The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-02-20
Message from Gov. Coburn.

In the Senate of this State, the Sd inst,
Hon. Joseph i. Hall, Secretary of State,
came in and laid on the tablea message from
HIS Exccllency the Governor, relating to the
non-commissionipg Of the militia oihcerselect.
II reads as follows:
To the Senate and House of Representatives.
In answer to your order requesting me to
communicate to the Legislature whatever
facts may be within my knowledge, and to
Law before the Legislature whatever papers
may be under my control, relating to the
non.commissioning of the officers Of the un-
! uniformed militia. | have the honor to reply.
The militia Of Maine were enrolled under
the orders Of the respective Maj. Generals,
during the months Of April and May last,
in conformity with the provisions Of an act
Of the Legislature approved March 9,lS62.
These enrolled men were, during the months
of July and August last, organized into com.
panies under existing laws, by the choice OF
five officers to each company. These compa
MES numbered six hundred and forty.three
(643) and comprised sixty-nine thousand
one hundred and seventy-two (G9,l72) en-
rolled men, of whom however, several thou
sand were at that time in actual service in
the field. The officers elected by these CON-
panies at the date before mentioned. num-
bered three thousand two hundred and fifteen
(3,2l5.)
The organization of these companies had
been hastily made, without uniformity as to
strength of numbers, the companies varying
from one hundred and sixty (lG0) to as few
as forty (4O) enrolled men. About one half
of their enrolled numbers may be assumed to
represent the number of effective men in
each company at that time. After the or
panization had been made, some twelve thou.
sand (l2,O00) of the best MALTA enlisted
in the service of the United States, reducing
the effective strength OF companies about
one-third part upon an average of the whole.
and taking away a considerable number OF
their most active and competent officers.
In addition to these facts, which submit,
as giving some information upon the subject
of your inquiry, have the honor to lay be-
fore you communication from Ex.Gov.
Washburn, dated at Orono, Jan. 3lst, 1868:
ORoNo, Jan. 3lst, 1868.
HIS ExcELLENcY Gov. CoBURN;
NJ Dear Sir:
think you will find the papers that Sen.
Wiggin asks Tor, among the files in your
room. The fact that there were such remon-
strances as have been referred to in debate
in the Senate, had, an sure, very little in
huence upon the decision to which the Gov
ernor and Council of last year arrived in
reference to commissioning the officers OF the
militia. That some disloyal men might have
been elected was not regarded by me rs SUI.
ficicnt reason for withholding commissions
from the true Us well rs the reasonable. But
the almost certainty that important changes
in the militia laws would be made, the pres
ent winter, either by Congress or the State
Legislature, or by both, rendered il expedient,
rs we belieyed-and in this opinion the Ad-
jutant General concurred-to postpone tho
issuing of commissions until after the session
Of 1868. No practical harm could possibly
come from the postponement, but great In
convenience, embarrassment and expense
might be occasioned il the commissions
should be issued at the time, and 80 the Gov
ernor and Council deemed 1t wise and prudent
to wait the action of the Legislature on this
question. And cannot help thinking that
these considerations will be iayorably regar-
ded by true and loyal men who have nothing
at heart but the good OF the State and coun-
try.
Very truly yours,
ISRAEL WAsnBURN, JR.
find upon the files of this Department
papers alluded to by Ex-Gov. Washburn,
which, upon examination, are found to re-
late to the issue of commissions to certain
officers elect, in each Of thirty-six (3Omilitia
companies.
AS regards eighteen (lS) of these compan-
les, the complaint is the want of loyalty to
the Government, in one or more OF the off,
GERS elect in each company. In ten (lO) OF
these companies, it is charged that the elect
ions were illegal. In five (5) companies, the
omplaint is Of the unftncss for duty, of one
or more officers in each, by reason OF iniirmity
bad temper, or defective education. In one
(l) company, it is said that the officers are
not citizens. Another company is simply
dissatisfied, without alleging reasons. In
the remaining company, it is objected to one
of the officers, that he has been sentenced to
the State Prison.
These papers, which are all Of every de-
scription on Gle touching this matter, do not
in my Judgment, present any reason why the
officers elect of the militia were not gener-
ally commissioned. presume they are not
such papers, rs are contemplated in your
order, and for that reason, with other good
reasons, do not lay them before the Legis-
laturc.
ABNER COBURN.
COUNCIL CHAMBER. Feb. 9. 1868.