, 1855-03-31
LAWS OF THE TERRITORY OF WASHINGTON.
BY AUTHORITY.
An ACT to organize the Militia.

AN ACT to organize the Militia.
SIC. !. BE 1t enacted by The Legislature
assembly Of the Territory Of HOshingfon,
That the territory of Washington shall con-
stitute one military district for brigade pur-
poses, in which the Legislature, on joint bal
lot, shall elect a resident citizen thereof,
brigadier general who shall hold his Office
for three years, unless sooner removed by
the Legislature and each council district
in said territory shall constitute one rcgi-
mental district
See. 2. At the next annual election the
legal voters in each council district shall
elect in the usual mode Of electing officers,
one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, and one
major, who shall assemble at such place
within the district as a majority Of them
shall select within three months after their
election, and proceed TO lay of their regi.
mental district into convenient company
districts, containing as near one hundred
white males as may be, between the age Of
fifteen and sixty years capable of bearing
arms, and shall appoint one captain aud
two lieutcnants in each district as officers
therein.
See. 3. Snch captain shall appoint four
seargants and four corporals in each COM
pAny, who shall continue Ia Office ore year.
See. 4. All such officers, except SER
geants and corporals, shall be commissioned
by the governor, and shall continue in Office
for the term of one year, unless bodily in-
trinity or unsoundness Of mind prevent them
from discharging active duty, or they be
removed by court martial for other good
cause.
Sec. 5. In each year every captain sl.all
make out list Of all the persons in his dis
trict subject TO bear arms, and forward
copy thereof TO colonel Of the regiment,
who shall thereupon make ont and forward
TO the brigader general regimcntal re-
turn, showing the number of each rank pp'l
grade composing his regiment 1t shall be
the duty of the brigadier general to report
annually to the governor, the state Of the
militia, the number Of regiments and the
number Of the different rank and grade in
each, together with such other information
as shall be in his possession relating thereto.
Sec 9. The governor and brigudier
general shall, from time to time, prescribe
all rules and regulations not herein provi-
ded, necessary for the calling and cOnduc-
ting courts martial.
See. I. Volunteer companies may be
formed in the bounds Of any regiment un-
der such rules and regulations prescribed
by the colonel thereof and approved by the
brigadier general
Sec. 8. On application Of the board Of
commissioners Of any county by the certi-
fed copy OF their order therefor, the gov
ernor shall cause TO be sent TO such county
at its expense its quota Of public arms.
Sec. 9. Such county commissioners shall
have the care Of all public arms within their
respective counties, and may transfer them
under such regulations as they may pre-
scribe to such volunteer companies, battal-
lions, or regiments, on having the safe keep
ing and return thereof when demanded by
the authorized agent of the board, secured
by bond and approved sureties,
See. 10. The legislature shall elect an
adjutant, quarter master and cOmmisSary
general, and such quarter master general
shall have the custody Of oil public arms
not distributed among the several counties,
and shall preserve the same in good order
in sOmo suitable room at the seat Of gov
ernment until they are legally disposed Of,
for which he shall have reasonable COM
pensation allowed him by the legislative as
sembly.
Sec. IL. All commissioned officers pro-
yided for in this act shall be commissioned
by the governor, and on receiving their
commission each shall take an oath TO be
endorsed on the back thereof before an Of
fccr authorized to administer oaths, that
he will support the constitution Of the Uni
ted States, and faithfully discharge the du-
tics of his Office according to law.
Sec. ~. The governor shall fill all va
cancies caused by death, absence, resigna-
ton or other disability of officers mentioned
in this act and in regimental or company
districts where the people fail to elect Off
GERS provided for by this act, it shall be the
duty of the governor to fll such vacancies
by appointment.
See l3. If any person elected to an
Office provided for in this act shall fail to
qualify within thirty days after his appoint
ment or election, the Office shall be deemed
vacant, and it shall be competent for the
governor to fill the same by appointment
Sec. IA. Nothing in this act shall be so
construed as to prevent companies from
electing their own officers after they have
organized.
Passed January 26, 1855.
Don't you remember old Towser, dear
Kate! Old Towser, so shaggy and kind /;
How he used to lay, day and night by the
gate, And seize interlopers behind?