The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1868-09-17
The MiIitin Law.

On last Thursday both Houses of the
Legislature came to terms in regard to the
militia bill. Here is the law as it finally
passed.
AN ACT TO ENFORCE THE LAWS OF THE
STATE:
WHEREAS, There exists in this State
lawless bands of desperadoes, who are set
ting 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 maintained, and that peace and order
may prevail; therefore,
SECTION |. BE IL enacted by the Gem
eral assembly Of the State Of Tennessee,
That the Governor be and he is hereby au-
thorized and empowered to organize, equip
and call into active service, at his discre-
ton, volunteer force, to be known as the
"Tennessee State Guards" to be composed
of one or more regiments from each Con-
groSsional district of the State provided
always that said Tennessee State Guards
shall be composed of loyal men, who shall
take aud subscribe 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 pro-
visions of this act shall be governed by the
revised rules and regulations of the Unit
ed States army. ,.
SEC. 8. BE ii further enacted, That
the Comptroller of the State shall issue
his warrant upon the Treasurer, for any
amount in the opinion of the Governor
actually necessary for the organization,
equipment, Transportation, support and pay
ment of said State Guards, not to exceed
the sum of fifty thousand dollars at any
one time, and the same shall be paid out
of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, the amount SO drawn from
the Treasury to be replaced as hereinafter
provided.
Sec. 4. Be ii further enacted, That
whenever full representation is made to
the Governor from any county or counties
by the Judge and the Attorney General
of the circuit in which said county is sit
uated, and the Senator and Representa-
tives and ten Union men of good moral
character, of said county or counties, that
the laws can not be enforced, and the good
citizens of that county or counties can not
be protected in their just hts on account
of rebellion or insurrection, or the oppose
ton 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 State for
the protection and safety of the citizens
thereof, and to quarter troops within any
county or counties so declared under mar
tial law, in such number as may be neces-
sary for the preservation of peace and the
protection of the lives of citizens thereof;
and furthermore, as it is right aud proper
that the peaceable and law-abiding citizens
of the State should not be held response
BILE or suffer loss for the violent acts of
such turbulent communities, it. shall be
the duty of the Governor to assess and
COllccl SuIHClenG dlnOullG lOT lHc Iull
payment of said State Guards so employed
out of said county or counties declared
under martial law, as provided for in Sec
tions 3 and 4 of an act passed February
|, 1868, chapter xxxiii, entitled Gan act
to amend an act for the protection of
Sherffs" etc.
SEC. 5. BE ii further enacted, That
upon the application of the sworn state
ment of ten or more known unconditional
Union men of good moral character, or
three Justices of the Peace of any county
in this State, setting forth that the civil
laws can not be enforced, and that the
law abiding citizens can not be protected
without the aid of the military autorities,
it shall be the duty of the Governor to
furnish such number of troops as may be
necessary to enforce the laws and protect
the citizens from violence.
SEC. 6. Bel 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.