Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-07
AN ORGANIZED MILITIA.
Gen. Does Bill to Make the Country,s
Citizen-Soldiers Effective.
Ernrn the Phil idelI rIY1nns

Gen. Does Bill to Make the Country,s
Citizen-SoIdiers Effective.
From the Philadelphia Times.
In 1877, when lawiessness largely pre.
vailed in our great centers IF industry and
along the lines Of our chief highways from
Maine to California, the utter inefiiciency
of the militia organizations was clearly es-
tabished. They were valueless to main
tain the peace, and in many instances fra
ternized with the laWless people when they
were brought to confront them. There was
no military pride, no sense of military duty
and both person and property were abso-
lutely helpless against the organized mobs
which possessed our railroad lines and de-
fled alike municipal and state authority.
The sad experience of that year led to
the organization under state laws Of what
is known the National Guard
\ bill has been prepared by General Doe,
assistant secretary OF war, and formerly
adjutant general Of the National Guard of
Wisconsin, VINO is recognized as one of our
best authorities as to the method of or
SaniZing and maintaining the militia The
bill mas been submitted to experienced mill
tary men connected with our state military
organizations, and has baen very generally
approved. 1t is about to be presented to
Congress, and its passage would ACCOMPLISH
what is now an obvions necesSity-.hat IS a
uniform organized militia force on an ac-
tUal military basis in every state and ter
ritGry in the Union.
The bill provides that the militia Of the
nation shall consist of every abie-b ed
male citizen N states, territories and Dis
tr.ct of Columbia between eighteen ana for
ty-lve years Of age, ana they are t. be di-
vded into two classes, to me known as the
organized and reserve militia. The r.r5an-
izei militia VIII be practically our present
National Guard.
When the United States is invaded, or is
In tp1rninnDt 6ar pf in ali i,yra f,r
eign foe, the President may call for such
number of organized militia Of any state
or states as he may deem necessary 10 re-
pei such invasion, or suppress such rebel
Ion, ana to make his reGuiStion upon the
governors of the states to that effect,
When the militia shall thus be called into
the service of the general government thev
Will be deemed to be in the service OF the
United States from the p-Y:oi OF their ac-
ceptance by the President, AMI shall be
subject to such rules and articles Of war
as regulate the troops Of the United States.
The President can Summon them for duty
only for period of nine months, and when
thus summoned they may bc ordered any
where within or without the territory of
the Union.
Any state or territory may. with the ap-
from the War Department for the use of
the organize! militia any military stores OF
supplies such as are furnished to the army,
and every state or territory shall REQUIRE
its organized militia to 81 into camp Of in
struction or report to . United States fort
for instruction in heavy artillery at least
1--WE consecutive days ani to assemble for
drill AMI instruction not less than twelve
days, with no longer time than 100 days be
tween two drills
This is an important measure. and should
command the approval Of Congress. There
is little danger Of ri3rou; outbreak when
it is known tina. the laWless will ne speed
lily confronted with military force that is
trained to military duty. ana vii! promptly
and reSO,utely obey o. l-rs to assert the
majesty Of the law. Th2 passage Of this act
should he ACCOMPLISHED by the present Con
gress. Il is in the In crest of law and or
der, and altogether in .he line OF national
safety.