Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-02
THE DISTRICT MILITIA BILL.
Its Provisions as it Passed Both Houses
of Congress.

The bill for the organization of the militia of
the District Of Columbia will be presented to the
President to-day for his signature. The Senate
yesterday agreed to the House bill, and at this
late day in the session the measure is completed.
1t provides that every able-bodied male citizen
resident of the District between the years of
eighteen and forty-fve shall be enrolled in the
militia except idiots lunatics common drunk
ards, vagabonds, paupers, persons convicted Of
infamous crimes, officers of the government Of
the District, judges and officers of the courts
of the District officers who have held commits
sions in the aamy or navy of the United States,
ministers of the Gospel, practicing physicians,
conductors and engineers of railroad trains,
and members Of the paid police and fire de-
partments.
THE ENROLMENT
is to be made by the Commissioners of the Dis
trict and furnished the commanding general Of
the militia. The militia is not to be subjected
to any duty except when called into the service
Of the United States, to aid the civil authori-
ties in the execution of the laws or suppression
of riots.
The commanding general of the militia is to
be appointed by the President, who is also to
appoint the generals staff. The active militia
is to be composed of volunteers and to be des-
lgnated the national guard of the District of
OoluiuDld III tlH1eS OF peace the national
guard Is to consist of not more than twenty
eight companies of infantry. Each company
of infantry shall have one captain, one first
lieutenant one second lieutenant, one first ser
geant, four sergeants, and one corporal to
each ten privates. The battery Of light artil-
lery Is to have not less than four nor more than
six guns. The band of music is to consist of
thirty-two privates, one chief musician, two
sergeants, and two corporals.
THE TERM OF ENLISTMENT
is fixed at three years, and re-enlistments may
be for one, two or three years, if the soldier
who has been honorably discharged 80 desires
Ordnance stores, clothing, camp and garrison
equipage, quartermasters' stores, medical sup
plies and other necessary military stores will
be issuedfrom the stores and supplies appro-
priated for the use of the army. The guard is
to perform not less than six consecutive days
camp duty in each year, and it is entitled to the
use of the drill grounds and rifle range at the
Washington barracks. During the annual en-
campment, and on every duty or parade, each
member of the regular enlisted band shall re-
ceive a per day: each member of the regularly
enlisted corps of field music, %; the chief mu-
stefan 50, and the principal musician So.
LEAVES OF ABSENCE.
All officers and employees of the United States
and of the District of Columbia who are mem
bers of the national guard are to be entitled to
leave of absence from their respective duties
without loss of pay or time. on all days of any
parade or encampment ordered or authorized
under the act
The commanding general is required to trans
init to the District Commissioners estimates of
expenses for the coming fiscal year.