Connecticut western news., 1880-04-14
OUR NEW ARMY.
Our Militia System-Bill Reported to the House from the Militia Committee
 Radical Changes Proposed.


 Radical Changes Proposed.
 The bill reported to the United States House from the Militia Committee pro- vides that every able-bodied citizen resid- ing in the States and Territories, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, shall be enrolled in the militia, which shall be | divided into two classes-the active, to be known as the national guard, and the inactive, to be known as the resefee mill | tia. The former shall consist of the uni formed and enlisted troops in the several States and Territories and the term of enlistment shall be for period not less than three years, with the proviso that if the enlistment should expire during Q time when in the service of tho United States 1t shall continue until the expira- tion of the time of such service. The | organization and administration in times | of peace are left to the Legislatures of l the respective States, with the under standing that these shall conform as near as possible to those of the regular army. When called into service by the President the National Guard may be organized by him into brigades and divisions and the commanding officers and their staffs be designated by him.
 All corps of artillery, cavalry or infan- try now existing in any State or Terri tory, not incorporated with the militia or governed by its regulations, are al- lowed to retain their accustomed priyi- leges subject to the duties required by law. In times of peace arms and equip ments will be furnished by the general government provided that the number of active militia for which any State or Ter | ritory shall be entitled to be so furnished shall not exceed 700 officers and men for each representative or delegate from such State or Territory to Congress. Provis- ion is made for the proper accounting foH these arms and equipments and estimates of appropriation for their cost, as also for the responsibility for their care. 2 Section II provides for an adjutant general in each State, who shall on the last day of December in each year make return to the War Department of the number of militia, results of tho annual inspection, Sc. Rules regarding the wearing of the service dress are laid down, and the militia are required to go into camps of instruction for at least stise days in each year, and to assemble for | drill not less than once in each month An officer of the active or retired list of the army will be detailed by the Presi- dent to accompany the State Inspector during the annual inspection. Each State is required to construct rife range and maintain the same for the in struction of the militia in rifle practice, and prizes for competition are to be offered by the Secretary of War. When ever the public interest may require it., and upon application as provided for, officers of the regular army may be detailed to act as adjutants of regiments or in designated staff positions.
 Section 19 provides that :-
 The President may order the whole or my part of the active militia of any State or Territory into the service of the United States for period not exceeding twelve months during war or invasion or apprehended invasion by a foreign enemy or Indian tribe, or an insurrection or rebellion against the constitution and laws of the United States, or upon the imminent danger of either, or any occasion in which the execution of the laws may be obstructed by combinations and forces too strong to be overcome by the civil authorities in the ordinary course of law, and to issue his orders for that purpose to such officers of the active militia as he may think proper; and the said force when ordered into the service of the United States, shall be subject tc the rules and articles of war and to the regulations of the army, and shall be allowed the same pay, rations and emoluments as are allowed to officers, on-commissioned officers and privates of like grades and arms in the regular service; and in case of being killed in the performance of such duty the>same provisions shall be extended to them their widows and children as provided by law in like cases to officers, non-com, missioned officers and privates of like grades belonging to the regular army o the United States.
 Provision is made for the punishment of those of the militia who refuse to obey the call mentioned in section 19 and fol assertion.
 SEC. 24.-That the reserve militia shal not be liable or subject to any military duty to the United States except whe1 called into service by act of Congress passed for that purpose.
 A commission to be appointed by th' President and to consist of seven officers two of whom shall be of the regular arm, and five from the active militia of tn Eastern, Middle, Southern, Western anc Pacific States respectively, is provided . for, who shall prepare system of rule and regulations for the discipline of tn active militia, and provision is made fo the necessary expenses of such com mission.
 l We All Have 1t Now.
 , Spring fever. How 1t settles down o]