Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-02-12
Belmont Chronicle.
Organization of the Militia.

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IN expression of opinion from the Senate,
offered the following resolution:
ResoLoed, That ii is the opinion Of the
Senate, that in the present condition of our
National and State finances, no plan for the
organization ot the militia of the State
should be adopted which will involve the
State in any considerable expenditure of
money.
Mr.. Sinnet offered an amendment, to the
effect that no organization was advisable
that would require an expenditure of more
than s500;000. On this, there was consid.
cradle discussion.
Gen. Bierce, Republican, was emphati-
cally opposed to any militia that required to
be paid for the time spent in drilling. A
standing army was not in keeping with Re-
publican institutions
Mr.. Lang, Democrat, took the same view
Of the subject, as did, also, MesGs. Finck
and o Connor, Of the same party.
Mr. McVeigh, U. D., made good and
argumentative speech in favor OF an effec-
i've militia organization. 1t was necessary
for the protection OF the State against raids
from the enemy, when the volunteer forces
were out Of reach. Cincinnati, last fall,
would not have objected to the expense, it a
competent force of the militia could have
come to her aid With such an organiza.
ton in the North, the rebellion could long
since have been crushed out.
Mr.. McBurney offered the following
amendment:
ResoIced, That in any law that may be
passed 10y this General Assembly for the
organic alton Of the Militia of this State, no
Compensation or fees shall be allowed to of.
tcers or men, for any dut es that may be per.
formed by them under said law.
Mr.. McBurney thought no compensation
was necessary The patriotism of the mill
tia would be sufficient incentive to duty
Ifthey were called out to do actual service
for the State, no legislature would after
wards refuse to vote them reasonable com.
pensation.
Mr.. Gunckel had seen the necessity for
some efficient militia organization; and he
cited to tho threatened attack on Cincin.
matt, to the mcnaces Of tho rebels on the
counties bordering on the Ohio river, and
also to the mob in Dayton after the murder
Of Mr.. Bolmyer. There was great need for
4 military force to meet such exigencies. -
He was opposed to any largo expenditure of
money, but an efficient organization could
not be made without some expense.
Mr.. Sinnet spoke of the system in vogue
in some States, by which the officers of the
militia were well trained, and the general
drill Of tho masses dispensed with. Last
year il was argued that an orgarits ution of
the militia was too late for the present war,
and too soon for the next; but the present
state OF things proved those who thus argu
ed to have been mistaken II was not
alone for tho General Government that the
militia were needed; they were needed for
self protection. Our volunteers in the army
Of the National Government are scattered
into the distant States, and can be of no ser.
vice to us. Let it be known to the rebels
thar We have n well drilled militia at home,
aud our borders will be safe. The people
are giving their money freely all over the
State for militia purposes, and the State
itself should give its encouragement to
we'll developed military organization.
Mr.. Johnston thought some kind of o mi
litia bill should be passed that would en-.
courage the people to give attention to the
matter. The question on which Senators
seemed to differ, was whether those who (
entered into the organizations should receive
pay or not. He did not think that, in case
their aid was needed, rs cents day would
be essential to obtaining their services. III
Such compensation would look too much
like a standing army provision. He Thought
that bill providing for an expenditure sui. |
hc eat to procure arms and uniform would he
oil that was necessary
Mr. Finck quoted Article II, Section
Of the Constitution, to show that the Gov
ernor already had the power to call forth
the militia to execute the laws of the State,
to suppress insurrection and repel invasion.
lie thought that during the present rebel.
lion Ohio had responded fully to all the
calls made upon her, and the men thus fur.
nlshed had been as efficient as any other
troopa Wa should rely upon the patriot.
isn ofour people, The drilling OF the mill
tia amounts to nothing. The bill now pen.
ding in Congress shows that the General
Government is not going to rely upon vol
unteering in the future, but will resort to
drafting entirely.
Mr. Ganckel referred 10 company Of
zouaves that wtnt into camp, and on
account OF their experience they were every
one detailed as drillmasters. Tho adyan.
tase Of having such men ready for an cmer.
gency, lod him to favor some plan by which
reserve force of armed men and we'll. drill.
% men would be ready at moments warn.
ins to 90 to any portion Of the State where
they might be needed.
Mr. Welsh was ofthe opinion that apy
system which should be established on the
Idea that it would cost nothing, would con.
ysy the idea that it was worth nothing, and
b. treated accordingly. He preferred an
ofIlciont avHfam avan 10 Il aho,,ll -. - 4