Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-26
The State Militia.

In message sent to the House of Delegates
on Tuesday transmitting the annual report OF
the adjutant- general Of the State for the year
1871, Governor Walker makes the following
recommendations and suggestions in relation
to the volunteer militia:
Little has been done under the act Of March
Goth, 1871, beyond the organization OF one regl-
nlent OF infantry, composed OF seven companies,
and few other volunteer companies OF infantry.
This is due in u large measure to the fact that
little or no encouragement is held out to Our
young men liable to military duty to enlist III
volunteer organizations. The expenses Incl
forms, and the loss of time required for drill
and parade, amount to very considerable tax
which but few are able to bear. The necessity
for thoroughly organized and efficient volun-
teer force is too apparent to require any argu-
ment or illustration at this time, and the use
fulness OF such force, small though it was, III
aiding our civil authorities to maintain the
public peace and enforce the laws has recently
been conspcuously demonstrated.
For the purpose OF encouraging and support
ing those organizations already formed and to
induce the formation Of others, | would res
pecttully recommend that volunteers be eXemp-
ted from all jury duty, and that each company
be allowed to elect u reasonable number OF
honorary MEMBERS who, upon the payment
annually into the treasury OF the company Ota
specified sum of money, shall be exempt from
all jury and military duty. This can be done
without detriment to the administration OF JUS
tice and will enable the volunteer companies
to tighten somewhat the burdens of their men,
berS aud also contribute to their efficiency and
perfection. The quota of arms to which Vlr-
ginia is entitled from the United States govern
ment, under the rulings OF the War Depart
ment, is so small as to preclude any attempt to
arm and equip any companies OF cavalry or
artillery
am informed that when the act Of Congress
was passed, repeating the act prohibiting the
organization of the militia in the Southern
States, the quota TO which Virginia was emit
tied under the act of l9-was charged up to
her, and the account balanced, the war depart
ment holding that We were not entitled after
the restoration of civil government in the State
to any portion of the sum which had accumu-
lated during the period in which Virginia was
not represented in the Federal Congress. |
have been unable to find any express authority
for this ruling but whether there Was author
ity for it or not,@I think it our duty to make
an effort TO secure us TCStOTatlOu.
1t would appear to me advisable that you
pass a Joint resolution nstructiug our senators
and representatives to take such action as they
may deem proper, to accomplish this object;
There are now two artillery companies formed
one fully uniformed, and the other nearly so
which need arms and equipment; and there
are several cavalry companies organized, and
would be soon uniformed if there was any i'm
mediate prospect of obtaining arms and equip
ments. If we can obtain restoration OF our
Quota, We shall be able to obtain from the gov
eminent a sufficient quantity of arms and
equipments for all the volunteer organization,
in the State of each arm Of the service. and
we shall also be enabled to arm our infantry
with the most approved breech-loading rifles
and to furnish all our companies with tents and
camp equipage.
Our constitution divides the militia into two
classes-the volunteer or active and the re-
served, and the latter are not required to mus
ter in time of peace. The act OF 10Th March,
1871, requires the adutant of regiments to en-
roll all those liable to military duty but fails to
provide for any compensation for these servi-
ces. or for expenses OfcourSe nothing can be
ACCOMPLISHED in this behalf unless the law is
amended so as to provide either some compen-
sation to the adiutant for this service, or that
the enrolment shall be made by some of the
civil officers, either the assessors or the regis
trarS.
The law should also be amended so as to
provide for arrangement and re numbering
of the divisions, brigades, and regiments. As
at present arranged they are irregular, unequal
and defective Under the constitution the
Governor is the commander chief of the
land and naval forces of the State, and yet
there is no provision of law for the appoint
ment of suitable staff. I would respectfully
suggest that the law be amended in this, and
that suitable provisions be made for the pay
of members of the staff when on active duty.