Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-12-11
Friday Morning, December IL, 1915.
APPROPRIATION TO VOLUNTEERS.

Ii IS natter oil prloe dhu so"e
Virginia Legislature SO promptly and pa'rion-
cslly came forward on Wednesday, 10 appropri-
ale The sum of $4,000 for The pay and subsis-
lance ofthe Virginia regiment OF volunteers, IN
III lhey are mustered into The service oil The U.
STATES. |, was a new case, but il was one Of
pressing necessity and had not the Legislature
adopted The measure al once, The companies
m;ph, have been disbanded, and an eternal dis
grace inflicted upon The stainless escn'cheon oil
Virginia.
Under these circumstances, we had hoped
that party would have slept, and the measure
been adopted without one word o grumbling or
ill.lemper. The honor and character oil Virginia
were a, Stake, and moi one murmur should have
been heard on such an occasion. All cavIl-
lings and complaints against Democratic
Administration and the causes OF the war might
properly have been deferred until more illins
reriod. Butlhe fiery spirits OF WhiSsery could
moi restrain their ardor. Mr. Syme, OF Peters
burg, INDUCED in a fling al the Secretary OF war
and his famous patched breeches," and charged
Mr.. Marcy with attempting 10 trick" virginia
out of money BY refusing 10 receive INTO Inc SCI
vice of the United States less than battalion,
leaving Virginia TO support the companies until
the battalion was formed. But il was iei'
10 The srea Whig county Of Piltsylvania
to play the most distinguished part in The
skirmi.h-for Mr. Tunstall, one OF her dele
gates, sneered q. the United States Government
for It's nocsres.ions upon Mexico" and MIR. La
nier, her other delegate, openly opposed the whole
bill; said that Virginia had nothing 10 do with
the subject, and his name stands recorded soil
lary and alone" against measure of the most
vital importance
We know notall the facts, and shall not, there.
FORE attempt,o defend the War Department. Mr..
Bocock and Mr.. Lcake assigned strong and excel
len, reasons whylhe Secretary should not be con-
demned, and We ian well conceive why, for the
convenience OF transportation, The War Depart
meni might deem il proper not 10 muster INTO
service less than a battalion OF volunteers.
But admit that 10th duty and propriety called
upon the Secretary of War 10 receive single
companies, Gen. Wallace, in The Senate, clearly
showed that he could not have done SO in accord
ance with law. Under The act oil Congress Of
18th MAY, 1876, The pay OF the Volunteers is 10
commence only when they are received into the
service of the U. States. But TO be received into
said service the companies must be fully organized
Were these Volunteer companies so organizedl
Clearly not; for, it being new case, the Cover
nor has no power 10 commission the officers, and
will have to be invested with said power by The
Legislature, which will, no doubt, soon be
done. II follows, then, that The inconvenl-
ence complained Of vas not attributable 10 The
Executive authorities here, or TO The War Depart
ment al Washington; but was produced by de-
feet in the laws We rejoice, however, That a
Virginia Legislature by an unanimous vote (save
only Mr.. Lanier, the Lone Starr nobly met the
crisis, and provided instant relief TO the gallant
volunteers who are TO fight the coontry's battles.
We are, moreover, pleased 10 believe that the in
,enlion of the Legislature was 10 provide not only
10. the pay OF The volunteers until they are muster
ell into The service of the United States, but Tor
their expenses from their homes TO The places Of
rendezvous. So il was declared in The Senate by
General Wallace, amt this construction met with
no dissent on the part OF The members.
We take pleasure in recording our appreciation
of the noble stand taken by McssIs. Stephenson
and Dorman, leading Wings, in behalf Of the
bill They discarded all party considerations on
such question, would not for one moment look
10 The causes or conduct Of the war, bul urged The
instant adoption Of the bill, because the honor
and character Of Virginia and the cause of The
country demanded il.