The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-07
Governor Ramseyss Usurpataons-He
has NO Power 70 Appoint Omcers
for Our Volunteers I'm the Service
Of heSUnited States.

yer up his original design. After making
the best use he could of military commits
sions, he succeeded in corupting but two
or three members at the Legislature
So palpable were his designs, and SO
disguised were the honorable men of that
body with his official degradation, that
they amended the militia laws of the State,
so as to deprive him of this corruption fund
and capital, in the military line.
The law passed by the late extra session
secures the election Of company officers,
in all the military organizations of the
State, in the hands af the members of the
companies, and confers the right to elect
Majors, Lieutenant Colonies, and Colonies
upon the company officers. That law be-
ing now in force, Governor RAMSEY has no
more authority to appoint officers Of the
regiments in the service of the United
States, than has General POPE, cor any
other man.
His attempt to usurp this authority is a
palpable violation of the laws of the State,
which he has sworn to obey and maintain
"a fragrant usurpation.
1t is his duty, under the law, to order
an election of field officers in the new regi-
ments, that require such officers. Why,
we call upon him to say, does he not do so?
Why this delay?
Many of the soldiers in SIBLEY's camp
are in rags, and suffering for the want of
clothing and shoes to protect them from
cold and storm, and yet this corrupt and
heartless official, turns deaf ear to their
complaints, without the slightest sympathy
for their sufferings, or the least compunc-
ton of conscience or feeling of shame, in
contemplating of his own wicked and cruel
purpose.
These outraged soldiers, who offer their
lives for the defense of their country, can
not get their clothing before the appoint
ment of regimental officers to receipt for
the same. RAMSEY, knowing the law, does
not proclaim it, but intending to usurp au-
thority, and violate its plain provisions,
may postpone the commission Of this crime
until after the election, when he hopes to
secure, as the reward of his premeditated
perfdy, sufficient number of votes in the
next legislature, to accomplish his election
to the United States Senate!
We, however, greatly mistake the tenn
per of the people of Minnesota, if they do
not rebuke this villainy in a manner that
will make Governor RAMSEY feel, that, of
all men who have ever enjoyed their conf
dence and favor, he is the most forlorn,
helpless and despised.
A few days will reduce him to this de-
plorable condition; and then, perhaps, he
will consent to obey the law, and order or
permit an election of field officers for the
regiments of Minnesota volunteers now
unorganized for want of them.
For the benefit of our Minnesota volun-
teers who may not be informed on this
subject, we call attention to the law which
governs the appointment of officers of the
volunteer militia, when mustered into the
service of the United States. The Consti-
tuition Of the United States provides, in
Section 1, Article s, "for calling forth the
militia to execute the laws of the Union,
suppress instructions and repel invasions,
reserving to the States respectively the
appointment Of the officers"
State troops, when called into the ser
vice of the United States, have, in all our
wars, and in every State, been differed
according to the militia laws of the States,
respectively. To this rule there is not,
and never before has there been, an ex-
ception. This man RAMSEY is the first,
who, so far as known, has ever contem-
plated violation of the United States
Constitution and State law, in this regard.
Will he dare persist in the design of usurp-
lily duIIioiICy III oii0 PuiPo00 VI PuiCltoiilS
a seat in the United States Senate Will
he continue to disregard the following
plain sections of the law
Sec G. Whenever the office of any field
officer in any regiment or battalion is vacant
the senior officer of such regiment or battalion
shall cause a written or printed notice to be
served on each commissioned officer in such,
regiment or battalion, of an election to fill the
the vacancy. The notice shall specify the time
and place of holding the election, and be served
at least ten days before such election shall take
place.
SEC. Z. Whenever the office of captain or
subaltern in any company or troop is vacant,
the senior officer of such company or troop shall
cause written or printed notice of an election
to fill the vacancy to BE served on the members
of such company or troop at least six days before
the election shall take place, and shall specify
in such notice the time and place of the cleo
ton.
Sec. IA. The Commander-in-Chief shall
issue commissions to all officers duly elected or
appointed in pursuance to the provisions of this
act, without fee or charge for any such COM
mission.
The above sections have been in force