The morning times., 1896-06-08

At last an effort is TO be made TO change
the law regulating the militia OF tie
country.
But few la wnakerS even know that the
act under which tie militia exists was
passed IN 1892, aud that there has been
no change i'll the law since. The fact
that there is Il National Guard seems to
have given rise TO the belief that new
la VS. have been enacted. But the Ma
tional Guard is only a part of the militia
OF the country and the old muster days
could be things OF the present were 1t so
desired.
Gen Doe. Assistant Secretary of War,
called the attention of one Of the Senate rs
to this fact in IA most pleasant way one day
during the winter. The Senator had
been talking with the general and could
see no especial reason tor any change in
the militia la VS..
Why, III warrant you're breaking the
militia law of the country today, said
Gen. Doe.
The militia law has nothing to do
with me, so how could | be breaking it?''
was the reply.
We'll. listen to this" exclaimed the
Assistant Secretary of War, as he picked
up a volume and read:
SOME REQUIREMENTS.
Every able bodied male citizen of the re-
spective States, resident therein, who
sof the agr of eigh teen years, and underline
age of forty-five years, shall be enrolled i'll
the militia.
Every citizen shall, after notice of his
enrolment, be constantly provided with
a gooImusket or firclnck. Of a bores efficient
for balls OF the eigh teenth part OF pound,
a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare
nj "A Erlg a
therein to contain not less than twenty
four cartridges. suited to the bore of his
muSket or firclOCk. each cartridge 10 con-
tain a proper quantity of powder and bail;
or with a good rifle, knapSack, sho
pouch, and pOwderh orn, twenty balls
suited TO the bore OF his rifle, and quarter
OF a pound OF powder. and shall appear
armed, aCCoGrtcred, and provided when
called out 10 exercise or into service, except
that when called out on company days 10
exercise only he may appear without
knapSack: and all arms, ammunition, and
Announcements so provided and required
shall bel cid exempted from all suits, dis
trcSScS, executions, or sales for debt or for
the payment of taxes. Each commits
stoned officer shall be armed with a sword
or hanger and spontOon."
Now" continued Mr.. Doe, "are you
provided with good musket or firclock?
me what a spontoonis?"
DID NOT HAVE A MUSKET.
The Senator was dumbfounded and was
forced 10 answer each question in the.
negative. He knows what spontoon
is now but is reServing that knowledge to
spring on the Senate when the bill comes
up for debate. The measure has received
the sanction of the Committee on Military
affairs and will undoubtedly become a
law at the next session of Congress.
The committee has taken a very Shrewd
move in the matter of printing the new
bill. The experience Of Gen. Doe was
utilized. Every member of Congress can
see the difference because the old law,
or rather the present Ia W, is printed section
by section with the new.
The new measure proposes that the
militia shall consist Of every able-bOdled
male citizen of the respective States, Terri
tories, and the District OF Columbia, who
is more than eighteen and less than forty
five years of age, and shall he divided into
two ClasseS-the organized, to be known
as the National Guard of the State, Terri
tory, or the District of Columbia, and the
unorganzed, 10 be known as the Reserve
Militia