The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-22
THE NEW ARMY-LAW.
Provisions of the Measure Just Pass
ed by Congress.

Washington, April 22.-The army bill,
as passed by the senate, contains Ia sec
lions, which may be summarized as
follows:
Section 1.-Provides that all able bod
led male citizens between the ages of Is
and As shall constitute the national
forces.
Sec .2-Defnes the regular army and
the volunteer army comprising the land
forces.
Sec. 3.-Further defines the regular
army; provides also that the president
may authorize the secretary of war to
organize companies, troops, battaliOnS
or regiments, possessing special quail
hcatlOnS from the nation at large under
such rules and regulations, including
the appointment of the officers thereof,
as may be prescribed by the secretary
of war.
CThis provision is a senate amend
ment to authorize the enlistment of
plainsmen and others as proposed in
Senator Warren'S biIl.)
Sec 4.-Provides that the volunteer
army shall be maintained only during
the existence of war, or while war is
imminent and shall be organized only
upon the authorization of congress;
provides also that enlistments shall be
for a term of three years unless sooner
terminated and that all volunteers shall
be discharged upon the accomplishment
of the purpose for which they enlisted;
provided, further, that existing organl-
cations of the state militia may,at their
discretion, be turned into service for
term of one year.
(This latter provision was inserted as
a senate amendment.)
Sec. 5.-Provides for enlistment, fol-
lowing the presidents proclamation,
stating the number of men required I'M
der regulations to be prescribed by the
secretary of war; and provides, also,
that as far as practicable the volunteer
army shall be taken from the several
states and territories in proportion to
their population.
Sec. 6.-Provides that the regulations
of the regular army shall apply to the
volunteers, provides that regimental
and company officers shall be appointed
by the governors of the states organic
ing the volunteers, subject to such ex-
animation as to fitness and capacity as
the president may prescribe; provides
that such regiments shall have two sur
geons and two assistant surgeons
Sec. 7.-Provides for recruiting to
maintain the maximum strength OF
volunteer organizations.
Sec S.-Provides for certification to
the pension office of all records Of vol
unteer organizations.
Sec. 9.-ProVideS for three battalion
organizations.
Sec 1O-Enumerates the officers who
shall compose the STATS of corps, divis-
ion and brigade commanders; provides
also that the same shall be appointed
by the president, by and with the con-
sent of the senate, and may be drawn
from the volunteer army or the regular
army.
Sec 11-Authorizes the appointment
of one major general for each corps and
division, one brigadier general for each
brigade, to be selected from regular
army or volunteers, and provides that
such officers so appointed from the reg
uIar army may retain the rank so con-
ferred.
Sec. 12-Provides that regular army
and volunteer officers and men shall be
on the same footing as to pay, pensions,
etc.
Sec 13-Authorizes the president to
commission one regular army officer IN
each volunteer regiment
Sec. 14.-Provides for military boards
and courts martial to examine as to ca
pacity, qualifications and conduct of Of
ficers of the volunteer army and for the
discharge of those adversely passed up
on.