Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-05
The Militia TiIl.

I IN a Few uaAs the HOUSE VIII oS NaAVN
upOn 10 act upon the militia bill. Are the
members of the Legislature prepared 10
give il intelligent and conscientious con-
siderationi Have they studied the bill,
and do they realize how important 1t Is
that the State shall have we'll equipped
and a well organized militia.
These questions are not asked with the
idea OF suggesting that the members Of
the Legislature are neglectful Of their
duties, but with the hope, rather, Of
directing particular attention to matter
that has already been neglected too long,
and that is much more closely associated
with the welfare Of the State than many
wen-meauing citizens are willing TO ad-
nit
1 The trainers Of the constitution of the
! State were deeply impressed with the ne
cessity of maintaining proper military
organization, and they took good care to
! give the Legislature ample authority to
provide for it. The people ratified their
/ action because they realized that an or
/ gained militia was Essential to the
peace and security Of the state"
! But what has the Legislature done to
carry into effect the plain intention and
purpose Of the constitution with regard
TO this matter? Nothing, absolutely
nothing. The militia provision of the
constitution has been rs completely ig-
nored as if it had no existence.
This being the case, does it not seem as
if there had been a persistent purpose TO
defeat the will of the people? Who Of
those who have been members Of the Leg
islature since the present constitution
was adopted, and who made no attempt
to carry into effect that part OF the con-
/ stitution relating to military organiza-
| ton. can say that ne served his cOnstitu-
ents faithfully, and honestly shouldered
all the responsibilities imposed upon him
/ by his position?
! There are those who oppose spending
money for militia purposes. They prefer
| to take the chances that no occasions will
arise when military organizations will be
needed rather than to bear a share of the
very light burden that the support of such
organizations would impose. The great
mass of the people, however, don't want
to take such chances. They know there
is not a State in the Union in which the
! need for well-organized and trustworthy
| military organizations is not liable to arise
at any time. Every once in a while, in
/ some part of the country, a disturbance
| occurs Of such proportions that the civil
authorities are powerless to quell 1t. Such
a disturbance occurred in this State not
] very long ago, and a demand was made
! ha mil Nr, xarbf oh n
Spouse was made. Who can say that
another and a far more threatening dis
turbance will not occur again soOnY
1t is clear that the State must have a
military force. The question then which
presents itself is, how is it TO be main
tanned If it were not for the patriotism OF
those who now compose the military CON-
panies the State would be without mill
tary protection. Does the Legislature
4 expect that these military companies will
I continue to bear the expenses Of their
/ organizations? If it does 1t will find out
/ its mistake before long. The men who
make up the companies will become tired
/ Of serving the State at such heavy expense
10 themselves.
Other states are acting literally with
their militia, and why should not this? ?
| Shall Georgia, the Empire State Of the
South, show a narrow and an Liberal
spirit in this matter. the importance of
which is not denied?
/ The amount which the military oompa-
MES ask for in the pending bill is not
large. II will not perceptibly increase
/ the burden of the taxpayers, Indeed, it
( ought not TO impose any additional bur
I den on honest tax payers. A just assess
ment would bring the assessed value of
the property of the state up TO $500, 000,-
/ 900, and the revenue from that amount, at
/ the present rate of taxation, would meet
/ all reasonable demands on the Treasury.
The time Is not very distant, perhaps,
when the national government will pro-
vide for the maintenance of the militia OF
the several States. Until it does, how
ever, to equip and support military
organization sufficiently strong to meet
any ordinary emergency Is duty which
each State cannot safely and honorably
avoid.
The bill now before the House may moi
be in all respects satisfactory. If it isn't
its weak points win be brought out during
the discussion of it; but with reference
10 its main object--to provide some assist
ance for the States military organiza
tiOns-there ought to be no difference o.
opinion.