The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1911-03-21
To Form Third Division Of Gov
eminent Army on Mexi-
can Border.
POWER WITH president
Congressional Enactment Gives Pres
dent Of United States Control
Of the National Guard
in the States.
Special to the Daily Light.

! Special to the Daily Light.
Washington, March 21-Talk OF
! modifying part of the National
! Guard as a possible third division on
/ the Mexican border has raised the
question as to the extent OF Presi-
/ cent Taft's authority over the state
/ troops. 1t developed conflict OF
| opinions between the war depart
ment and capitol hill authorities.
1 A military, official expressed the
opinion that the president could not
get the National Guard out of state
without consulting" the governor
and obtaining his consent.
Congressional authority is to the
effect that, under a variety of con
ditions, the president not only can
order out all the ggardsmen who
have qualified under the Dick Mill
tia laws, but can send them TO fo3
eign lands regardless of the feelings
of governors.
The first Dick bill passed in 1903,
provided that the organized militia
that adopted the organization anna
ment and discipline of the regular
army should share in fund OF 81
100000 annually and receive, free
all the equipments of regular army
soldiers,
The president was authorized, in
case of invasion, threatened invas-
ion, rebellion, or to execute the
laws of the union to call out the mi
litia to serve for not more than nine
in any part of the country
He was empowered to give orders
direct to the officers of the militia.
No mention was made of the COVER
nors.
In 1908 Dick bill to amend the
laws of 1903 was passed. The an
nual fund was increased to $4,000
600 Additional demands We're also
made upon the militia. The guards
men We're required to serve for the
| fun term of their enlistment in the
militia. instead of only nine months
The president was authorized to or
der them to serve "either within o.
without the territory of the United
! States. instead of only in this coun-
|
The new law stipulated that in
calling out the militia the president
should issue orders for that pur-
pose, through the governors of the
states or territories from which
such troops should be called, to such
officers of the militia as he may
think proper"
The burning question is whether
submission of orders through the
governors is only matter of routine
or one in which they can exercise
discretion.
When the bill was up in the low
er house of. congress Steenerson, re-
publican of Minnesota chairman OF
the committee that considered it
said the president was authorized tc
enforce the laws of the union. A dec
laration of war is law In order t.
enforce such a law it might be nee
essary to send the militia out of thu
country.
If this bill passes" said Repre-
: sentative Williams, democrat of Mis-
sissippi the president will have
| right to wage war without a declar
alton by congress and send the Ell
tire militia into foreign ports to cal
j nv il on. Congress never intended t
: place the organized militia at tn
service of the president to be ordel
( ed about at his will
5 Under this law observed She
= ley. democratic member of Kentuck
: "the president could send tn
militia to the Philippines tomo
row.
J Despite objections the bill Wa
= rushed through and the presiden
= on the capitol hill basis, seems
C have full authority to create a mil
$ tia division on the Rio Grande.