Litchfield enquirer., 1864-05-12

where they reside and is taxed like other pro perty for town, city and State purposes. In some 10 .alities the tax imposed upon stocks owned by residents is much larger, and in oth- CTS much less than the amount lad upon the same stocks owned by non-rtsidents When ever higher tax is imposed upon the property of the nonresident, he IS not protected in 'the privileges and immunities' of the resident citi- zen. It is not a satisfactory answer to one who IS thus compelled to bear an undue burden of taxation that the amount collected of the class to which he belongs is only equal to to the average amount assessed upon residents The fact remains that he is not protected ii, and does not receive all the 'priyileges and immunities' to which he Is entitled under the Constitution.
 The proposed amendment to the State Con stitution designed to give electors in the mill tary service of the United States an opportu- nity to exercise the privileges of the elective franchise and which was passed by the last General Assembly will be before you for your action.
 No argument can be necessary to urge a measure which bears upou it's face such evil dence of its justness.
 Freemen who sustain and protect govern nent by barring their bosoms to the deadly shafts of its enemies should have an opportu- nifty to express an opinion in respect to its Do- Hey and the character and qualifications of its officers.
 The several State agents appointed for the purpose of carrying out the intention of the Legislature in reference to sick and wounded soldiers have rendered important service in m!nistcring to their reIiet, in securing the transfer of many to the New Haven and other hospitals nearer their friends, in facilitating the discharge of the disabled, and in providing for the comfort and relief of those who had be- come isolated or detached from their regiments and needed aid.
 The probable events of the immediate future render our duty very clear and require us to be in readiness to assist them in any future enler- gency.
 The report of the Quar;ermaster General presents clear and minute exhibit of the ex- penditures of that Department, an inventory of the public property in the State Arsenal and in the hands of the Militia, and full account of al ordnance stores. clothing and equipage received from and delivered to the United States government.
 Repairs at the Arsenal are regarded as i'm portant for the proper care and preservation of property stored therein, and changes in the law, suggested for the purpose of holding militia officers to strict responsibility, are found by the experience of that officer to be necessary to save the State from heavy losses by the issue of property from his Department.
 The Paymastpr General, during the past year. has paid
 To officers in the Nine Months Regiments,
 Post Commanders. Assistant
 Surgeons and Chaplnins St7 0lO o2 To the State Militia 2I eco p To Volunteers for State D,uuties 3,.t9S,3SO GO
 Making total Of S3,566 ,3G0 SI
 The great watchfulness and close scrutiny necessary 10 guard agaInsf the payment of trtu1nlent or,:e:s added t9 the large amount disburspd, has made the position often one oi painful responsibility.
 The full. able and interesting report of the Adjutant General which will be transmitted embraces an account of the organization of the volunteer forces which have been turned over 10 the service of the United States upon the acquisition uf the President an account of the ra-enlistment of men in the field the result oi the draft ordered and executed by the general government; the quotas assigned to this State under ali calls for troops, and the number of men furnished as well as official reports of services rendered in various battles, and the present condition of the State Militia
 The entire military staff have performed thei. responsible duties with such promptness and ability as to relieve ths Department from un- due anxiety, and a sense of justice induces nc to speak in commendation of their selfdcnying fdelity to the public interests.
 The draft, ordered by the President in July to fill the army, was an incident which excited q portion of the people to threats and acts which produced an alarming and critical con dition in public affairs, rendering necessary the adoption of unusual measures to maintain public order.
 Arms belonging to the State were entrusted to the keeping of well known patriotic and re sponsible citizens who tendered their services to aid in maintaining the peace. The several companies of militia and Governors Guards were ordered to protect the State Arsenal and their armories and to hold themselves in readi- ness for other service whenever called upon.
 The execution of these orders required some weeks of continued service, and the prompt ness with which they were obeyed, by both officers and men, manifested an earnest desire to render all service necessary to preserve the public peace during period of such anxiety
 As the entire force, numbering less than one thousand men, was evidently inadequate to meet such an emergency, call was issued for volunteers to be organized into companies and battalions for short term of service. The number who offered was quite limited and as soon as the apprehended danger had passed all were discharged.
 The active militia now borne upon the mus ter rolls, is only 1,208, force altogether too limited for public safety, and it cannot be req sonably expected that even this small number will be retained for any length of time under system wholly voluntary, which in many eases, requires in addition to personal service expenditures of money many times larger than is demanded of those who avoid the duty.
 As the Major General had given special at tention to the condition of the militia, I re. uuested him to present the results of his ob servation, together with any plan which he might have for securing an efficient force His communication will be transmitted for your consideration. It clearly presents the made quency of the present law-the error of rely ing wholly upon volunteer system-the ne- cessity of offering greater inducements for men to enter the service, while holding them to the faithful performance of every duty-the value of competent and thorough instruction, and the excessive and unjust burdens which rests upon those who perform the duty.
 These suggestions are of great practical val ue, as we'll as the recommendation that Con. gress amend the conseription act so as to ex empt certain proportion of the militia from any other than short servlce.
 It is evident that we shall soon be without auv eff, cient militia unless we adopt a syste m