The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-01-16
Military Convention.

This body adjourned on Thursday night,
after adopting general plan for the bet
ter organization of the military defences
of the State, which will be embodied in a
memorial to the Legislature. We have
already given some of the details of this
plan. On Thursday night, resolution
was adopted, recommending change in
the mode of electing Major and Brigadier
Generals, so that the field officers of a
Division shall elect the former, and of a
Brigade, the latter.
Col Chancellor, of Loudoun, opposed
the proposition, on the ground mainly
that the change would have tendency to
produce insubordination, and lead to a
pernicious system of electioneering.
Col. Crump, of Amelia, sustained the
resolution, because the change would Sc
cure the selection of efficient officers.
Capt. Dimmock also spoke in favor of the
proposition. 1t the people are to have voice
in the selection of those who make or execute
laws for the protection of property, it was
eminently proper that they should exercise
the same privilege when their lives were at
stake.
Major Lamb, of Norfolk advocated the
change in spirited address. He was opposed
to the system of enirusting politicians with
military of the State.
Col. Farrar, of Amelia, declared that the
present mode of appointing Generals was an
incubus on the militia system of the State.
The resolution was adopted with some only
four or five dissenting votes.
Another proposition which elected an an
mated discussion, WINS a resolution in favor
OF organizing, arming, and equipping two
regiments OF minute men in each division OF
the State, as divided for the election OF Com
mission OF the Board of Public Works, the
object being to have ready throughout the
State, companies of volunteers who, in the
event Of hostilities, could be promptly sum
moned to any quarter, to repel invasion, etc,
and, son arriving at the scene of action,
would be component parts of programmed
battaions or regiments, under the command
OF the senior field officer present, whether
of the volunteers or militia.
Gen. Taliaterro opposed this scheme in the
most earnest manner. He said that its
adoption would be the death blow to both
the volunteer and militia systems, By crea
ting an etate corps, who would alone enjoy
the privilege of being first called into &C.
ton. The State did not need minute men,
ior the volunteers now in service are mo-
Haent- men, and whenever called to the field
could be readily oattalionized, or organized
as regiments. Why should one corps more
than another be entitled by preference, to
the first summons of the field, when all are
equally anxious and eager to respond to the
call? Gen. IT,, in illustrating The alacrity
displayed by the volunteers in the Harper's
Ferry affair, referred to the action of a com
pany in Gloucester county. Their comman-
der, Captain John l.. Carrot. entreated the
Governor to accept their services, and offer
ed to pay all expenses that might be incur
red out OF his pocket,
The scheme was advocated by Capts. Dim
mock, OF Richmond, and Garland, OF Lynch
burg; and further opposed by Co.'s. Taylor
and stuart. The vote was then taken, and
the resolution was rejected by large ma
jority.
Resolutions were adopted in favor of re-
moving the limit to the members of volunteer
companies which may be formed and attach
ed to any regiment;and recommending them
that the minimum number of volunteer
company shall be forty instead OF fifty.
A resolution, reported from the commit
tee, recommending the adoption OF cheap
unitorm-to be made, as far as possible, of
State materials, was received with applause
the latter clause of the proposition being
especially acceptable to the Convention.
The resolution was amended, on motion
of Col Lay, OF pewhatan, by proviso that
the regulation should not apply to compa-
MES eady Uniformed, and in this shape it
was adopted.
Various other schemes OF minor impor-
lance were adopted by the Convention. prior
to the adjournment Richmond Wing.