Year: 1866

A considefable interest is manifested by the
llmembers of the State Militia to know theproviss
ions. of the New Militia Law passed at the lste'
session of the Legislature, we transfer. to ouf'
columns the following summary thereof as fur


nished by the San Francisco Horning Call, which


is sufficient to afford knowledge of its general
character. The organized uniform troops of the


State are to be known as the National Guard of


California; and shall comprise not more than
eighty mpanies-sixty-four of which are to be


infantry, twelve cavalry, and four artillery. The


Governor, Adjutant- General, Major General, aud
Brgadiet-Generals, constitute Board for the


location and organization Of the National Guard,


new companies shall be organized under the


provisions of this Act. This Board must meet


by the first of June, to perform its duties The
organized force is to be located throughout the
State with reference to the military wants of the
State, means of concentration, and other militia
ry requirements. Cavalry companies cannothave
less than thirty more than eighty prvates


other companies not less than fifty or more than
one hundred. The number of officers is the
same as now provided. ANY person joining
company shall join for not less than one year,
unless sooner discharged by competent author
ity. The State is divided into six brigndes, the
Fifth Brigade being composed of the counties of
Butte, Plumas, Tehama, Shasta. Siskiyou and
Trinity. There shall be company drill at least
once in each month, except in San Francisco and
Sacramento where there must be weekly compa-
ny drills. There shall be battalion regiment


I-5l cyftu of flal
legal parades The National Guard must parade
twice in each year, viz July 4th, by regiment
or battalion, and September 9th by company,
for target practice. The Commander of Bri-
gade has power TO order out any portion of the
force under his command to parade on other oc-
casions Punisbments are provided for insulting
language to superiors, and civilians may be ar
rested and put under guard for insulting or mo-
testing an officer private while on military
duty. Fines levied by Courts Martial made
colectable in the same manner that other fines
are The system of instruction, rules of govern
ment. and uniforms, are TO be the same us those
prevailing in the United States service. While
going to or from parade, members of military
companies are exempt form arrest on civil pro-
cess All members of the National Guard are
exempt from payment of any poll tax, road tax,
or head tax of any description they are exempt
from serving on any posse comitatus, and their





execution. In addition to the allowance for
armorcs, which is about the same as at present,
each uniformed company is to receive at the


rate of three hundred dollars year for each


member, as n q Company Fund" 1t is now


misdemeanor for any person or persons, not
member of the National Guard, to have in his or


their possession any arms, equipments military
stores clothing belonging TO the State or
Company of the National Guard. To pay the
expenses of the National Guard, tax of five
cents on each one hundred dollars is levied on all
the property in the State. The bill contains
scventy-four sections which relate minutely to
the duties of the various officers. The forego-
ing, however, will give one tolerably good idea
of the ruling principles of the bill. The law
went into effect April @ but the organization off
the Guard will not be perfected until the Militia
ry Board meets, which must be within sixty days
from the approval OF the law by the Governor.
Doubtless, copies of the law will soon be distrib-
uted among the military companies, when they
can learn all other particulars they desire.