The New York herald., 1862-01-16
so carbins siings and swivels, and
~s0a r<uok.so

oV Cal UNIV siiu8s ana sWivob, ana
o45 rife muskets.
inspection have been received from the First
sades and from portions OF tho Fifth Tenth and Seven
teenth brigades.
The following named inspecting ofcsrs have, pursuant
20 osz OF she General Rsgustioas reported -
Major Robert Taylor, First brigade.
Malor Robert Taylor, Second brigade.
Major Robert Taylor, Fourth brigade.
MAJOR 4. w. Lewis, Sixteenth brigade.
MAYOR James L. Gilbert, Nneteenth brigade.
The following named general officers have pursuant TO
OF ami o2s Of the General Regulations made
the required reports, namely
MAJOR Gen. Charles w. Sandford First division.
MAJOR Gen. s. 8. Burnside Fifth division.
Colonel Edward Hncken, commanding Second brigade.
Brig Gen Henry A. samson Eighth brigade.
Brig. Gen. Darius Allen, Tenth brigade
Brig Gen. g. G. +. Thorndike, Fifteenth brigade.
Several important and interesting questions have arisen
relating TO the status Of regiments Of militia which have
extent to which the militia laws Of the State apply 70
them whilst in service These questions proceeds the
General in an able opinion in tho case Of disputed
election in Company A, Fourteenth regiment N. Y s. NJ.
and the following conclusions arrived which win
govern the decisions Of this department in parallel cases.
l. That militia regiment entering the service for the
war, under proclamation Of the President volun-
tssrs in with the ast Of l7o2 ioses
Tor tho time is militia character and u sdbjeot to such
q ::s ss the
control over 1t beyond that Of ng vacancies among s
0fdcers.
T. THAI the resgnason Of an osDcsr Of milt. rsr,.
ment in the volunteer service his position q
volunteer oncer but not his militia commission which,
the expiration OF the Of service and return Of the
rank.
It is important that commissions a volunteers should
DO at once issued to the officers Of all militia regiment
IN service and until they receive them they their
position by virtue Of their right 10 claim such commits
than on tho strength OF those they hold In the
militia and, furthermore questions rank are set
tied By the date OF commissions, militia commission
ing would take precedence over all the volunteer ON
GERS OF the same grade. which ID absurd.
!. a. The remains Of militia regiment where most Of
the ohcers and men have volunteered for the and
left the State, occupies anomalous position. Its num-
bers may be reduced that there be compliance
with the rules and regulations governing the militia
vice. in Of insurrection invasion would IL be
possible for such organization render effective
vice. In Of this kind the district might be declared
vacant the officers holding commissions rendered SUPER
numersry, and Q regiment organized. Unless, how
the safety Of the State should require action
the places OF these patriotic citizens absent temporarily
and in the service OF the should be retained
for them until their return.
THE QUESTION sxTnxD.
The Adjutant General asserts that the above brief
analysis Of the Judge Advocate General Of
the Questions which have occurred in connection with
posed Of organized militia That Of rank settled by
General Order No 90 from the War Department, which
fixes from the date Of muster into the "TLts
adhered TO-" continues the report, "wn render Q
militia commission valueless for the object for whh
has been most prized and WILL t Is hoped, induce he
volunteers. Since this opinion was given there have
boon no militia commissions issued In appointments and
promotions Tor these regiments and whenever appLca
ton made commissions as volunteers will be Issued to
the officers, as your Excelency has directed"
HroH1Axr PROPOSITIONS YoR I'M REORGANIZATION OF rm
large portion Of the report Is devoted TO the c,ns
itia on basis essentially diersnt from that provided
In the law Of 1872 This necessty assers the Adrtant
General has become apparent After reviewing the
y history Of our militia system, aud after assuming s
nadequacy TO meet the emergencies Of the
and The wants Of the govcrnmsnt tho Adutant General
declares that we must free the system from M present
defects. increase standing army employ voun-
tsers.
Replying q some length TO these several propostons
the Adutsnt General finally concludes submit the
lowing suggestions TO his Excellency the Governor for
his Az the subject involves questions Of
the highest importance TO the future welfare and perma
nencs Of our militia system, We intrenoh upon our
umns IN order 70 lay those important
rm NEW MILITIA PROGRAMME voR I'M STATE OF NEW Yosx
l. The study Of tactics and instruction military drills
IN oy. higher M schools and seademss BY di6asine
soldier and under circumstances whers could be &C.
quirod with but little loss OF sme would be Of great ad
Is
INSTRUCTION At the company and rsgmenta drills which
cities, whore certain degree OF esprit dU corps main
tanned We find companies and even regiments In every
respect well drilled and disciplined but this only
complished At sacrifice Of time which renders II bur
den, and which might In great degree be avoided by
would be conducive to health and far from being
considered an onerous task would be preferred 10 light
and frivolous amusements
formation Of companies in the several Of
vice. Out Of total population, between tho ages Of
eighteen and forty fve liable TO bear arms Of hun
dred and sixty thousand less than twenty thousand
compose the whole number OF the organized militia the
State or sixtythrec regiments into which this force Is
divided, than onshaif has nothing beyond bare
organization TO distinguish them from tho great Of
the unorganizsd militia. Deficient In accoutrs
ments, no less than In drill and discipline they are
neither prepared render efficient the nsd
10 make credabls at the stated inspections
disposition on the part 81 our citizens 70 connect them
selves with the militia service but 1t s owing TO the want
Of all encouragement from the State Tho cost Of main
taning such military establishment safety
qures should be public charge and yet In consequence
Of the nderence both Of the State and general govern
support Tho negligence OF the State has been closely
initiated by tho civil officers, and the commutaton
uot v,sd ESQ 90" ns coscson ~ sSs sSna 90
enforced by stringent rules and beyond this hore
should be reasonable appropriation annually TO be dis
bursed under proper checks and restrictions In the pay
mont Of such charges the State justly and honoraby
bound The necessary for th purpose
should be provided by general tax the principle that
military organization Of this character is 20 be con.
sidered safeguard to life and property whenever
coercion Of laws is insufficient The whole policy, in
short should be changed and instead Of being regarded
with Indifference tho militia system should be recognized
at important and necessary institution, and
entitled TO as much care as those of q civil character
g. How much may admire tho elective prnci-
pie when applied to civil Offices IL questionable whether
can be successfully carried out In military organization,
and obstacle 10 the Improvement Of militia
the provisions Of section article H. Of the constitution
Of 1916 Tho perfection Of any military system depends
the absolute nature OF the authority BY which 1t
controlled proposition with which the provision making
military of elective s in direct conflict No officer
who owes his position 10 the vote Of those whom he
10 to command act with that paramount re-
gard TO the interest Of the service which Is
promote its highest Nor Ia the elective princ
pie any less preudicia to the welfare of soldier
Experience has fully demonstrated that the choice Of
governed more by personal preferences than by
any regard 10 rea merit or proficiency and when expe-
the field has brought the real character Of
the they have chosen they find often place
OF the experienced ecer thoroughly acquainted with
his duties At least capable Of learning them, total
incanacity nined 10 total disreRard Of