The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-06
TEXANS WHO ARE LIABLE.
State Law on Service as Soldiers BY
Citizsns.
A GOOD LONG LIST OF EXEMPTIONS.
Hat None Arc 10 he Excused In Case
NJ Observation-Disclosures for one
Class Only.

just at this time. when negotiations are
pending between this country and Spain
regarding The Cuban situation and the
Maine Disaster the question very naturally
arises as to what persons IN the several
states are liable for military duty In event
hostilltes arc declared. While all States
base their military law on that OF the
United States, some go further and impose
certain penalties for failure to promptly
respond TO emergency calls, yet others APP
parently rely wholly upon the patriotism
OF the citizens. II war should be declared
the military laws OF several OF the States,
which have slumbered peacefully since the
close OF the civil war, would be quickly
revived and their weight and force effect
ually felt. Chapter 1 of the Texas statutes
giving the general provisions for the militia
reads.
Those who are liable for military duty
are all able ouied male citizens between
the ages OF is and 10 years. and not herein |
expressly exempted shall be liable for mil
itary duty in accordance with the proYi-
Sens OF this title The persons exempted,
except IN cases of instruction or inva-
siot. are
The vice president of the United States
The officers. judicial and executive. oI
the ltaited States.
al members and officers of both houses
OF congress.
All custom house officers and their clerks.
All postmastcrs and perfons employed
in the transportation OF United states
mails.
All ferrymon employed at any ferry on .
public roads.
All inspectors OF exports.
All artlhcers aud worlmen EMPLOYED IN
the armorics and arsenals of the United
States
All pilots
All marines actually employed in the sea
service OF any citizen or merchant within
the"United States. I
The lieutenant governor and the heads ,
81 the several executive departments OF
the State government,
All Judges and clerks of all courts OF
record
All public millers II
All ministers Of the gospel exclusively
engaged in their calling
All active hremen belonging TO or at
tachch TO any fire organization b
All persons IN the military service OF the q
state under laws rcguatlug the protection
O! the frontier or the suppression OF law
|
State. Il
Any person Who conscientiously scruples +
TO bear arms shall not be compelled to do
so, but shall pay an equivalent for per-
sonal services.
The statutes divides the militia into twp ;
classes known as the reserve militia aud o
the volunteer guard" The former con- a
ssts OF all persons liable to military duty h
who have not attached themselves by on /
listment to the volunteer guard while the \
volunteer guard consists OF Just wha,
Texas supports today. h
Should hostilItles be declared. as some
seem 10 think will he the case. there would y
oe very few able bodied men free from (
duty II called upon TO serve
Vnler occasions extraordinary. there
would be an enrolment of all persons
liable for duty, and they would he called !
upon to drill and otherwise AZ themselves
Tor active service. Some States Impose
lines for failure to respond. Missouri for ,
instance exacts fine of 81 for each day. ,
Another feature of the military duty IL
found In the last clause OF the Texas k
statutes just quoted. with reference TO the II
person who scruples % bear arms. That n
70 founded on a very old law. which would
hardly be applicable to 100 people ri
1855 wv 'ho P'oNleiuH IN HiAuc iof lnOSr | ,,
whose religion forbids them from even a
killing in time Of war. In this class arc a
the Qualters.
A declaration Of war would not lind o
Texas lacking in forces adapted 10 land o
action but she would he seriously handi-
'apped when 1t came TO drilling naval ta,-
les. War hctweon tho United States and
Spain will furnish little glory for the IN s
fantry, or cavalry unless perchance. they n
should be commanded to invade tho Island ),
of Cubn, One advantage that renders the y
liexas Lousianan and inhahitant along Il
tho Southern gulf coast ms Tar as Florida II
invaluable In case an invasion OF the island I,
ls found necessary, Is their adaptabillty c,
to the climatic conditions OF tho country Il
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