The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1868-09-19
The Militia Bill.

The following is the militia bill as it finally
passed the two Houses Of the Legislature
on the 10th instant:
An act to enforce the laws of the State:
WHEREAS, There exists in this State law
less bands Of desperadoes, who are setting
at defiance civil law, and by threats and acts
of violence are forcing many of our citizens
to leave their homes; and,
Whereas, In certain localities it is en-
tirely impossible for the civil officers of the
State to enforce the laws thereof; in order
that the supremacy of the law may be main
tained and that peace AMI order may pre-
vail therefore,
SECTION l. Be 1t enacted By the General
assembly Of the State Of Tennessee, That
the Governor be and he Is hereby authori-
zed and empowered to organize, equip and
call into active service at his discretion,
volunteer force, to be known as the Ten
nessee State Guards, to be composed Of one
or more regiments from each CongI e5sional
District Of the State; provided always, that
said Tennessee State Guards shall be com
posed of loyal men, who shall take and sub
scribe an oath to support the Constitution Of
the United States and the Constitution of
the State Of Tennessee.
Sec 2 Be ii further enacted. That the
State Guards organized under the provisions
Of this act shall be governed by the revised
rules and regulations Of the United States
army
sec 3. Be 1t further enacted, That the
Controller of the State shall issue his war
rant upon the Treasurer, payable to the Or
der Of the Governor, for any amount in the
opinion Of the Governor actually necessary
for the organization, equipment, transporta-
tlOU, support and payment Of said State
Guards, not to exceed the sum Of fifty thou
md dollars at any one time and the same
shall be paid out of any funds in the Treas
ury not otherwise appropriated, the amount
SO drawn from the Treasury to be replaced
as hereinafter provided.
Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That when
ever a full representation Is made to the
Governor from any county or counties ~
the Judge and the Attorney General of the
circuit in which said county is situated, and
the Senator and Representatives and ten
Union men Of good moral character, of said
county or counties, that the laws cannot be
enforced, and the good citizens Of that county
or counties cannot be protected In their Just
rights on account of rebellion or insurrec-
ton, or the opposition of the people to the
enforcement OF law and order, the Governor
be and he IS hereby empowered to declare
martial law IN any county or counties of the
CIdL6 iOr the pEOL6CJlOn ana safety OF I'll e
citizens thereof and to quarter said troops
within any county or counties so declared
under martial law, in such number as may
be necessary for the preservation of peace
and the protection of the lives of citizens
thereof; and furthermore, as 1t is right and
proper that the peaceable and law-abiding
citizens Of the State should not be held re-
spOnsible or suffer loss for the violent acts
of such turbulent communities, it shall be
the duty of the Governor to assess and col
lect sufficient amount for the full payment
of said State Guards so employed out Of said
county or counties declared under martial
law, as provided for IN sections and 4 OF
an act passed February ], 1868, chapter
xXxii, entitled An act to amend an act for
the protection of Sherifs," etc.
Sec. 5. Be 1t further enacted, That upon
| the application Of the sworn statement of
ten or more known unconditional Union
men of good moral character, or three JUS
tees Of the Peace Of any county In this
State, setting forth that the civil laws cannot
! be enforced, and that the law-abiding citi-
| zens cannot be protected in their rights and
! liberty without the aid of the military au,
| thOrities, it shall be the duty Of the Cover
nor to furnish such number of troops as
may be necessary to enforce the LAYS and
| protect the citizens from violence
| Sec g. Beat further enacted, That all laws
and parts Of laws in conflict with this act
are repealed, and this act shall take effect
and be IN force from and after its passage