Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-06-25

shall designate the number Of arms reqair-
cd. and the person to whom, and the place
to which they are to be sent. The requi-
sitiun shall be laid before the officers OF
State. and, If approved by a majority o.
them. shall be served on the Assistant
uuartermaster- General, who shall ship
the arms designated. without delay; the
account for the expenses thereof. verified
by affi iavit. shall be paid out OF the State
Treasury. on the warrant of the Auditor.''
BY this section. acquisitions for arms
are to be made by the Brigadfcr- Generals,
who are empowered to designate the per-
sons to whom the arms arc to be delivered.
These acquisitions are to be considered and
acted on by the officers of State. without
IN any respect consulting the Governor. or
the officers of his staff. Should it be de-
termined to put the State arms in the
hands of the "knights OF the Golden Cir
cls." or send them to Richmond, for the
rebels. or sell them and put the money in
their pockets. thsreAis no power vested any
where to prevent it being done. The per-
sons receiving the arms are not required to
give any bond or security for their preser-
yation or return.
BY our present militia system every
company has to give bond, to be approved
by the County Auditor, for the safe keep
ing and return of all the arms, accoutre-
ments and munitions, and the counties are
held liable to the State for all arms dis
tributed. But if such provision had been
in this bill, vagsbonds and desperate char
actsrs could not have failed in getting the
arms, and thus one of the most important
objects Of the measure would have been
defeated. The loss to the State by the
destruction of the arms was not to be ia
ken into consideration. and the only thing
to be secured was the untrammcled use of
them, to subservc their criminal purposes
COST OF THE NEW PLAN.
Ninth.--Ths oath, 25th, and Goth Sec
tions Of the bill provide for one Major
General, and staff OF ten members, at a
cost, per year, of about S25, 1886 90. and
eleven Brigadier- Generals, with staff of
seven members, at cost OF Sl5,S1l o.
for each. and making. in all. ninety nine
officers Exclusive of the Governor and
staff) above the rank Of Colonel. at an av-
srge cost of about 5000 .527 % per year,
when on active duty; and the present dis
tnrbed condition Of the country, and dan
gerous position of the State, would have
furnished IN excuse for assuming to be on
active duty from the honr of their appoint
ment; and thus enormous salaries would
have been provided for broken-down poll
ticians. who would otherwise have great
difficulty in making an honest livivipg.
COMMANDER IN CHIEF DEPRIVED OF COM
MAyD.
Tenfh.-Not only is the Governor OK
pressly deprived Of all control of the
arms; not only is he deprived of all pow
er to appoint field Or regimentaL officers,
but he is deprived of all command over
the men under any circumstances, as the
bill provides for every contingency that
can arise. and gives the command to
creatures holding the certificate of the
State officers, and subject only to their
control.
WHO WOULD HAVE THE STATE ARMS.
Tho passage of the bill would ~have
been complete overthrow Of the State
Government. and produce Immediately a
bloody and dessolating civil war, to re-
suit in anarchy and despotism.
The midnight assemblages of the
Knights of the Golden Circle, who are
now arming themselves with pistols and
bowie knives, would have been supplied
with State arms, and would have attemp :
ed to inaugurate a reign of terror, and to
take military possession of the persons
and property of the loyal citizens of the
State.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION on MILITARY BILL.
The Militsry bill was pressed to its en-
grossment on the 2Jth day Of February,
elapsed, and but nins legislative days re-
manned. Up to that time no bill Of gen.
eral interest had been put on its passage,
except the Revenue Bill; no appropriation
bill had been introduced. except that of
Legislative expenses, at the beginning of
the session; and no appropriation bill
was afterward introduced until Friday.
the last Legislative day but one of the ses-
ssion.
The chairman Of the Committee OF
Ways and Means was Democrat. and
. majority of the committee were Demo
Gratis. and, thus having control of the
COMMITTEES. ell appropriations were kept
back, IS . lever with which to force
through the Military Bill.
APPROPRIATIONS WITHHELD.
: Among the appropriations which should
have been made at the very beginning Of
the session were;
Firsf-A sufficient sum for the relief
of soldiers families.
Secom.-A sum sufficient to relieve the
necessities and provide for sick and
wounded soldiers in the field.
T1ird.-A sum sufficient to pay the
military claims which had been allowed
BY the Auditing Committee. and about
which there was no dispute. some of them
having beer standing for many months.
FourM.-A sum sufficient to pay spec.
ial surgeons for services and expenses,
rendered BY order Of the Governor, in the
field.
Fyh.-A sum sufficient to advance
to Indiana soldiers their pay due and in
arrears from the General Government.
it having been shown by the Gov.
srnor that this could be done with very
trihing loss or sacrifice. if any. on the