Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-11-05


abstract of the discussion had in the
House on Saturday, upon the Militia Bill
introduced by Mr.. Dorr:
Mr.. Dorr Of Rutland, called up House militia
bill.
lie said that II would perhaps be expected by the
House that the committee on military affairs on
presenting this bill, should give some OF their rca-
sons for so doing. BY examing the laws OF the
state the committee had found law for the en-
rollment Of the militia, but for no further par-
pose.
1t is now provided that if mar seeks to be
empt he must goAbefore the examining board, and
pay his dollar In case the report OF the board is
wrong, there is no provision enabling the man to
get back his money. This bill proposes TO correct
that error
This present law also allows a man obviously
disabled TO stay at home and not 90 before the ex.
amining board at all. This leaves the report Of
our able bodied militia too large in the adlutant
generals office. This bill proposes to amend that.
The public feeling seems to demand an active or
ganization of the militia. This bill provides for
fifty companies OF the minimum number OF e'ghiy-
three mea each, and leaves it to the option OF the
present uniformed companies whether TO come
into this present organization or not.
The bill divides the militia into two classes ac-
tive and reserved. Recruiting officers are appont-
ed to call for volunteers to raise companies, un-
der the direction of the adutant and inspector
general. If they DO not volunteer, then draft is
TO be m ide to NIL up tine companies.
The ae i've militia is to be armed, uniformed,
and equipped at the expense OF the state.
| The bill further provides for the establishment
| of armores
sustaining after its organization is provided for in
| the pill. Every of the reserve militia is to
4 pay one dollar annually. 1t seemed to him high
| iy proper that this should be so.
| He would say that from the best information OF
1 the committee, the first expense of this militia
/ will be from one hundred and sixty TO two hun
/ dred thousand dollars. This does not rccur an
nually. The question is, shall we now, under the
| present emergency, pay this expense. When 1T
Is once paid it is paid forever, and eur homes will
have means of defense. Perhaps this expense
| will take twenty cents on the grand list 1t is
| thought by many OF our best men that such q
4 paitry expense ought not to be thought of for
moment when we consider the benefits conferred.
He would not say that the bill was perfect, but
It attempted to bring about q desirable Object
1 He thought mus answer the demands of the
| people. Who would say that he would not give
1 this triifng expense to have, in the bosom of the
State, sucn aim of defense rs the present con-
dition and circumstances OF the state and country
| seem to demand
| Mr. handler of Woodstock said he was in fa-
vor Of the object of the bill. There was only two
provisions in the bill that he was opposed to.
Une was the draft and the other was that the bill
i provides for too large an active force. He would
reduce it to about two regiments, or twenty-five
4 companies.
The 9th section provides tax Of one dollar Der
| man Of the reserved militia. He was unable to
| see the Justice of that. If the state cannot or
will not sustain the militia then let il go. Is
there any reason why young man, enrolled,
| should be Obliged to pay. and an old man like my
self relieved from it! He could no. see it. and
| was unwilling to vote himself clear. 1t is es.ima-
ted that there will be some thirty or thirty-fye
thousand militia men, Some fifteen thousand Of
them have gone, and maintained thus far the in
tegrity Of the Union. They ought not 10 be sub
| jected to this tax. He therefore moved to strike
| cut section nine Of this bill.
Mr. Dorr opposed it He said it was the inter-
est of all the enrolled militia to have active
organization. Now, if part Of them relieved
| is it a burden on them to paw for the labor Of
those in the active force This provision is like
and part pay in money. The part who do not
labor should pay for the labor Of the otner part.
1 Mr.. Rounds of Chester concurred with the
! gentleman from Woodstock to strike out section
| nine. A millionaire eighty years old, has his
/ property protected by the militia, and yet you
| make tie poor man Of twenty one pay for it. If
we need militia at all, it is to protect property
| and people from insurrecton and invasion. Then
| let those who are benefited pay the expense. He
| thought if we were to hav, organized militia
at all, the smaller we got it the better. One regi
1 ment would be better for US, under the circum-
/ stances than two or three
/ Mr.. Bruce Of Pomfret thought the ninth Sec
| ton an inducement to men to go into the
| tive miiitias His experience with militia was that
men would keep out Of the active oiganization if
| they could. Wewant some such inducement
this. If the bill passes, shall not, he feared
| get more than one or two regiments at the most
Mr.. Fishsr of Vergennes said he was in favor
Of the organization Of the militia, but he OPP
posed TO section nine, and to the idea of making
| the militia self-su5talning. He thought two or
three regiments was as small a number as we
| ought to organize.
| Mr.. Deane said he had not had time to examine
1 the bill attentively, and many others had not he
| therefore moved that the bill and amendment be
! ordered to lie and made the special order for
| Monday af ernoon next at three o'clock agreed
/ to 107 to Is.