Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-19
n ALAe-NNfASAN ioA-AlA1AOAs
THE MILITIA BILL,

The consideration of House bill to raise
and equip loyal militia, being the order of
the day was called up. ......
Mr.. Smith, of Hardeman,, moved that
the militia bill which had Just passed its
third reading in the Senate be adopted in
lieu ...Es
Mr.. Jarvis spoke adversely to the pro-
visions of either bill. In the present fnan-
cial condition of the State, il would be
ruinous in the extreme to pass such bill,
involving, as it does, greater expense than
can be met by the State Besides, there is
not the slightest necessity for this militia
force. Gen Grants order, No. A, provides
that where the civil authorities fail in the
|. performance of this duty, the United States
will furnish troops 10 enforce the law. Then
why rii5e an additional militia force, that
cannot be otherwise than burden and a
curse 10 the State. N'H
At the close of his remarks, Mr.. Jarvis
offered a bill in lieu of all others hereto
fore proposed 1t provides for the organi-
cation of a militia force, but that each
county must meet the expense of its own
militia. 1t differs in other respects from the
other bills offered, in that il is less ex-
pensiVe.
Mr.. Smith, of Hardeman, moved to lay
Mr.. Jarvis substitute on the table. Car
ried-ayes, 36--noes, 20. -t-
On the qestion OF adopting The Senate
bill,
Mr.. SHARPE earnestly opposed the prin-
CP@ea ana provisions OF either the House
or Senate bill. In the first place, he con-
tended the situation in the State is such,
that the enactment of a militia law Is not at
all necessary. Peace, except the usual
criminal Outcroppings incident to every
community, reigns from one end of the
State to the other. In his own county OF
Henry, the sheriff with his posse oomnjtatus
was never at loss to execute all wTits, no
matter how heinous the crimes involved.
1t might reasonably be set down that 1t
was, with hardly an exception, in all parts
of the State. Because prominent Union
man has been murdered in ObiOn, it GER
tainly does not justify us in precipitating
an armed militia on the State, to be terror
10 our people, and involving untold burdens
and financial ruin The United States is
fully able to suppress any insurrectionary
exhibition, should they anifestthemselves
Besides all this, if the spirit of loyalty is to
be encouraged, it must be brought about by
ObllNA AAlGtloAINh SUCH lilA0y NlilCll
the very thing to repel those who are sin
cerely DESTROYS of living the lives OF loyal
men. ........
The question of adopting the bill in lieu
was then put, and the Senate bill adopted
by ayes 80, noes 20.
The question being on the passage of the
| bill on its third reading,
Mr.. Brien spoke warmly against the bill
1t was manifest, palpable violation of the
constitution, the enactment Of the law now
under consideration. The expense Incl
! dent to such law will be at least eight
| millions of dollars annually. How is the
! State going to stand this? Where is the
use of these troops in a State profoundly
| quiet from one end to the other? We are
| told that three Union men have been muir
| dered in ObiOn county, and that conse-
quently the enactment of this law is neces-
sary The facts simply are, and they can
not be contradicted, that those in this Stat'
who have been identified with the rebel
| lion are to-day the most peaceable and law
abiding people in the State. Tennessee
will compare favorably with any State in
the Union, as far as law and order is con
cerned. And yet it is circulated through
| Northern papers, for the purpose of manu-
featuring public opinion, that perfec
reign of terror exists through our State
and that the lives of Union men are no
safe in our midst. A grosseF .peryersion o
facts could not be imagined. He earnestl,
hoped the bill would not pass the House
- In connection with his remarks, Nh
Brien proposed an amendment based OIL
the militia law Of 1875, with some Sigh
amendments
Before any action was had, the HouS
adjourned until o'clock tomorrow.