The Washington times., 1895-01-01
Ancient Requirements in Regard
to the Citizen SOldieTy.
NECESSARY REVISION NEEDED
Bills Pending in the House Having
That Object in View.
Gen. Curtis Measure Proposes TO Include
All Able-bodied Citizens Between the
Ages of Eighteen and Forty-five-To Be
Divided into National Guard and Re-
serve-ApprOpriation of 100000 Asked.

A Rip Van Wnkle who went to sleep leo
years ago would scarcely recognize that he
had been asleep if he were to wake up to-day
and read the militia laws now upon the stat
ute books, which Gems. Curtis and Hawley
are trying to get repealed.
Ii is a curious fact that the bills introduced
to promote the efficiency OF the militia, in
the House and Senate, by Gen. Curtis, of New
York. and Gen Hawley, of Connecticut, pro-
pose to repeal much of the cumbersome and
lcng ago useless law placed upon the statute Q
books in 1902.
Here are some gems from the present law,
as if stands upon the statute books to-day:
Every citizen shall, after notice OF his en-
rollment be constantly provid d with good
musket or flrelock, of a bore sufficient for
balls OF the eighteenth part of a pound sui
ficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints or a
good riae, shot pouch and powder horn,
twenty balls, and quarter Of a pound of
powder, and shall appear so armed and ac-
coutered when called out. Each officer shall
be armed with sword or hanger and a
spontoon Each dragoon shall furnish him-
self wIth a serviceable horse, saddle, bride.
mail pillion, and valise"
So the mi:itianan OF a century ago, who
would wake up to see company or regiment
OF militia caparisoned according to the pro-
visions of this existing law. would imagine
that he had only been asleep over night. Or
if be should read the present law his opinion
could not be much different.
particularlY suFDriSinV that
Gen. Hawley IN the Senate and Gen. Curtis
in the House are making a push for the
thorough revision OF the laws. which should
have been done years ago. a law which re-
quires miiitiamen, inofae year 1895, 70 a p
pear for service armed with aint lock mu $
kets = with two extra flints and twenty
balls and a quarter OF a pJund OF powder, a
powder horn aud shot pouch, does seem to
be
A LITTLE OUT OF PLACE.
The proposed measure which Gen. Curtis
is pressing in the House, and which has been
subject OF very carefui study with him, pro-
Yides that the militia of the United States
shall include ali abie-bodied male citizens be
tween the ages OF eighteen and iorty-five. and
to be divided into two classes, the organized
to be known rs the National Guard OF the
state. and the unorganized to be known aa
the Reserve Militia The National Guard is TO
be made up OF such organizations "a the States,
Territories, aud District Of Columbia may
authorize. The bill authorizes he President,
whenever the nited States are invaded. or in
imminent danger of invasion or rebellion. to
call forth such membersot the National Guard
as ne may think necessary from the State or
States nearest or most convenient TO the
scene OF need, and he may in time of peace
accept from the Governor OF each State such
number OF the National Guard as may be Of
ferei for the purposs OF united instruct ion
and discipline. When the National Guard
generally is called into action the
distribution of the call is to be according to
populations this also TO app ly to the reserve
militia. Both are to be subj ect. when called
into the actual service OF the United States,
to the same rules as regular troops. The
reserve militia is not to be iiabl to be called
into service, except by special act of Con-
gress.
The National Guard. when called into
service. are to be subject to nine months
service, if required by the President. Their
pay. rations. clothing, etc., are to be the same
as those OF regular troops, aud they arc re-
quired 20 be drilled in the same tactics en-
pioyed in the regular Army. The widow or
child Of persons who die II the militia While
in the service of the United States are to re-
ceiye half pay
FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.
Ine Dill provides Iilrtt T4JJ,UJJ Sudil 10 Hp-
propratel by the government each year for
supplying arms, ordnance, subsistence, med
ical stores and camp equipment to the Ma
tionaI Guard. This is TO be apportioned to
the States in proportion to their Congres-
siohal representation. that to the Territories
and District OF Columbia under such regua-
tions as the President may establish: but
each State. in order to receive its share, shall
maintain at least 100 nilitiamen for each
member and Senator in Congress. The
States receiving such appropriation are re-
( quiret TO send all their companies into. Il
camp OF instruction or some United States
/ fort for instruction in heavy artillery at leas
seven days in each year. and 30 assemble lor
/ drill at least twelve times each year.
/ They are TO be annually inspected by an
/ official OF the government, and the Secretary
I OF War may detail officers of the United States
/ Army TO attend the encampments and repor
/ thereon. The Secretary of War may also de
tail army officers, where desired and founG
practicable, to serve as officers Of tht
national guard under appointment by thu
I Governor OF the State Tor that purpose, bu
they may at any time be recalled into tht
. service of the regular army.
an earnest effort is to be made. as soon a:
an opportunity offers. to press the Curtis bill
/ in the House, and its author is quite hopefu
1 OF its passage.
---<s- o s--