National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-01-04
TIE DISTRICT MILITARY.
A Statement OF the Laws Affecting such
Organization.

Organization.
What are your views on tho proposed re-
organization of the district militiaY This
query was propounded to Capt NJ. A. Tap
pan, Of the Union Veteran corps first COM
pany), by REPUBLICAN reporter
81 have for long time been deeply inter-
ested,' he replied, "in the present status and
future prospects Of the various military or
CARNATIONS of the district. l have carefully
studi cd the various acts of congress and the
laws in force relating to tho enrolling,
equipping, and government of the dis
HOP, chapter 81 Revise Statutes of the dis.
trict, provides that the president is author
lied to cause the militia OF the District of CO.
lumba to be formed into regiments and
other corps, and whenever in his opinion
necessary to lay of said militia into addi-
tional companies, battalions, regiments, or
legions aud brgadcs, and to appoint and
commission during pleasure the proper officers
for the same"
The captain then handed the reporter slip
which read as follows: Sec X. S. u. S. Sec
tions 1666l670, 3 March, 1908, G. 90 l., v. 2,
.. 2l5; July, 1916, 80, v. o, 3D. Section 1893
provides for the oath to be taken by officers.
Section 1l0i provides by whom to be admin.
isterod &c.
Continuing Capt. Tappan said Section
1892 appears to be the law bearing upon the
subject and Enthusiastically congress has con-
icrred upon the president Of the United
States the power to cause the militia of the
district to be formed into regiments and other
corps and to provide for aud arrange into
additional companies, battalions, regiments,
and brigades, and to appoint and commission
during his pleasure the proper officers. The
above act however, has not been carried into
effect, so it can be truly said that we have
but an obsolete law on militia matters.
Tho commissioners expressed themselves
well and truly in their recent letter to Gen.
Bcntt, when they said "The anomalous
practice Of arming bodies of men in the Dis
trict of Columbia, who are not as far as the
commissioners can discover either controlled
or disciplined by law. But the relations that
might arise between these military organiza-
tons and the commissioners make the latter
DESTROYS of having them established upon an
unique, tionable legal basis. The commission
ers respectfully invite attention to the re-
vised statutes of the District Of Columbia
under the title of militia IL would seem to
require that the men who bear the arms of
the government should be brought under the
compulsory discipline of its laws, however,
ready they might be to voluntarily comply
with them"
ADO you contend that the commissioners
have any control over the militia ?" asked
the reporter.
ut would appear" was the reply, chat
they have no military control over the mill
tia, yet they are recognized by the proper
officers of the war department as of coequal
power and position to the governors of the
several states, in that they have recognized
their acquisitions for arms aud accourtre-
ments for the several commands requiring
them, and are held responsible for them.
Yet, in view of these facts, it appears that
the commissioners lack power to gain control,
by accepting and mastering in these several
commands, and placing them under military
obligation Therefore it seems to me that
the government of the District of Columbia
presents two phases, partly state and partly
territorial. As state in observing regu-
larly organized companies and battalions, but
with no military head or proper organza-
ton, and under no laws as in the several
states which have control over their militia,
as instanced in Now York, Pennsylvania,
Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and
others. As n territory, in requiring the Pres
ident to execute the law as quoted in the re-
vised statutes and in issuing arms and equip
monts as in his judgment may seem proper"
" | can see no reason why the President
cannot make known his wishes in these mat
tors, and cause the execution of tho present
law, as far as is consistent with tho times,
through the commissioners of this district or
territory, and though the law has created
three, "a triumvirate," do not know why
they cannot carry out such law as at present
exists or may be conferred by the President.
This could be done by one of their number,
and he. while in office, created military COM
missioner with the rank of brigadier general,
having in control all the citizen soldiery of
the District of Columbia. In case of revolt
or rebellion requiring aid from the govern
ment, the militia should be under the con-
troll of United States officers as already by
law provided for"
what are your direct views concerning q
reorganization
Reorganization is highly essential" was
the reply. at is culpable carelessness that it
has not been done before. The sooner their
status is defined, the more satisfactory it
would be to the soldiers interested, and, no
doubt to those in authority. | am in favor
OF Il regimental formation, with twelve COM
panies to regiment, as recommended by
Gen. w. T. Sherman in his last report. At the
same time, the present commands to retain
their distinctive designations and organiza-
tiOns, but for the purpose of being brought
under proper military control, be placed into
Il regimcntal formatiOn-the officers of these
different companies to have the power of
clecting the colonel aud other field and
staff oiiieers-all to be placed under
who shall be one of the district commission
ers. | think the respective companies of the
different commands could be made to consist
of fifty men each, exclusive of line officers.
That the Washington Light Infantry corps
would consist of four companies: National
Rifles, two companies; Union Veteran corps
Capt, Thomason's), one company; Union
Veteran corps Capt. Tappan's), two compa-
MES; Washington Continentals; three compa-
nies-making a total of twelve companies.
The colored citizen soldiery should form an
other regiment or battalion under similar
control"
In concluding. Capt, Tappan suggested that
the question Of the control of tho different
corps of cadets could be easily solved. They
will be looked after by the different COM