Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-12-29
Proposition to Ccnscript the three Ycars' Men,

House or REPRESENTATIVES,, Dec. 81, 1863
'Ir. Nil2S from the Military Committee reported
= bill to- continue in service all troops now in the ar
mis- CT the Confederate States.
ar. Miles sa,d that this = measure of extreme
in,ortancc and demanded by tue public exigencieS
The conscri p;ion Law had made Tie term of service
f2r ree,y ears and !hat ti!ie would expire in april
next; hence the necessity Of some legislation. Tn,
less some law were passed continuing these men in
service, the army would become djscrganzed.-
When our brave soldiers knew that il was for the
interest Of the country to 90 Ibis that the safety
OF the nation required ii he felt assured that he
would not hear one word OF discomfort from them.
rs chairman Of the Committee On Military Aifairs
he was iiee to say that he entirely opposed to
reorganization of the army. This vas his position
and hc was willing 10 take the responsibility. He
could appreciate the desire o. those under cruel and
tyrannical officers for organization of the army;
such desire was perfectly natural; hut he believed
that the reorganization Of our army at this time
and in the face of the enemy, would lead to its de-
moralizstion. Tie had always believed it TO have
been fatal in the policy Of the government to
have granted to the army the right Of reelecthg Its
officers lie believed that it was prQdxese more
mischief than good. In this, as in air 6Sher things
his paramount object the honor and interest of
the government
MT. Gartrell Of Georgia, offered an amendment
TO the BILL TO the eject t:'&t companies battaons
and regiments shall have the right to re-organize,
the election OF IiiLl' COMMISSIONED ueIu OIL
ficers at such lime and under such regulations as
shall be prescribed by the Secretary of War.
Mr. Ree,f made an amendment that the Kentucky
troops be permitted to mount themselves and become
part of the cavalry.
Dir. Foo.e Offered an amendment, IN substance,
that the Companies, battaiOnS and regiments he au-
Uhorzed to re elect their Cficars In support Of his
amendment he said that he had offered this resolu
ton at this time alone in consequence of what had
fallen from the member from South Carolina. He
WIS ready to maintain, at any snitabe time though
he had no opportunity of expressing al his views
Oh this subject at present that would be eminent
" proper TO allow to all our battalionS regiments
ard companies the privilege of choosing all their of
ficers. He.knew very we'll that i'll toe beginning of
the war; it might very plansibIy be urged, as in
point of fact it had bcon that the soldiers, who were
then mostly strangers to each other, would not be
certain in all cases, to choose officers those best
qualified to command9but it is far from being the
case at present The officers knew the soldiers the
soldiers knew the officers, and rank and file of the
army had exercised an opportunity of duly estma-
ting each other. He maintained that they were
more competent to choose .eIr officers than any one
outside of their organization could possibly be.
They were generally men Of intelligence they were
all distinguished for patriotic feeling, aud their
sona6lc partialites, ard their permanent pre1
juaiees were entitled TO respect. They would fight
better under officers whom they could respect and