New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-01-25
MIssIsELPPI STATE CONVENTION.

JACKSON, Jan. %, 1861.
Mr. EdHor--The Convention met ut 10 O'Clock
A. NJ. One Of the most important bills to be acted
upon by the Convention was taken up, viz: the
bill to regulate the military system Of the State
For some days past the Military Board Of Mis-
sissippi has been in session. This Board is formed
by the captain Of each volunteer company in the
State. Tie Committee on Military Affairs ap.
pointed by the State Convention requested a CON
ference with the Board in regard to framing bill
After session of three days an ordinance was
adopted by the Board, which was reported to the
Convention by Mr.. Chalmers, Chairman of the
Committee on Military Affairs.
The propositions Of the bill solicited much dis
cussion in the Convention regarding the pay Of
officers and privates.
Mr. George, of Carroll, moved to amend the 7tIl
section by fixing the pay of officers and prvates
at $l2 per month. He conteHded that the privates
should receive an increase over the pay of the U.
S. army. They were the persons who did the rough
work, drudgery, etc, as well as the principal por
ton Of the fighting. Their duties were more onorous
and arduous than those of the officers, and their
pay should at least be equal The post of a private
soldier was not considered very desirable posi-
ton, while the Offices were easily filled and eagerly
sought AFTER He thought that no distinction should
be made between the officers and prvatcs, othel
than that requisite to preserve perfect military
organization.
Mr. George naid Ills convictions on the subject
we're strengthened and confirmed by conferences
with military officers
Mr. Welch, of NoXubae, said that this was not a
time to be making military experiments. The old
system worked well. Men of the highest rank
position and intelligence have volunteered hereto
fore in the private ranks. He knew that most oi
the officers returned without a copper in their
pockets. He was in favor of retaining the features
which governed the regulations and pay of the
old l. S. army.
Mr.. Gh0lsOn Of Monroe, moved to amend Mr.
Georges amendment by raaking the pay so per
month instead of $l2: 50 that tue poor man enlist
igg as private would receive something like what
he could earn at home. He did not think that 81
per month would be considered as full equivalent
to that. Iu the war with Mexico the volunteers
knew that there was large and rich domain Of
land which was to be given to them as a bounty
At the present time there was no territory 10 be
divided therefore there should be increased nav
Mr.. Anderson of Kinds thought the ranks would
be mostly filed with young unmarried men-the
offices mostly by men of family; and an officer
should receive compensation sufficient to allow
him to support his family. The rate of compensa.
ton heretofore in the army rcceved.by an officer
was mere pittance, and he did not wish to see il
reduced. He hoped that neither of the amend.
mens would pass.
Mr. Flournoy of Pontotoc was opposed to the
amendments. There was a distinction which
should always be observed between the officer and
private. He would prefer entering the army as a
private, with the same pay as au officer than as an
officer with pay the same as a private allowing
the same to be equal in each instance. The re.
sponsblty Of an officer was great, and the anxiety
and care devoving upon him should allow him a
pay higher than that Of a private. The pay of the
U. S. army was the best and highest in the world
and he did not wish the State to fix the pay al
higher rates.
Mr.. Gholson withdrew his amendment.
Mr. George contended that the married private
should be entitled to the same compensation as
married officers. They would be equally as solici
tous about their families. Equality should be car
red out as far as compatible with military subor
dination.
The bill was then ordered to be engrossed, and
will be placed on its passage at IL O'Clock to.
morrow.
The pay of the officers was fixed at the same as
in the United States army and that of the privates
at SIG mouth, together with the rations and clothes
allowed in the United States service.
The resolutions to provide for the formation o
a Southern Confederacy, which passed by a large
majority, are as follows
CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS, NO. 5.
The State Of Mississippi-At a Convention of The
state Of mississippi, began and holden at Jacl;
son, III said St0fe IN the gear Of our Lord 1861
RESOLUTIONS TO PROVIDE TOR THE FORMATION or
A SOUTHERN CoNFEDERACY.-We, the people OF
mississippi in Convention assembled, do declare
and resolve, and it is hereby declared and re
solved
First, That this Convention will, on the day O.
-, at the hour of -, proceed to the election
by ballot, Of seven Delegates, whose duty it shal
be, when elected, to represent the State of Mssis
sippi in n Convention of those States which have
seeded, or which may hereafter secede from the
Government formerly known as the United States
of America
Second, That this Convention receives and
adopts the suggestion that the Convention hereby
contemplated shall meet and hold its session in the
city of Montgomery and the State of Alabama
and that the time for said meeting shall be the first
Monday and the 4th day of February, A D. 1861.
Third That this Convention accepts the sugges.
ton that each of the States seeding from the
Government Of the United States, and concurring
in the formation of a Southern Confederacy by
said Convention, shall be entitled to one vote ii
the said I1non Fuastinno