Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-06-27
eyer were regarded as militia. And

dent appoint their colonies well their general officers
Colonies oil regular troops were appointed by the President
and Senate.
Mr.. BURT replied He had already said that while vo-
lunteers had been regarded militia neither had they
in all instances been regarded enlisted regulars Congress
prescribed the number OF volunteers to be received and their
organization. Their colonies allowed to be chosen by
themselves concession the prejudces which
prevail on that point II great concession which
granted the thing in the present BILL They might have
been commanded by officers of the United States No doubt
should the bill pass, these officers would be selected by
President the very principle by which gentlemen wished
10 provide that his choice should be restricted.
Mr. b. held in his hand brief synopsis Of the several
| on this subject.
The law of l79 which the first act passed
to these volunteers provided that the President might
employ troops levies, in addition the militia, and
might appoint their officers All knew who then the
President of the United States The law received his appo-
baton and signature.
The that of 1894 This allowed the Pesi-
dent to call upon the Executives of the States for $4,000
militia empowered the Governors accept the services OF
independent corps part of the number il they should
voluntarily engage SUCH These corps TO be
differed by State authority. The evident implication was
that without such authority the State Executives would have
had authority accept the services of volunteers.
In September 1884, the President called the State Of
Pennsylvania for $500 militia, to serve, by voluntary
men for thirty days. and the President appointed their
officers
In May, l79s the President authorized cause be
enlisted 10000 United States troops for three years. and also
to accept the services vounteershe President appoint
the officers Here q distinction recognised between
United States troops and volunteers With single excep
ton where might be accepted by the President,
he alone to officer them.
In june 1885, volunteers declared to be exempt from
militia dr-rom all militia laws, militia duty, and militia
nesand their captains were to be appointed by the
President.
the services of $4,000 volunteers, and their officers
be appointed by him.
In 1903 the President empowered to call upon the
Governors Of the States 80 900 militia officers included
the
uneers who would engage for twelve months De-
tachments of militia and volunteers together TO be Off
cered by the States
In April 1906 the President was authorized call on the
Governors of States for lOO 900 militia, and confer
them the power of accepting volunteers who would for
six months. Detachmens of militia and volunteers to be Of
fcered by the States.
In March, 1908, the same law re-enacted.
On the 9th February, 1872 the President authorized
accept the services of fifty thousand volunteers to be Off
cered according the laws Of the States and vacancies be
filled by the rule.
In June 1912, Mr.. Madison in special message,
mended that the officers Of the volunteers should be commits
| stoned by the United States
In July 1872 the President was authorized to appoint the
general field, and staff officers Of the volunteers who would
bind themselves according the requirements of law
In February, 1874 the President authorized receive
volunteers under the laws last passed. if they would engage
for five years during the war-ther officers take
rank with the officers of the line.
Another law passed in 1914, declaring that the officers
of volunteer corps receive promotion in the
ner officers of the line.
By law of January 1915, the thing enacted
and the President authorized receive forty thousand State
troops be oered by the States and also forty thousand
volunteers, 10 be differed by the United States.
Such the of legislation down to 1886.
appeared that the States regarded being
militia; the Government of the United States regarded them
not militia they regarded troops enlisted in the
service Of the United States. When the State Governors
authorized receive volunteers instead Of militia the
States appointed the officers and then they considered
State volunteers This the fact in every but that
February 1872 When volunteers engaged the service of
the United States they differed by the United States
and the of 1872 thought first provided they should be
ocered by the States expressly recommended by Mr.
Madison to be changed
Mr. b. said he shonld undertake define the exact
character Of volunteer troops and say whether they
militia regulars Our past legislation had regarded voun-
engaging TO the United States being militia
of the States for they expressly exempted from the
ration of militia laws Mr. b. said that he could perceive
any constitutional objection to the passage of the bill If the
question created doubt in any mind this uniform of
legislation certainly entitled great consideration and
should go not little way TO remove it, When gentlemen
gaded the fact which beyond all doubt question: that
the efficiency of this description Of troops depended on the
mode in which they differed, and when this unbroken
of Legislation found be strict conformity with
the principles of the BILL he trusted gentlemen would
bring themselves TO reject ii.
Mr.. THOMASSON said what he had now heard from the
gentleman from South Carolina (M Bunr) satisfied him
the improperly OF hastily acting this subject Mr. T.
not prepared to whether volunteers be considered
militia not but this he would say that he unwilling
to confer upon the President the power Of taking per
baps from other State, and placing him the mill
tia Of Kentucky whether the volunteers militia not
man with whom they might have acquaintance and in
whom they not prepared place confidence If pre-
yous legislation had warranted procedure like this it
time should be changed and would be wiser
law than to hold ourselves bound by precedent
unwse act He heard said that the laws of Kentucky did
not declare how volunteers be Differed and was in
deed true that the militia law in that State had almost
dead letter. and militia musers laughing Very lit
tie attention paid to training. But admitting this to be
the he would still leave the authority Of appointment
with those States which had legsated the subject If
there States which had any militia law then he
would authorize their Executive exercise the power Of a
pointing officers. The volunteers who now pouring in
from the Western States under officers chosen by them
selves and commissioned by the Governors of respective
States to which they belonged This bill gave the President
the same power which had been exercised by the
cuive. Mr. T. would leave to the candor of any gentle
man to say which Of the two likely make the most
suitable selections.
Then he had another objection the BILL He did not want
to see than at present accumuatng the
hands Of The officers who in with the vour-
teer troops subject to the rules and articles Of war; and
ready under general officers appointed by the Pesi
dent He thought this proper time for Congress to
draw broad line Of distinction and ccumscribe power
Of the President to the differing of the regulars only and
declare that all other troops should be differed by State
conformity with the State laws He was prepared to take
that ground and he hoped the Military Committee would
draught bill giving the States the authority all cases
He told that the Governor Of Kentucky had refused to
of