Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-13

On motion Of Mr.. McAdoo the House took up for
consideration under the f1ve-mlnute rule the bill
introduced by Mr.. Breckinridge for the organiza-
ton OF the militia OF the District Of Columbia
Mr. McAdoO explained that the committee did not
consider IL wise to relieve honorary members OF
the militia from jury duty and they excluded that
provision from the bill. The report was read. 1t
says This bill places the militia OF the District OF
Columbia on the same footing as those OF the sew
eral states The existing militia law for the Dis
trict OF Columbia was enacted In 1908. When
that law was enacted the enrolled militia.
which included every citizen between eigh-
teen and forty-nvc years OF age, was the
essential and recognized military reserve OF the
country, and the law for the District OF Columbia
like the laws OF all the states, was framed with a
view 70 inssructing and utilizing IL! As the popu.
requiring active duty from the whole body or the
enrolled militia decreased and became well nigh
1mpracticable, and the states successfully re-
pealed the old militia laws and substitute laws
recognizing and providing for volunteer militia.
In the District Of Columbia the Old law stu re-
mains In existence, though its provisions have
Oeen utterly disregarded for many years and he
law has become not only obsolete, but impractical
Bile.
II being an axiom, recognized In the Conssitu-
tion or our country, that a well regulated militia
IL necessary TO the security OF republic IT would
ne n,s sh soaa aae capital 81 the republic
and that the necessary legislation should be
enacted 10 repeal these obsolete laws The fact
De- In case or need, protection for the enormous
amount OF public property accumulated here and
IN any and every CRISIS the first defenders OF the
capital. make II proper and desirable that the
Government should extend to the militia OF the
District the same aid and announcement that Is
EXTENDED by the states 70 their local
Although the proposed bill Is long and appar-
emily elaborate IL contains only the usual and
necessary provisions that are Included in the
carries with IL no appropriation OF money Ex-
penditures, other than issues from the regular
sio,es o. 2 the Army m Is provided shall be esti
for the District OF Columbia, and thereby will be
at all times within the control OF Congress-
The Dill mas been examined and approved by
the War Department, is urged by the existing
mtiitia organizations OF the District and the CON-
mistee report back the BIN with amendments,
striking out section 81, adding q section 10 repeal
the old law, and amending the title, and recom-
mending that the bin as thus amended do pass.
THE QUESTION or JURY DUTY
The bill was read throughout Mr.. Blount then
objected that it was not proper to exclude the
militiamen from jury duty for all time.
Mr.. McAdoo said that the application OF the
clause 10 honorary member had been stricken out.
Mr.. Blount moved 70 strike out the section as
applying 70 active militiamen, and 20 substitute
therefor provision exempting them from Jury
service Tor nine years.
Messrs. McAdoo ana Wheeler urged that Gen.
Ofdway was endeavorng 10 build up the District
mfilia that it was important TO the safety OF the
Government that there should be good militia ser.
vice here. and that the movement ought TO be
given all possible encouragement.
Mr.. Blount nnally agreed IN ~ amend the CLAUSE
"a TO exempt the active Iuili.iamen from Jury
duty while they were In the service. The MORN
ing hour by that time had expired and the bilI
went over as unfinished business until to-moyrov
The residence OF J. C. Logan Harris editor OF the
Signal, In the suburbs OF Raleigh, n. c., was de-
- royed by IRE yesterday.
MIS- Henrietta smell, widow Of tie late Amos J.
smell who was recently murdered In CHICAGO
Offers a reward OF 600 for the capture OF VIM,
b. Tascotr, the alleged assassin.
Mormon elders have been working In the remote
rural districts Of Botetourt County, Va and II d
said have made many converts