The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-17

Colonel ScRooas then read the resolutions and
said that the greatest wants of the militia were ex-
pressed in the resolutions before the convention. BY
his argument the troops would have fxed sum
no matter how small-even though it should not ex-
coed IS pes annum If they should not like to per-
form much duty their pay should be decreased in
| proportion. The Legislature should fix q certain
number of days for doing duty, or else some men
would continne doing duty eyerlastngly, and would
| make large sums Of money by the operation.
Colonel MCALPINE moved that the resolutions OF
Colonel Scroggs be laid the table, and that the
report of the Committee on the bylaws and Consti-
tuition, who were ready to report be taken up
This motion was lost and the Chair decided that
| Col. Scroggs' resolutions were in order.
Gen. BoRRoUGHs would like to hear the resolu-
tons read again. which request was granted by Col.
Scroggs.
Gen. BuRRoUGHs then rose, and said that he did
not like to occupy the time of the convention and
would, therefore detain them but for few moments.
The most important change that could be effected in
the system Of their militia, would be to render it
stable. Ever since Governor Seward came into
office there has been no stability in the militia law.
In some parts of the State the communication fee
worked well but in other portions it did not. Sup
posing that, in twO-thrds of the State, they should
find well organized body of militia, would it be
right to disturb them? Certainly not. II is good
and proper the communication tax be sustained. The
officers OF the different regiments meet annually and
compute what amount would be necessary to defray
the expenses In those localities where there are good
systems they could not suffer He offered these sug-
ReStlOnS, because Unau convention important
one. They should be aware, if they passed any tax
for sustaining the militia the people perhaps would
not agree to it. He moved that the resolutions of
Col Seroggs be referred to a committee on resou-
tons, that committee to consist of from each
division, and that they report after recess
Col. SCRoGGs said he would second his motion, if
his demands were reasonable, in any shape. He has
not had any opportunity to explain his ideas to the
convention.
The CHAIRMAN said he could have as much time
as he pleased. (Applause)
Col. ScRoGGs made no alusion to the chair what
ever. He proposed that committee be appointed
to present memorial to the Legislature.
Col. VANDENBERGH expressed himself very sorry
that the convention would not listen to the remarks of
Col. Scroggs while offering his resolutions. He
thought that they had right to hear him. and that
it was for that purpose the convention was called
Col. SEWARD wished Col. Scroggs to read his reso-
utions again. He did not think that the convention
had any right to refer the finance portion of them.
If they should refer any portion of them they should
refer the whole
Gen. RANDALL had no objections to reference of
the resolutions to committees but it seemed to him
another time. He thought it would be better plan
to substitute the memorial instead of the resolutions
II they referred them to committee it would occupy
too much time. By the next day many of the mem
theywOud not accomplish what they came there for.
He agreed with Col. Scroggs in paying the troops
fixed sum for their labor No matter how small the
amount was it would be very satisfactory to them.
large cities they were not. 1t was very plain that
there was large amount of money distributed among
the troops Of the farming districts, where no work Of
any consequence is done, and that in the cities
work is really done, they do not receive any compen
sation whatever. They did not need general revi-
sion OF the militia law for in some districts it was as
good as could be. The most important object which
they could attain would be to establish the militia on
aproper and firm basis; and if they could do that it
would be one of the most important objects that had
ever been effected This convention will have tremen-
dous effect on the Legislature, who will look upon its
proceedings with the greatest interest. He moved
that the resolutions be attended to by the convention
itself, and n0tbe referred to the committee.
General FULLERTON said he regarded the aboli-
ton Of the per capita tax as great injury to the
militia. 1t would impose heavy burthen on those
who ought to be exonerated. The per capita tax,
well carried out, would yield about $50 900 yearly
The Legislature would not appropriate Onehalf Of
that ptoed When the schools and col
will not receive any. Those men who have dis,
charged other duty should be exonerated from all
duty therefore, if the tax is abolished, the militia
will become extinct 1t is said that the property Of
the State does not support this tax. Is It not right
for those who have not discharged their duty in any
way, to pay the small sum of seventy-ive cents per
year to exonerate them from it By the constitution
pirate any sum unless for some important and speci
fled purpose; therefore, they need not look for sup
port from that quarter, if the per capita tax is abo
lshed. II they could draw large sums Of money
", u, Dt, u
fine military force.
Major-G General RANDALL rose for the purpose of
moving that Colonel Van Vechten be allowed to
make q few remarks.
CHAIRMAN-The motion is out Of order. The one
in order is the reference OF the resolution to the
mittee. The objections, however, were waived.
= Colonel VAN VECHTEN then rose and said, that
although he did not belong to the association he felt
deep interest in the proceedings He then went
on to say that it utterly impossible for them to
obtain an appropriation. Even if our Legislature
was so benign as to grant it to them, the one next
year would in all probability, refuse it. Thus it
FER capita tax, well enforced, would not only have
the desired effect, but complete enrolment Of the
militia would follow. If the prison debt law was in
force they could easily get along. The rich man,
pays the paltry sum of fifty cents only to get clear
of military duty, while the poor man, who has not
shirt to his back, is compelled to pay as large sum.
General FULLERTON begged leave to differ with
the above gentleman. The poor man, as DR.. Frank
lin sad is WORTH if he is abe-boded about 81 900.
Uaughter) The rich man builds the hospitals,
opens the schools and, in time of war; loses severely
when the poor man does not,
Colonel VAN VEcHTEN-The great difficulty is,
that the people at large do not know what the militia
is. He did not blame them, for at present it would
take good lawyer to find out what the militia
1t was question of long debate at the Legislature,
at Albany, last winter, as to whether the Governor
had right to consolidate regiments or not. So it is
very difficult for the masses Of the people to know
mucn ABOUT tnc militia Vi tnelr otlte tne per
cop,ta tax is only gathered, there would be funds
sufficient to defray all the expenses
The question on referring the resolutions of Col.
Scroggs to the committee appointed for that purpose,
was ,HHen taken up and carried The following gen.
tlemen were theu appointed by the chairman that
committee :-Gelicral Randall Colonel Willard,
Major General Blanchard General Burnside, Colonel
Tyler, and General Fullerton.
Colonel SEWARD then offered q resolution that
committee of members of the convention be ap-
pointed to cooperate with the Military Committee Of
of the treasury of the association. This resolution
was referred to the Committee on Resolutions.
General FULLERTON then offered a resolution,
which was referred to the committee, in whose re-
port it will be found embodied.
Colonel VAN VECHTEN said he thought Chat Gen.
Fullertons resolution was the best way Of doing the
business. He then offered resolution, which wa,
also referred to the committee.