The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-02-13
Legislative Summary.

ton was received from the Adjutant General
in reply to joint order Of the Legislature
asking for any reasons that might be in his
possession or any papers in his office, explain
ing why the Militia officers were not commits
stoned. saying that there were no papers in
his Office or elsewhere within his knowledge
or control, Of the character specified. "Blank'
for said commissions were prepared immedi'
aiely upon the ordering Of elections, and II
being my official duty to complete and issue
them in the absence of express instructions
from the Commander. in Ghetto the contrary,
I should forthwith have attended to that
duty had such Instructions been withheld.
The subjoincd extract from my forthcom-
ing annual Report for 1862 (nOw in press,)
was submitted by me TO Governor Washburn,
prior TO the expiration Of his official term,
and being returned without mark or CON-
msnt, or any expression of dissent to any
part or portion thereof, may be regarded us
reasons satisfactory to him for Withholding
said commissions.
The extract alluded to gives as reasons
WHY officers were not commissioned.
ls.. Our Militia law requires four lieuten-
ants for each company for every arm OF the
service, while government recognizes but
two. A difficulty has already occurred from
this conflict Of the laws.
End. The necessity for four lieutcnants is
not acknowledged by military men,
Sd. Remonstrances Of the highest respect
liability in point Of numbers and character
against the commissioning Of some OF the
officers for substantial reasons, were forwar-
ded to tho Commander-in-Chief soon after
their election. The hearing Of the remon-
s.rants and the adverse parties in each case
being in the nature Of judicial proceeding,
involving much time and expense, the expe-
diency Of entering upon this work at that
time. to the prejudice Of duties of the great
est Importance, was exceedingly doubtful.
4th. The expense of issuing and recording
between 5000 and 1000 commissions.
The extract concludes:
"whilc no one Of the reasons above given
might warrant the adoption Of this policy,
the united force Of them all seemed to justify
no other alternative
On motion of Mr.. Woods tho communica-
ton was laid on the table. .....
Mr.. Roberts. from tho Committee on Mer-
camille Affairs and Insurance, reported an
act to incorporate tho Baldwin Mutual Fire
Insurance Co; also an act to incorporate
Portland Grain Warehouse Co. ...,.
On motion of Mr.. WIcGN:
Ordered, that the Secretary Of the State
DO requested to lay before the Legislature
whatever circumstances or other papers
which may be in his Office relating to the
non-commissioning Of tho officers Of the un-
uniformed militia. and also all facts which
may be in his possession relating to tho same.
In the house debate was had in relation
to the affairs Of the Land Office.
In the Senate. Jan. Goth, no business Of
Importance was transacted. In the House
the order for committee TO visit the State
Prison came from the Senate, that body in
sisting upon the passage Of the order. The
House adhered to its vote indefinitely. post
Ioning the same. The affairs Of the Land
Office werc again debated, but the whole
question was tabled, in order to take up the
resolves on National affairs. this being the
day assigned for that purpose.
Tho sams were taken up when Mr.. Kings
bury Of Portland said he had received intel.
lisence Of the illness Of Mr.. Smith of West.
brook, and on his motion the resolves were
tabled. ... ......
In the Senate Jan. 30th message was re-
oeiycd from the Governor. in relation to the
Military Agency at Washington, giving
facts a. to its establishment, and recommen-
ding law to establish the agency and pro-
vide for its support. Referred to the Mill
tary Committee.
A communication was received IRON the
Secretary Of State in reply to Joint Order
OF the Legislature asking for information on
the subject Of nome commissioning Of the OH
GERS Of the un-uniformed Militia, saying
that there were no papers in his Office or with
In his control on the subject, and that as the
matter in no manner pertains to the depart
mens Of which no Is the head. there are no
facts in his possession relating to the matter.
Mr.. wiOclS offered the following order.
Ordered, That the Governor BE- requested
10 lay before tho. Legislature any papers
which may DO in his possession and any facts
which may DO within his knowledge rela-
tins 70 the accommodating OF the unu-
informed Militia.
The order was debated at length by Sem
ssors wiggin, Spring and Morrow and then
passed without opposition. r,,
In the House the most Of the time was Ia
ken upin considering contested election cases
Jan. 3lst, in the Senate the resolve author