Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-01-20

CHARGED on The las, las Of their terms in the deren,
counties the clerks of the regiments recording, rs
now the decisions Confident that the true source OF
the general d.scrcdi. to :hich the Militia have been
tronoht is in The unfahfu manner III which the Military
Code has been executed and confident that the Judges
would execute il in this respect with fidelity, should
confer the authority upon them, satisfied oil the hap
pest results The time now devoted by the Military
Courts this purpose does not exceed thTeefourths
OF day. and cannot perceive that 1t would interfere
with the other duties of those tribunals. But all
events The Militia must be rendered Efficient Whatever
Inconvenience may ensue although it Will not follow,
in the event suggested, that their duties will be inter
tercd with. Objections may be made that the duties
of having Tor military delinquency are ncon-
pab!e with the civil functions OF the Judges, and un-
constitutional The Judges are liable 10 perform any
duty Of judicial character and because the offenders
are offenders against military laws, i, does not follow
that unconstitutional TO punish them by the ludg
uen of civil tribunal or for such tribunals TO take
cornlsance n such offences. Tie preservation of that
great principle of liberty, the subo!d,noon Of the milf
taiy to the civil authority, by rendering the military
accountable 10 the civil Jurisdictions and subject 10 pc
nal,es inflicted by them, no, oSe ol the faults which
may lie attributed 10 this arran Sement by men who
should be anxious 10 give this nmcn practical and
eilcacious value. Wherever the Legislature find
the most efficient corrective of the present abuses, II
should be applied. II the directors 10 this plan pre-
vail the next best, IS the creation OF board of Of
iccrs, composed OF the Commandments of three CONT
guuns RegiIHeulS any Two ul WHOM ~ act, WHO
be specially sworn al the board 10 their duties
with stricness and impartlat, these officers 10 be
paid out of the funds of their respective regiments two
dollars for every day they engaged, and the same
sum for every thirty miles they necessarily travel II
sordd estimate Of the pilance paid TO these officers
should with misery ayidIiy, ntcrpose lis negative to
this plan then the next aud the last plan would sug
gcst would be- devove upon III Jusges the duty OF
deciding all cases in which the officers reported
and requiring Re commandment aud the Two battalion
officers 10 form the board to decide upon reports against
the non.comlnlssoned officers musicians and privaes
To give the laws their necessary animation and force
the tribunals who have proved so inadequate TO over
come the mlschevous sympathies IF cal intercourse
on military occasions, must be substituted by others
in whom personal interests and affections will yield &c
sentiments of official duty. To attain this desirable
object We must make the change have indicated.
have looked about vain for suitable deposite Of th:
duty considering the convenience and interests of the
people # one or the other, all Of these suggestions
be not adequate 10 the ends proposed The adoption
of either Of them will require change in the mode o
reporting delnquents, and guards 10 secure del
,y in this respect. The best means which have ap
peared 10 my mind is, to require the commandments Il
make report 10 the brgaders, in their annual reports
of all delinquen,s among the officers which are 10 BE-
verified BY afdavi,s certificates honor the bri
guders to report TO the boards Of officers,
The case may be- not only such are reported 10 him
bu, such commandan,s as shall cAt this duty or any