Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1855-12-27

III tion was Cuiru W oiuct py hdJof'oenci"i
Burnside, upon whose nomination Col
Brown, of the Light Infantry, wns elected
temporary Chairman, and Capt Socum, OF
the Mechanic Rifles, was elected temporary
Secretary.
Il On motion of Brig. Gen. Pi,man, a Com
mttee, consisting Of one from each Brig
ade, was ele' ted to nominate list Of per-
manent officers for the Convention.
II The Committee consisted of Col. Thos.
B. Carr, of the lst Brigade Col. Wingate
Hayes, of the I'd Brigade /; Lieutenant
Abram C. Hall, of the Sd Brigade Col.
William Bodfish, of the 4th Brigade Col.
VIM. r.. Barton, of the 9Th Brigade.
II The Committee nominated the following
list of officers for the Convention and they
were unanimously elected, viz.
y For President Major General A. e.
i Burnside.
For Vice Presidenis-lst Brigade
Surgeon Henry E. Turner I'd Brigade
Brig. Gen. Joseph =. Pitman Sd Brigade
Lieut.. Abram Z. Hall T; 4th Brigade
Lieut.. Col. Clarke 9th Brigade-Sergeant
d. A. Peloubct
For Secreiaries-Ordcrly Sergeant Sui
Ivan Ballou, OF Woonsocket Guards, and
Major Thomas S. Anthony, Of National
Cadets.
Major Gen. Burnside, upon taking the
chair, briefly stated his object in calling the
Convention to be desire to concilate. Tho
feeling Of the several companies compos-
ing the volunteer militia of the State, and
to induce the General Assembly to pass
such an act as will enable the companies
to unite in regular system OF organisation,
and such as will support them in such an
organization.
II Brig. Gen. Pitman then offered a series
of resolutions, expressive OF his views OF
what was especially needed t" be establish
ed by the laws Of the State.
Il The Resolutions elected general but
friendly expression of views from the vari-
Gus delegations comprising the Conven-
II ion.
Il The Resolutions a, adopted were as
II follows:
/ RESOLVED, That in the opinion of this
II Convention the best interests OF this State
demand such an organization of the militia
was will give instruction in the military
art to the citizens, and furnish an available
and efficient force for the support Of the
civil authorities.
II 2 RESOLVED. That one of the most
efficient modes of instruction in the mill
tary art is the formation OF military camp,
composed of the miltray OF the State, for
a period of not less .han four days in each
year, and the General Assembly Of this
State is respectfully requested to pass an
act which shall require all the Companies
in the State to encamp together Tor that
period and which shall provide for pay.
ment of one dollar and fifty cents per day
per man to the troops assembled for that
time !; and that they shall be furnished with
camp equipage, rations, forage, transpo'-
taton, and such other articles as may be
necessary, at the expense Of the State.
i 3. RESOLVED, That the duty to bear arms
is one which is imperative upon every
citizen, and no citizen should be exempt
therefrom except for past military service
or physical inability, or some official posi-
ton held by him which i, inconsistent
Herewith, unless he pay to the State n
commutation tax, and that the proceeds Of
such tax should be appropriated to the sup
port of the militia and the purchase OF
property for the State.
II 4. Resolved, That all citizens who are
in commission or members of chartered
military companies ought to be exempt
from military jury. III
II 8. Resoiued, That every person who
enrolls himself in any chartered military
company ought not TO be discharged there
from until he shall have performed five
years service or be transferred to some
other company or have received commis-
sion, unless discharged by the proper
authority.
II 6. RESOLVED, That the Governor ought
to have power to discharge any 1ofIicer Of
the militia in his discretion subject only to
the finding Of Court Martial.
Il During the progress Of the discussion
upon the resolutions, Governor Hoppin at
tend the Conve nton, and freely expressed
his views upon the various points raised,
and pointed out the course which he
thought the General Assembly would.pur
sue, which was that desired by the re.o-
luiions as adopted.
\ On motion Of Gen. Pitman, committee
was elected to propose amendments to the
milli,a law Of tho State, and report them
u to an adjourned meeting Of the convention.