The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-04
Il WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1903.
NEW MILITIA LAW.


Fl especially for the organized militia Of the
An several States. It places great power IN
the hands OF the President, and puts the
militia aforesaid in position to be
called out at tho first tocsin Of war, and
to be marched into any other State OF
the Union, or, for all that 1t says to the
contrary, across the border into Canada
cor Mexico. But on the other hand, 1t
Il makes far better provision for their
N naintenance, equipment and encampment
than has been made heretofore. The sum
Of 50, ooo,o0 is appropriated to carry out
the provisions Of the new law.
THE act divides the militia Into two
ciasses-the organized militia. to ho
known as "thc National Guard" or by
such other designation as may be given
them BY the laws Of their respective
Is States, and the remainder to be known
as"the Reserve Militia"
The organized and uniformed active
militia who have heretofore participated.
or shall hereafter participte in the ap-
portionment Of the annual appropriations
provided by Congress will constitute the
81 organized militia, The President of the
United States may Ak the minimum num-
Der OF enlisted men In each company.
Whenever the United States us invad-
ed, or In danger OF invasion from any
foreign nation. or Of rebellion, or against
tha authority Of the United States. or
whenever the President Is unable with
the forces at his command to execute the
laws Of the Union in any part OF the
Union he is authorized to call forth, for
q period not exceeding nine months,
.,such number Of the militia OF the State,
or OF the States and Territories. or Of
~ the District Of Columbia, as he may deem
necessary to repel such invasion, sup
" press such rebellion, or to enable him to
execute such laws, and to issue his or
Vi ders. for that purpose to such officers Of
the militia as he may think proper"
& Observe, the President need not call
upon the Governors at all. AS we UNDER
stand It, he may tissue his orders to
such officers OF the militia as he may
Il think proper"
* When called into service under this
law the organized militia will be subject
to the same rules and Articles Of War
Fas the regular troops of the United
States, and will draw the like pay.
# The Governor Of each State is author
tzed to make requistion for such NUM-
HI Der Of the United States standard service
arms, accouterments and equipments as
are required for the orga ni2ed militia in
his State. The United States will not
X charge for these. nor for any which has
been issued, SINCE December |. 1901: nor
charge any expense connected herewith
against the allotment to said State out Of
the annual appropriation provided by
section 1861 of the revised statutes as
amended. Upon receipt Of the new arms
3Sltc,, the old arms, etc., must be turned In
when the organized militia OF State
Is sufficiently armed and equipped for
lctlve duty In the field the United States
Rill pay the State so much OF its allot-
Ha nent out of the annual appropriation un-
fer section 1861 r. S.. as may be neces-
sary for the payment. subsistence and
transportation Of such portion of the
militia as. shall engage in actual field or
camp service for instruction. and the Of
Macers and enlisted men OF such militia
will be entitled 10 pay. allowances, etc,
~ The Secretary OF War is authorized tc
H provide for the participation OF any par,
IN OF the organized militia in military du
Il ties at or near any military post or CAM
OF the United States. Upon tho recon-
II 1nendation Of the Governor and when au
thorized by the President they may hav
the full benefits OF any United State
# military school or college upon the sam
\ terms as regular officers.
Practice marches. or attendance i
II camp Of instruction. for five consecuuv
days each year is REQUIRED OF all troop
& not excused by Governor. The benefit
the pension laws will be extended to an
officer non commissioned officer or pr
yate who may be disabled by reason {
wounds or disa abilities incurred In the sol
vice OF the United States.
Boards Of Examiners will be appointe
to examine persons specially qualified
hold commissions In forces. which ma
hereafter be created by Congress. othe
ta than Yorces composed Of organized m!liti
~ Upon the conclusion Of such examine
ton the board will certify to the Wa
Department It's judgment as to the ntnes
OF the applicant, stating the ONCE.
n any. which It deems him qualified to III
Il and. upon approval by the President. III
names OF the persons certified to be qua
s ied shall be Inscribed upon registe
to be kept II. the War Department. Thes
qualified persons may either receive a cs
B5,detship at West Point or a commissio
85tn any volunteer force hereafter raised,
NJ The bill was framed by the Nationi
Association OF National Guardsmen at
rnekting at which, We belieye. Wright
WIS not represented. because our mil
Try had no money to pay the expense
3stl delegates We have been tolG, how
aver, that generally speaking the militar
1,aye the proposition their approval.
In Virginia our organized and un
toruiedS militia are not called Nation