AFTERNOON SESSION.
On motion by Mr. FERGUSON, a resolution was adopted, inviting Lieutenant Jefferson C. Davis, one of the gallant defenders of Fort Sumter, now in this city, to a seat within the bar whenever he desired to visit this chamber during his continuation in the city.
RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE MILITIA.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the militia bill, [H. R. 21.]
Mr. WOLFE. A system of this kind should be a permanent one, and conducted upon as nearly a correct basis as we can get. If this bill should pass in any particular shape that should cause it to be repealed, it would accomplish no good to the people, and be an absolute disadvantage. We must look at the objects and see that the bill will accomplish the object's we have in view. There is fear that the people will be oppressed and overburdened whether they be patriotic or not; and the time must come necessarily when there will be an examination into the acts of this Legislature. Let us appropriate all the money that is necessary, but let us not appropriate one dollar that is not necessary. The great lack in this contest will not be the lack of men but the lack of money.
[A message from the Governor announced that he had approved and signed Senator Wagner's six regiment bill, No. I.]
Mr. CLAYPOOL demanded the previous question, and there being a second, (26 Senators,) the amendment of Mr. Dickinson, striking out "$70,000" and inserting "$40,000," was rejected by yeas 17, nays 22, as follows:
YEAS - Messrs. Bearss, Carnahan, Cobb, Conley, Johnston, Jones, Line, O'Brien, Odell, Ray, Robinson, Shields, Shoulders, White, Williams, Wilson, and Wolfe - 17.
NAYS - Messrs. Anthony, Beeson, Blair, Claypool, Conner, Craven of Madison, Cravens of Jefferson, Culver, Ferguson, Grubb, Hamilton, Hull, March, Mellett, Miller, Murray, Newcomb, Steele, Stone, Tarkington, Teegarden, and Turner - 22.
Pending the call, Mr. DICKINSON stated page: 93[View Page 93] that he had paired off with Mr. Wagn necessarily detained from the Senate chamber.
The question recurring upon Mr. Ray's proposition to amend (submitted yesterday) so as to make the Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel elected by the regiment-
On motion by Mr. MELLETT, this motion to amend was laid on the table - yeas 25, nays 16, as follows:
YEAS - Messrs. Anthony, Bearss, Beeson, Blair, Campbell, Claypool, Conner, Craven of Madison, Cravens of Jefferson, Culver, Dickinson, Grubb, Hamilton, Hull, March, Mellett, Miller, Murray, Newcomb, Robinson, Steele, Stone, Tarkington, Teegarden, and Turner - 25.
NAYS - Messrs. Carnahan, Cobb, Conley, Ferguson, Johnstou, Jones, Line, O'Brien, Odell, Bay, Shields, Shoulders, White, Williams, Wilson, and Wolfe - 16.
Pending the vote -
Mr. MARCH said: Under ordinary circumstances I should vote to allow every officer to be elected by the men, believing in the principle of popular sovereignty - I mean genuine popular sovereignty, not the bogus article. But we have been called upon suddenly to employ an extensive military power, while there is great lack of competent persons in some localities to fill the important positions required to be filled in this bill. It is important, and of the highest importance. The efficiency of the troops depend upon the commanders. It has been said we were disgraced in Mexico, not for want of men, but for want of properly qualified officers. I think by giving'the appointment to the Governor, he will select competent men
The vote was then announced as above.
Mr. CONLEY moved to recommit with instructions to so amend the bill as to provide that if encampments are ordered, it shall be at the expense of the brigade or division so encamping.
On motion of Mr. MURRAY, the motion to recommit was laid on the table.
Mr. RAY proposed to amend by inserting after the word "be," in section 11, line 1, these words: "elected by the commissioned officers of the companies comprising each regiment," and striking out the words, "appointed by the Governor for each regiment."
Mr. MELLETT moved to lay this amendment on the table.
Mr. WOLFE. It is due to Senators upon this floor to know the fact that the Military Committee was not full when the examination of this bill was made; and that it was not carefully criticised by the committee. We examined the amendments made by the House, and acted more upon them than on the bill itself.
Mr. RAY. It is proper for me to say that, al though a member of the committee, I did not pass upon the bill, and was not on the committee when it was acted upon.
The amendment was then laid upon the table by yeas 24, nays 18 - as follows:
YEAS - Messrs. Anthony, Bearss, Beeson, Blair, Cambell, Claypool, Conner, Craven of Madison, Cravens of Jefferson, Culver, Dickinson, Grubb, Hamilton, Hull, March, Mellett, Miller, Murray, Newcomb, Robinson, Steele, Stone, Teegarden and Turner - 24.
NAYS- Messrs. Carnahan, Cobb, Conley, Ferguson, Johnston, Jones, Line, O'Brien, odell, Ray, Shields, Shoulders, Slack, Tarkington, White, Williams, Wilson and Wolfe - 18.
Mr. WOLFE proposed to amend by adding the following sections:
SECTION 102. On application of the County Commissioners of any county, on a certified copy of their order, made in term or vacation certified by the Auditor, the Governor shall cause to be sent to such county at its expense, its quota of the public arms.
SEC. 103. Such Board of Commissioners shall have the care of all public arms within their respective counties, and may transfer them under such regulations as they may prescribe to such companies, battalions or regiments as maybe organized under this act, on having the safe-keeping and return thereof, when demanded by the authorized agent of the Board secured by bond and approved security.
On motion by Mr. MELLETT, this amendment was laid on the table.
Mr. MARCH proposed the following additional section, which was adopted:
SEC. 102. The commander-in-chief shall annually, on the first day of January, report to the Treasurer of State the amount of the military fund drawn on his warrant, the amount expended, and the items of expenditure. The Colonel of each regiment shall make a like report to the county treasurer of the amount drawn on his warrant, and the captain of each company shall make a like report of the amount of the fund distributed to his company, to the county treasurer, who shall immediately make a full report thereof to the treasurer of State.
Mr. RAY offered the following additional section:
SEC. 103. Companies of Home Guards for the local protection of towns and cities in this State, may be organized under the provisions of this act, and when organized, in conformity therewith, shall be entitled to all its benefits, and subject to all the duties and liabilities of the active militia, except that members who are exempt by law from militia service, shall not be liable to be called by the Governor into active service, out of the counties in which they may reside.
Pending which - On motion, the Senate took a recess for an hour to witness the presentation of two stands of colors to the llth regiment, [Col. LEW. WALLACE'S Zouaves] which ceremony was to take place at the south front of the State House.
Long after the time was up, the PRESIDENT called the Senators present to order.
And then the Senate adjourned for want of a quorum to do business.
