CAVALRY ARMS.
Mr. PACKARD submitted the following:
WHEREAS, It is understood that the General Government is now in possession of a large amount of arms and accoutrements necessary for the equipment of cavalry regiments, therefore,
Be it resolved, (the Senate concurring,) That the Governor be instructed to make a requisition on the General Government for 800 breech-loading carbines, cartridges, pistols, sabres, saddles, bridles, tents and all other accoutrements necessary to equip 800 cavalry.
He said it was known to gentlemen that there was now in progress, and perhaps perfected, (should the Legislature provide for its equipment,) an organization for raising a regiment of Indiana cavalry. It was also known that there is now in the possession of the United States a large amount of cavalry equipments. It was also known that of the 75,000 troops called out by the President, there has been no cavalry regiment named, and these cavalry arms and equipments, it seemed, were to lie useless in the arsenals of the Government. Now, if this regiment of cavalry organize, (and if it does not the resolution can have no effect) the resolution instructs the Governor to apply to the General Government to furnish sufficient amount of accoutrements to arm them, without any cost to the State, except the transportation. The resolution looks only to that.
Mr. WOODHULL was not acquainted with any law authorizing this call on the General Government; but he was well satisfied that the General Government would not furnish arms beyond what might be necessary to arm and equip such troops as the President has required, or may hereafter require of us. He saw from the papers this morning, that there would be a call for a hundred thousand more troops, and that would give opportunity for all our patriotic citizens to act without this resolution.
Mr. FRASIER suggested the propriety of making the requisition a request of the General Government.
Mr. PACKARD accepted the modification.
The SPEAKER said: There is a law of Congress for the distribution of the public arms, according to the ratio of congressional representation. That distribution has been made. And whilst it might be the wish of the General Government, to make the distribution proposed in the resolution, there is no law authorizing it. The resolution is, that the Governor make a request for cavalry arms. The chair would say that that request has been already made and urged by the Governor upon the General Government, for every description of arms. It was made in connection with the twelve regiment matter suggested by Gen. Wallace, and the application was made to embrace every description of arms. The regiment of cavalry was particularly mentioned. There can be no harm, certainly, in the resolution. It may'be that the General Government would comply the more readily by the request being backed up by legislation.
Mr. FISHER. It could do no harm, unless it might lead us to rely upon that source, and be disappointed; and so fail of the needful provision of arms for ourselves. He objected decidedly to relying upon the General Government for these arms, in any way, so as to prevent action here.
The resolution was adopted.
