New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-10
TO IMPROVE THE MILITIA.
LEGISLATION IN THE INTEREST OF
STATE TROOPS PROPOSED IN
CONGRESS.
TIID OUTLOOK FAVORABLE FOR THE PASSAGE or
NEW IAw-PROvIsIONs OF THE BILLS RE
PORTED by SENATOR HAWI.EY AND
REPRESENTATIVE MARSH
fpy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

Washington, Feb "a number OF Senators and
Representatives who are much interested in the
subject purpose making earnest efforts TO secure
the passage by the present Congress OF a bill TO
revise all laws relating TO the militia with II view
TO the promotion OF the efficiency Of tho State
troops In the Senate Messrs. Hawey, Sewell and
Proctor have given serious attention TO the matter
and among Representatives who nope 10 see re-
organization BIZ go through this session are Messrs
Marsh Curtis OF NewYork; Curtis, OF Iowa. ana
Myer General Hawley. chairman OF the senate
Committee on Military Affairs, and MI Marsh, the
bead Of the House Committee on Militia, have re-
red bills on the subject In some States. notably
in New-York Massachusetts,. Pennsylvania, ILLINOIS,
Ohio Connecticut, Iowa, Wisconsin ana LOUISIANA
the National Guard is strong in NUMBERS anu
many OF It's members in these States have recently
shown considerable activity IN the direction OF
securing a revision of existing laws. the main
features OF which were enacted in 1882 Their zeai
has had It's effect on Senators and Represeh,a"Nes'
and the outlook is favorable to the passage pS iHIS
Congress OF a law. one point "hlch II du-
yan,ag eous to the Hawley and Marsh piiIs - tn"I
II they become a law the expenses OF the GOV
orren, will not be increased They put the militia
on a modern footing without increasing the uo'-
ernment's share in the expenses OF malh'ehanee'
Tic Havlev and Marsh bills are similar IN erect
They differ in one essential particular Ho"e'o''
About this there Is likely to be some serious Wis
question when the measures are debated. The point
Of difference involves the question or the power Vi
,b President 10 call forth the militia 10 execute
the laws of the country to suppress insurreeuons
and repel invasions. Under TINS heau 'he H"s
hill nrovIdes that the President may can OUT SUN
number of the organized militia OF any "'"'0 VI
States or the District OF Columbia as he may deeA
noccssarv hut he IL compelled TO make requisitioh
u,on the Governor or Governors of a state Oh
States for the number Of troops Whlch ne may oo
ueve 10 oc required The Marsh Dill pIoVueS '!i"'
II shall be lawful for the President 10 can Out 'e
militia for the purposes mentioned ana 10 issuo
his orders TO such of its officers as ne ma! th'"
nroner Officers Of the militia who have written 10
friends in Congress seem generally TO FAVOR the
provision in the Marsh bill They say mat IL nSh'
occur that Governors OF States would not holoi
the reouisiton Of the President but decline 10 Iu'-
nish militia at his request in time OF nced' ana
that +, woulo be impossible to get out the militia
for National defence. They think that there Is 100
much States rights doctrine in the idea OF the SEN
ate bill
The Marsh BILL which was more recently reported
and which will be the first 10 be considered pro-
Iides that the militia Is TO consist OF every able
bodied male citizen OF the respective States, Ter
ritories and the District of Columbia who Is more
than eighteen and less than forty five years OF age
The militia is divided into two classes. The en-
listed and uniformed organization is TO be known as
the National Guard the remainder Is 20 be called
The Reserve Militia The term Of an original en-
lstmen is fixed at three years. ana tnat OF o re-
Of enlistment expires when the troops are in tie
service of the Government it is continue In force
until the expiration OF the time for which they were
called forth provided the extension does not ex-
coed ninety days. Every officer and man OF the
militia ca lied into the service of the Government is
to be held in such service from the date of the pub
iication of the call. Officers and men who refuse
TO obey call are TO be subject TO trial by court
composed of members Of the militia.
The organization Of the militia and me nuinner
rank and Of its staff officers are TO be such as
the laws OF the respective States prescribe but the
formations and matters of discipline are to conform
as closely practicable to those prescribed Tor me
Army. Four hundred thousand dollars are 70 be
annually appropriated for the purpose Of providing
for the issue to the militia Of such war material n
tary stores. camp cqupage and supplies, plank
forms. drill regulation and other DOCKS as ma! pe
Army. The militia Is authorized TO purchase from
the war Department any war materia! furnished
to the Army at the prices charged TO lhe resTa'
All militia not excused BY the Governor OF StAte
Is to go into 6p 6r or be eat @
consecutive days each year, or 10 assemble ana
dril not less than five DAYS Zach Gopany ,gop
by an officer of the regular Army. The Secretary
company and aid the State Inspector THIS ohlcer
is 10 submit a report TO tho Secretary OF war or
the condition and efficiency Of the troops ne m
TO the Governor OF the State in which the inspec-
ton occurred. The Secretary of War is also au;
any encampment Of the militia when requested to
do so by the Governor of a Stat; state troops
to eXpend in target practice such quantity OF am
An officer Of the Army Is TO be detailed To super
the target practice.
ne or 1i s 0cT or p T Of one h
militia is disabled by reason OF wounds or disabi-
e % in the ~ o TGT b h OF thS sc ne
existing at the time OF such service In OF his
death in consequence OF wounds or disabilities his
widow and children. II any, are 10 receive similar
benefits. Another section repeals Sections LC2j TO
lGl both inclusive, Of the Revised Statutes. An
other section repeals a number OF existing laws
l3tinE 10 the organization % the militia.