the militia.
BY tie same net it was made my duty to soil.
CIT from the proper authorities of the Govern.
ment of the United States, se transmission of
rifles, in lieu of lnuskes, for the balance of arms
due this Stale under the act of 1903. In March
last addressed the head of the ordinance office
on the snhlect, and. on the 1Otll inst. received
information that 682 rifles had arrived mt the
Ciampain Arsenal subject to my order. Mea.
sures will he taken TO hive them inspected and
received without delay. .
1t was also my duty to cause the State arms
IN The Arsenal to he put in complete repair
Quarter Master General Rich, to whom this ser.
wee was assigned, on makingl arrangements TO
10 commence operations, found it difficult TO
procure shop in which to prosecute the work
Upon request made 10 the Secretary Of War, for
the use of the United States shop attached to tile
Arsenal, it was granted. Owing to the size of
the building, the number of hands employed
has been limited, and, consequently the bus.
mess will not I've completed the present
season. 1t was thought thar the business could
he more economically performed ny employing
hands by the day, than 10y contract, as heretofore
practisad Tho result fully jnstifies the proprie-
~ of the course as the arms are put in better
condition than they have ever before been, and
at less expense.
The result of the attempt to collect the arms,
distributed among the several towns under the
act of 1912, has shown la,nen,abIe ina,tent;on
10 This species of public property on the part of
the select men Of many towns. There appears
to he Il total loss to the state of more than two.
tiiths ot the whole number. Those in the ems.
tern part of the state were ordered to be COLLIER.
tendence of Gen. Phelps and those in the wes-
tern, at Nergennes, under the care of Cen
Rich. The reports of these gentlemen ale in
tended to be submitted to- the General Assembly
at the present session.
In conformity with 4" an act providing for the
revision Of the laws Of this state" Rolert
Perpoint of RntIand Samuel Swift of Middle
hurry, John Smith Of ST. Aihans, Norman Wi,
lintns of Woodstock aud Luci,,s B. Peck OF
Montpelier were appointed. They win doubt.
less make report to you of their progress at an
early period of the present session. The inpor-
lance OF having the laws, securing the rightsand
the persons of individuals. stripped of
their uncertainty and ambiguity and expressed
in plain and ineligible language, cannot he too
highly appreciated Forty years have elapsed
since an entire revision of our laws, such as is
now making has taken place; within that time
they have probably undergone greater and more
frequent alterations than those OF ANY other
state in the Union; the certain and inevitable