Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-22
CHANCES AGAINST Ii
THE PASSAGE OF THE MILITARY CODE
PLACED IN JEOPARDY.
Amendment Reducing the Approprfati"n
One Half Adopted-Motion to Re-
consider Passed by.

The Legislature seems willing to pass the
bill, but whether in form that will make
it acceptable to the military people is yet
TO be determined.
The volunteer militia Of the State are
very deeply interested in this matter and
have gwen great deal Of study and
thought 10 the subject and have en-
deavored to show the legislators wherein
the proposed changes in the laws are
needed to add to the efficiency Of the ser
vice.
BEFORE THE SENATE.
The Senate held n special session last
night TO give consideration TO this subject;
When Lieutenanl-GOvernor Tyler called
the body 10 order there were not l1any
members present; for an hour but eighteen
could be counted, and at no time were
there more than twentY-one senators ID
the chamber.
The point at issue WAS the amendment OF
Mr.. Woods, Of Charlotte. proposing TO re-
duce the appropriation to the military from
one half Of per cent. on the gross TeVe-
nues Of the State, exclusive Of the school
tax. TO one fourth of per cent, or IN other
words 10 cut IL down one half.
This amendment was offered on Ihurs-
day, when il was discussed at some length,
and it was then decided best TO set apart
one night 10 pass on the amendments ana
TO take a vote at o'clock to-day on the
engrossment of the bill
Mr.. HELToS's VIEWS.
Mr.. Heaton advocated the amendment
in a speech of about twenty minutes ana
INTO which he threw good deal OF humor'
He could see no necessity whatever tor so
large an appropriation as SiO,O0O., lie con-
tended that not more than half the money
given by the State in years past had been
used as the law designed it should be-for
the actual support Of the State troops.
With this thing Of encampments, dress-pa-
rades, and public exhibitions the state mas
nothing to do and should not be expected
to bear the expense.
Mr.. Heaton thought the good accom-
plished by the troops IN cases OF emergency
and supposed trouble had been greatly
mapnifed. Virginia IN her impoverished
condition and with her Treasury IN a state
that demands strict economy and curtail,
ment Of her expenditures should noJ
be asked 20 support system OF
military to preserve order in cities,
towns. or mining districts. The Sena-
tor here announced his utter as
approval of the immigration OF Hungarians
and other foreigners inclined 10 create dls.
order into this state. and declared that II
the mining companies will persist III
having them they must organize and sup
port their own military company or other
official force to protect their property ana
maintain order. In the cities the police
force should be sufficiently large to pre-
vent riots or other disturbances liable to
eliminate IN much damage to life or pro-
perty. 49,
whose commendable ambition he had only
words of praise. should bear their own ex-
penses when they went off on an excursion
To New York, or elsewhere. to parade
in full dress and enjoy Themselves
the same when they found 1t agreeable
to 90 somewhere for a summer encamp-
ment. The smiles of ladies, ne remarked,
should be the compensation OF the men
III fine uniforms. For these they sh0uiu
be willing to spend their means and rig
themselves up handsomely. Nothing
would draw the attention of the feminine
eve or cause the gentle heart to pulsate
more quickly as will bright, shining-cord-
ed uniforms, plumes, and gllstenlng armor.
These men would never impress the ladies
if they kept in their ordinary citizen
dress. lLaughter.l
In conclusion, the gentleman from LOU
doun spoke of the necessity tor retrench-
ment IN the expenses of the State govern
mcnt. Demands for money are oeing inhue
from all quarters; from the insane asylums
the other hand it cannot be concealed that
the Treasury is in "A depleted condition.
He urged the Senate To vote Tor the reduc-
ton.
THE OTHER SIDE.
Mr.. Harrison. the patron Of the bill, next
smoke. he thought the amendment origi-
mated in purpose to have funny speech
ont of the humorous Senator from Char-
! lotte, but the bachelor from Loudoun had
shown such a hostile disposition as evil
IDENTITY emanated from a defeat by uni
form when tender glances were the prlze.
! The question was a single one, small we de-
stroy the militia system OF the state seven
times had they been ordered out during
the last year, showing the Importance
of having a militia force We have
no standing army, and the Bill OF Rights.
and in fact Article X. Of the Constitution,
enions upon the Legislature OF the state
to encourage by proper legislation the
militia force. II was very necessary IN the
| changing OF firearms to have force
| drilled to the drum who knew now 10
| handle modern weapons. lie compared
| the appropriat .ons made by other states
with appropriations made by Virginia.
| New York. for instance, gives @4OOOOO,
| Massachusetts,, Sl75, 900, and Connecticut,
| S220, 900, &c.
If the Legislature proposed TO strike
down the companies, which would be the
| first TO be disbanded. The one at WIN
! chester. at Norfolk, at Lynchburg? The
civil authorities needed protection at a
| distance from Richmond, and local CON-
/ panies in different sections OF the state are
| essential to preserve law and order.
! Fspeciallv are the State troops necessary
at this special iuncture, Mr.. Harrison con-
| tinued. If national election law IS passed
and the creatures OF partisan President,
as Judges of election, lnclted riots, let
not the Governor Of this State be forced to
call upon the President of the United
! States for troops TO carry out partisan pur-
poses at the polls.
A fine parade on pageant occasions IS
! fine advertisement for the State and III
! this way the money Is returned tor the eX-
! pense incurred.
rne pending bill proposes simply e.
/ the need of codifying scattered laws, 1t ap-
pears. is 10 be made the occasion ol
| striking down the militia.
ANOTHER OF ITS FRIENDS.
Mr.. Heaton briefly replied TO Mr.. Harri-
son, and in speaking of the parade OF
troops at the centennial celebration n
/ New York said he thought it would have
been far better had the State not been re-
presented at all.
Mr.. Lovenstein said he hoped when the
volunteer militia OF the State came before
the Senate TO ask that the military laws bs
so amended as 10 perfect them the attempt
would not be made to destroy their use
fulness altogether by the adoption of tht
amendment which would cut off one ball
of the appropriation. He contended that
members Of volunteer companies were
mostly young men living on salaries
giving their time. their moLey, anc
their services for the purpose o.
sustaining the volunteer militia, anc
he thought it was as little as the STATE
could do TO aid them in keeping up then
organization. The senator from Loudoun
he said, had called upon senator's repre-
senting country constituencies-the tax
payers of the State-to vote for the amend
ment. He Uovenstein) cOntended tha
those who represented cities upon TIM
floor represented some of the taX-paylns
communities i'll the State. and tina
every city had contributed to The
support of the military of thei
respective cities. In. Richmond larg'
sums had been appropriated 10 buil'
armories and support the military
Ii Is not tor the protection of cities, ne ar
gued, that volunteers were most needed
because they have efficient police and mr.
departments, but it Is IN places where NJ
volunteer companies are that their service