St. Mary's beacon., 1861-07-18

Ihe Following no the able report pre-.
pared BY Hon. Thomas J. McKaig, chair
man Of the Senate Committe on the Judi
cisry. and signed BY himself and the Hon.
Oscar Miles, and which has been adopted
BY both branches Of the General Assem-
bly,. together with the resolution attached |:
r The Committee on Judicial Proceedings,
to whom Was referred the Message Of ths
Governor, Of the 5th of June inst, in
answer to an order of the Senate. asking
him Ito furnish the Senate With . state
inent Of the facts which induced him to
reclaim the arms formerly contided to GER
tain military companies Of Baltimore city.
also with the reasons why said arms wer.
sent by his order to Fort McHenry." beg
leave to report
That after having given the questions
involved in the message and orders of the
Governor full and careful consideration,
they are satisfied that the Governor had
no authority Of Inv to issue such orders,
or to dispose Of the arms of the State in
the manner he has done.
by the eight Article Of the Code, two
ar'nories arc established in the State, one
at Easton. and the other At Frederick.
1t 10 made the duty Of the Governor. by
and with the advice and consent Of the
Senate. to appoint, bicnnially, an Armor-
er at Frederick, and an Armor.r At Eas-
ton. to take charge Of and keep in repair
and ht for use. al public arms and acccu-
trcments in those armories. The Armo-
rers are each required 70 give bond, with
security. for the faithful discharge of
their duty.
There is no charge. on the part Of tho
Governor. that the armories had been
robbed, or that the Ar,norers had not
done their duty; but he does say that the
State, in addition to pecuniary loss, has
been deprived Of the profession designed
to her citisens BY the purchase II said
arms. tot
It Is manifest. however, to your Com
mittee. that the loss referred to BY the Gov
esnor, Was sustained to the State by the
neglect Of the Governor aud Adiussnt
General to comply with the positive re-
quirement of the ast Of the 27th Rcbrusr,y.
1850, chapter 168, which made Il their
duty that. when the arms were o 'au1. ps1r.-
chased, they should ''be Deposited n the
armories Of the State, snd distributed by
the Adjutant General according 10 tie
mode prescribed, to Ae .ereral rolxasser
companies Of tie State. Nos distributed
BY the Governor NOR by his order, bu.
By the adjutant General not 70
individual citixens--for neither the Adiu-
tant General nor Governor has .ny power
70 distribute the arms Of the State among
individual citizens. though the Goveruor
has illegally issusd such orders, but. ITO
the several volunteer companies Of the
State."-
By the eth section Of the eiehth Ami
Gle OF the Code. It j. made the duty Of the
Quartern,aster General, and the Brix,d,a.
and Regineutal Qaartermasters, vhenev-
er they have reason to telieve that any sf
the public arms are not properly preserved,
o. have fallen into the posssssibn Of thos,s
Who have no right 70 retain den, sueh y
nnunliormed associations of iDdisidualh
or dishanded companies---te ,s.nses ~ &
arms to b seized end ts,usoorted 10 ~
nsarest State ArnsSry. The Stase h.s,
ther.fors. made sn,pls provis;on ioe he
safe keeping Of all the pul,lie ara.s of tie
State. The laws have a-.igsa,sd ,he