Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-05-18
The MpItia.

AT the last session of the Legislature there was
passed law regulating volunteer companies and
the militia. of very general interest. IN the
sketches ofthe acts'' prepared by the clerk ol
the House of Delegates is the following synopsis
of this law: n
''An act, providing for the enrolment of the mi
litia by the Commissioners of tire Revenue, the
abolition Of musfers and a Reorganization OF the
volunteer corps.
The several Commissioners shall annually
make out an alphabetical roll of all persons in their
districts, between eighteen and forty-five years.
liable to be enrolled under the laws Of the United
States, with the regiment and company to which
each person belongs, The adiutant general to
prepare the rolls and attach instructions TO COM
missioners The said rolls, when made out, to be
filed in the clerks office, with an affidavit by the
commissioner of its correctness the oath to be ad-
minstered by justice without compensation
All masters (or mistresses) of any house, public or
private, shall give the names of persons residing
with them liable to be enrolled, with other proper
information. If any person, when required, ro.'
fuse to give information or falsely give 1t, he shall
pay ten dollars for each person concerning whom
enquiry is made, or whose name was concealedOr
Improperly given. Said fine to be recovered be-
of the regiment Said rolls to be open to inspec-
tion for one month without fee The clerk OF the
court, when required by the commandant OF CON-
pany or colonel OF regiment shall annually make
out roll of all persons SO enrolled In any compa-
nv district and shall forward to the adjutant gen.
eral, within two months after the filing of said
rolls, return of the strength Of each regiment In
his county, city or town. The form Of the return
to be furnished by the adjutant general. The ad-
iutant general shall annually consolidate the re-
turns of the clerks, superintendent OF the Virginia
Military Institute, and eommandant oil the Public
Guard and on or before the first Monday in No
vembor, make out return to the Governor OF the
condition of the militia, with the ordnance, arms,
equipment, &c., specifying those in the hands Of
the volunteers and those in arseDas or magazines,
\ "When company is without commissioned
officer. the eommandant of the regiment to detail
any officer to fill the vacancy until an election is
held. The cavalry aad artillery not belonging 10
any volunteer battalion, shall compose one regi-
ment of cavalry and artillery.
..From the lst to the 18th section, Inclusive, Of
the 25th chapter the 2Sth chapter; the 10Th
section from the 18th to the 29th section, incln-
sye, and from the 33d to the 5lst section iaelu-
sive, of chapter so; and from the Sd to the 10Th
section, inclusive, of the 3lst chapter are repeal
ed, except in cases of war, insnrrectiof or inya-
sion. The 5th. 9th 9TH and 10th sections Of chap
ter 26th Of the Code are repealed.
1.-Two or more volunteer companies, agreeing 80
be mustered together, shall constitute battalion
and elect major; four or more may constitute a
battalion and elect lieutenant colonei and MAJOR
six or more may constitute regiment and elect q
colonel, lieutenant colonel and major. Which
officers shall be commissioned by the GoyerRo,
and rank above officers of like grade in the llsc
The field officers of volunteer regiments to be e.
lected by the commissioned officers. The lazy
further provides who shall constitute the stan IN
the battalions and regiment. Companies Of arti-
lery and cavalry drilling with carbines or mus
kets, may unite with infantry n the formation Ct
battaons or regiments subject to the orders OF the
officers or may unite and form aattalions or squad
rons as infantry may now do. The officers con-
ducting the election of field officers, to report the
fact, with an affidavit, to the Governor: at such
elections, majority of commissioned officers to
constitute quorum. The adjutant general to
number such volunteer regiments or battalion; and
when disbanded the next organized regiment or
battalion to take the number of the oae disband-
ed. The commadant Of each company to make
return of its strength &C., to the adjutant Of the
reginent or battalion on the morning OF the mus
ter the adutaut, within ten days thereafter, to
make return to the cemmandant of the regiment
or battalion; such returns to be countersigRed By
him annually and reportedto the adjutant geaeral.
The form of returns shall be prescrbedby the adj
iutant general. Volunteer companies hereafter to
be organized, and hold elections under the super
intendence Of any field officer Of the militia OF vol
uRteers.
"Musters of volunteer regiments and battalicns
shall be annually in April, May or jane and OF
each company, four other days, to be prescribed
by the courts of enquiry of the battalion and regl-
ment; and Independent companies, i've tunes IN
each year. The companies, &C., to be kept on
duty three hours. Notice of time ard place OF
repimental or battalion masters, to be advertised
fifteen days at the places of company musters.-
Commissioned officers to be drilled three days pre-
vious to reeimental musters, and two days previ-
ous to battalion musters, when musicians may DO
employed at two dollars per day. Courts OF en-
nirv in battaons of four, to consist OF field Of
Rcers and commandants of companies; OF less than
four. the same officers. together with first lleu-
tenants; in Independent companies, the commls-
stoned officers The senior officer present to, be
president. At such courts clerk may be appoint
ed by the commandant. The powers of the court
are as now prescribed, and their decisions final
The clerks, adjutants, and paymasters to be paid
from the monies of the regiment, battalion or COM
pany. The clerk shall take an oath of Office keep
q record of the proceedings, and make out tickets
of fines, to be placed in the hands of the sheriff
before the 18th of July each year, taking his re-
CENT The sheriff to collect and pay said fines to
the paymaster, and for failure to DO SO, may DC
proceeded against on his official bond. He shall
make affidavit of such as he believes cannot DO
collected, and if he uses due diligence ne shall be
relieved from the payment. The penalty OF the
bond of a paymaster in regiment or battalion @ OF
four companies, shall be not less than S2OU; OIL
battalion of less than four not less than iOU dol,
lars: of an independent company, not less than ~
dollars such bonds May be proceeded against IN
anv court or before any justice. No moneys to be
disbursed but by order of a court Of enquiry II
anv battalion or regiment agree to 60 into camp for
fonr consecutive days, he fact being certified by
the adjutant general, the companies composing
such battalion, &C., shall be exempt from tnree
company musters during the year, and the Go!-
ernor may furnish wall and common tents to said
regiment and battalion.
"Musters are not abolished or the mode Of ma
king returns changed during the present year; but
there shall be no musters of the militia, except
volunteers. after the month Of June in the present
year."
CONSUMPTION OF ToBAcco.-If the population
of the earth betaken at one thousand millions, anc
the consumption reckoned as equal to that Of Inc
kinodom,o Denmark, or seventy ounces neao,
the produce of the whole world VIII amount 'e
near two millions of tons q ,953, l25) year.I
SEVENTY ounces a head. ofcourse, far exceeds the