The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-01-24

ed yesterday an order that he expects will be
followed up by some desirable and import
ant legislation. That order directed the COM
mittee on military affairs to inquire into the
expediency of establishing a naval reserve
force as branch of the State militia. The
order passed the Senate today, and will go to
the committee at once. This proposed step
is in accordadce with the provisions of what
is known as the Whitthorne bill now pend
ing In Congress. This bill would make it
lawful In the enrolment Of the militia of the
several States bordering on the sea and lake
coasts and navigable rivers to separately en-
rol and desigate as naval militia" between
the ages OF Is and 45, all seafarlng men of
whatever calling or occupation, and all
men engaged in the construction and
management OF ships and crafts together
with ship owners and their employees. yacht
owners, members of yacht clubs and all
other associations for aquatic pursuits and
all former members Of the navy. The officers
OF this militia would be selected and an
nounced by the State authorities and If
found qualified by suitable examinations
they might be commissioned by the Presi-
dent in the same titles and grades. These
forces might be called out by the President
In all cases where 1t Is authorized to call out
any militia and also for a period of annual
drill not TO exceed one month for which they
would receive recompense from the United
States. The measure before Congress pro-
vides quite elaborately for the desciplining
and training of this reserve.
The plan which it is proposed to adopt in
ment of not more than four COM
panies of naval militia which
constitute battalion to be known as the
naval battalion of the volunteer militia
The officers of this battalion would consist
of lieutenant commander, whose rank and
pay would assimilate to that of major of
infantry; and a staff to consist of one adju-
tant, one ordnance officer, one paymaster,
who shall be the mastering officer, and one
surgeon, each with rank of lieutenant jun
i0r grade. These officers would be paid the
same as battalion staffs in the militia. To
the staffs would be attached these petty off
GERS: master-at-armS, two ye0men, one
hospital ste 4ard one chief buyer. To each
company there would be one lieutenant COM
manding, two lieutenants junior grade, two
ensigns, to receive the same pay as captains,
hrst and second lieutenants respectively of
infantry; two boatswain's mates. two gun
ner's mates. two coxswains, two quarter
masters and forty-four seamen.
Notes.
The proceedings of the Senate were op-
ened today by prayer by Rev. Hannah Pratt,
a Friend divine of Augusta.
The judiciary committee report fought to
pass" on the bill to incorporate the South
Portland Land Co.
The legal affairs cammittes report sought
not to pass on Senator Poor's bill which
would require every voter to sign his name
on the back of his ballot.
The Deering Enabling Act was taken from
the Senate table by Senator Libby today
and referred to the judiciary committee.
Senator Libby presents a bill to amend
subdivision Is OF sec. 6 of chap. 1, II. S., by
including corporation seals as well as the
seals Of courts, magistrates and public offic-
ers under the provision relating to seals.
Mr. Looney presented today the resolution
OF the Portland Prohibition Club in favor of
the Australian ballot system.
MrLooney presents the petition of Martha
j. Goss that the pension paid to her late hus-
band, Eli Goss, be paid to her.
A large number of the leading citizens of
Wateryile protest against allowing the Wat
erville & Fairfield Horse Railroad to use
electricity.