National Republican., 1883-10-05

10 den. Benet was 1ntenueu 10 IOrce bebJle-
ment of the status of the district militia.
IL suppose So" was the reply; "and so far
as the National Rifles are concerned, we are de-
sirous that the settlement should be made. If
the President will make some recommenda-
tion to congress in the matter, we will help
put the law through"
"You do not think that there is presen
authority for consolidating the militia into o
regiment or brigade do you"
mo, do not. The President has authority
in time of war TO control the militia Of tho
entire country, but even under the act Of 1903,
which is the only militia act applicable to the
District Of Columbia, i do not think he has
authority to issue an order consolidating all
the independent companies into regiment
or brigade"
"Were the officers Of the National Rifles
commissioned by the president {"
"No. We were mustered in by Mai. Twin
ing upon application to the district commits
sioners. and upon their requisiton we re-
ceived our arms and accoutremeuts The
militia acts that were passed by the terrific
rial legislature were all wiped out with the
abolition of tho territorial government and
so there is nothing now in force but tho old
law of 1903. The National Rifles Is an inde-
pendent organization, has bought its own
uniforms, pays for its own band whenever il
goes out and has succeeded in building this
splendid armory, and now 1t does not
want, to be consolidated in any way
which will wipe out its distinct
i've organization. We have always been
ready to offer our services in any emergency,
as when Garfield was shot held my men
at the armory, ready for duty, until we were
released by orders from the war department.
We are loyal to the government in every
sense Of the word, and will always respond "a
the constituted authorities. You can rest as.
sured of that"
Ina tha Of tha nf a Ia AT,
the status of the militia here who would you
suggest as the commanding officer of the
district militia?"
IL should think that the officer in command
Of the regular troops here would be the proper
person. On all occasions of parade he would
be the marshal of tho day aud would there
fore be in command, and then he would
probably be more familiar with the details OF
handling large bodies Of men. When the
matter comes before congress, | am satisfied
that such legislation will be made as will ell.
courage and not crush out the militia organi
cations of the district"
Capt. S. Z. Thomson, Of the Union Vet
eran corps, was next interviewed.
81 hold no commission" he said, from
any one, and occupy the position Of command.
ing officer by the sutIrages of my men. Wher
the Veteran corps was formed / went to tn,
district commissioners 20 get our arms anC
to have the men mustered. They doubted
their authority, but finally Maj Twininq
mustered us in. We got our arms upon
the requisition of the commissioners.
went to President Hayes with my application
for commissions for myself and the other off
GERS, and he indorsed the application to Adiu
tant General Drum, directing that the com
missions be issued at once, but it has never
been done, although he said he would attend
to it,"
"What do you think of the proposed con.
solidation?' ~
81 would object to any consolidation which
would destroy our distinctive organization.
would not object to having our organization
made q company of q battalion or regiment
for drill purposes or for cases of emergency
but we could still be known as the Union
Veteran corps In such case, however, the
government should furnish us with an armory
with uniforms, and full equipments, just al
the state of Pennsylvania has its entr,
militia enrolled in regiments and brigade
all uniformed alike, but the various separat,
organizations retain their special distinction
as the State Fencibles and Others"
The reporter was shown an opinion rem
dered by Attorney General Alderman, at the
solicitation of Hon. w. w. Belknap, secretary
of war, Dec. 25, 1871, on the status of thu
district militia. The opinion held that tn,
act of congress of 1871 did not give the legis
lative assembly of the district any power owe
the militia, and that " in this country tn,
control of the local militia has not beer
ordinarily, if ever, given to municipa
governments, and where the municipal en-
braces the seat of the national government
there are strong reasons why the immediat
control of the militia should be reserved t.
the national authority" 1t was the opinion
of the attorney general, therefore, that tn,
act of 1871 did not repeal or qualify the ac
of March 3, 1903, aud did not give the legis
lative assemblytf the district the power t,
repeal or qualify said act, and that said &C
was still in force.