Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-26

The fact that many OF the officers o
the Virginia military disagree with At
torney-Generel Montague IN his opinion
that entering the service OF the United
| States deprived them Of their commits
sions in the State volunteers, has neve
been made prominent. but the opinion il
some quarters is very strong.
1t is held by those who are opposed
to the Attorney-Generals views that
under the terms Of the entrance OF Vir'
ginia volunteer officers into the service
of the United States, they could not be
regarded as quitting the service of Vir-
gina. All officers under the volunteer
army bill up to and including the rank
Of colonel were commissioned by the
Governors Of the States. They could
not be held 10 have accepted a post under
the National Government When they
were mustered out Of the service they
simply returned from detached service,
and should have been ordered to rejoin
their State organizations.
Those who take this view point TO the
action of the Governor of Connecticut
last week. The Third Connecticut Regi-
ment returned home Monday, after being
mustered out al a southern camp. On the
following day the Governor of the State
issued an order directing that the regi-
ment, which had been on detached SER
vice" be again attached to the State
brigade In every other State, Il is
claimed that this course has been fol-
lowed, with possibly two or three eX-
ceptions. including Virginia.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL is FIRM.
Attorney-General Montague is firmly Of
the opinion that he was right in his con-
struction Of the law.
1.-THE Virginia statute is plain" he said
yesterday. Under it every officer and
enlisted man Of the Virginia volunteers
who entered the United States army was,
ipso facto, mustered out of the service
of the State, II the statutes Of the States
in which the State troops were re-
garded as having been merely on de-
tached duty are the same as that If Nir-
ginia on this subject. then all l have TO
say is that the law in those States has
been improperly construed, in my judg-
ment.
However" concluded Mr.. Montague,
Il wish the courts Of this State would
pass upon the question l did not wish
to assume the responsibility CT deciding
it, and should be glad TO know mat the
bench sustained me, which L have but
little doubt it would do
THE DISARMAMENT ORDER.
Governor Tyler will, in a few days,
issue his orders for the disbandment Of
the military and reorganization Of new
The delay has been due TO the |
questions arising in connection with the |
ownership of property held by the organi- |
cations before entering the national SER !
vice. Attorney-General Montague was |
asked for an opinion as 20 whether the |
would pass 10 the new organi- |
cations. He will render il in a few days. |
The old First Regiment had in hand |
when its companies were assigned to the 7.
Second and Third between 5000 and |
Is 900. which was raised for the purpose /
IF buying new uniforms. 1t is understood /
hat trustees will be appointed 10 take
charge OF this money.
The fighting in the Philippines has
iroused the martial spirit of the MEM
)ers Of the Virginia regiments recently /
mustered out. Several Of them have ex-
PRESSED a desire TO enlist for service there
and should there be a call for troops
hey will do so. An eX-ofhcer says re
kinks three companies can be raised in
Richmond without difficulty.