The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-02-16
introduction 40 the
ADJUTAMT GENERATE REPoR9,
lis E1celieacy, WLLIAI BiGLcG,

Gocernor Of Pennsylvania:
SIR Il have the honor 10 submit TO your
Excrllency the following report of the condi-
ton Of the militia of the Commonwealth for the
wear 1854. regret, however, TO have to STATE
that it is by no means as full and accurate as it
should be, owing 10 the fact that whilst some Of
the officers upon whom the duty devoives Of
making return to this department of govern
mcnt, have totally faded to perform It, others
have only discharged it in part. By reference
10 official papers, find that my able predecrS-
sorS, Generals lawns and KEENAN,, were smi
larly embarrassed in making their reports, and
hence il is evident that further legislation is ne
crsSarv to secure faithful observance Of the
laws pertaining TO the militia.
The act of lS49 REPEALED the existing militia
laws, and the law " hch the Adiu'ant General
was directed Ia submit 10 the next Legislature
was not only not adopted, but no other as sub
sttued for IT.
The Law Of 1922, was, in its general outline
and conceptan good one: and, at least, hai! IN
view, dysirr to conform to the establishment
oi a UEjlortEHy in the system as conirmFiat-
ed BY the constitution. With soaar mQdifca-
tons, II could, IN my olFniou, be adapted 20 the
present wants Of our State.
With all the conflicting ,irws and opinions
that exist upnn this subject, il nay be difficult
10 have any law passed that will much improve
the old one in its main provisions, not that
do not think that II could be improved.
Those who are voluntarily willing to "'pay
solliers," should be required also 10 subject
themselves to the Performance of all reasonable
military duties, and should not, with impauity,
be allowed to turn the system into ridicuie, as
Is too frequently the case now. Limiting the
punishment of those in commission to 10 greater
than that Of being caShirred, there should be no
objection to an officer being arraigned before a
court consisting OF his brother officers, for any
E'npglect Of duiv,'' for ssunoliiccr-kp conduct" !"
or for 'diSohpdience Of the lawful orders Of his
SUPERIOR" and this should not be confined to
'''chen The conimand to Whjch he mHy js{ong
shGH be rARApED." 1t frequently happens that
an officer SO negiects his command as TO 1casfe
1t alcGy, and sometimes il has occurred that
they will not either do duty or resign, and yet
they cannot be reached by law. ! would re-
specially suggest, therefore, that tht Governor
be authorized TO appoint Board OF, say three
officers, whit the Adt, General, TO prepare law
TO BE- submitted TO the next Legislature, aud that
sintIl the further action Of that body, She aw of
lS22 should, for the present, be restored, ex-
crEt so far as it nav have been modified by the
plan IN the act of 1919, for the training Of
those only pho are uniformed, aud by the pay
ment Of ines by those who are disinclined TO
Perform such service.
In l847, while holding the Office Of Adjutant
General under commission from His ExceIencr,
FRANCIS r. SuuNK, had the honor to report
two hundred and seventv-siX thousand and sew
@niy men as the strength OF the militia of the
Commonwealth; and, BY an official communi-
cation from the ordnance department at Wash
ington, bearing date March 80, 1854, was in
1ormed that the State had been regularly credit
ed with its apportionment from 1877 TO 1888,
inclusive. upon the basis Of the report OF lS47,
alluded 10 above. Cur quota amounted to