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14 State, will doubtless be cheerfully accorded, in whatever man- ner may best conduce to the carrying out of plans so intimately connected with our common prosperity. I would recommend, that steps be taken at once, to bring the attention of our representatives in Congress, during its present session,, to the advantage of the harbor of Baltimore, in connection with our naval marine, in an economical point of view, and the strong claims of our State, to aid from Congress, in recommencing the work upon our ship channel, with a view to a competent and unobstructed high- way to the ocean, at the earliest practicable day. The amount of appropriation needed will be nominal compared with its value and importance to the Government. REORGANIZATION OF THE MILITIA. At your last session a report was submitted, detailing a plan for the reorganization of the Militia of the State, comprising many practical and useful features, suggested by the unsettled condition in which the country was placed by the rebellion. The Legislature having failed to act upon the subject, owing to the multiplicity of important and urgent measures of do- mestic policy engaging the attention of your body at that time, and the limited period within which you were compelled to close your labors, I feel constrained to bring it again to your- attention. The triumphant close of the war, does not release us from the necessity of adopting some suitable plan for the protection of the State. While it is no part of my policy, to recommend in time of peace, any system which shall inter- fere with the industrial pursuits of our citizens, or the impo- sition of any unreasonable tax upon the services of those subject to militia duty, it must be admitted that a govern- ment constituted as we are, cannot he considered perfect, without the presence at all times of a living military organi- zation, subject to the call of the Executive and Legislature, in times of extraordinary emergency. Taking the report heretofore submitted as a basis, it has seemed to me, that a plan may be readily matured, avoiding every just ground of objection, and competent to ensure the public safety against ordinary disturbance. It cannot be denied, that (lie neglect of this duty in the past, has been attended with both loss and humiliation to our people. In times of profound peace, we should not forget the contingencies to which the State is al- ways exposed; and by making timely provision for probable or possible events, inspire confidence in the ability of the authorities, to afford assistance at all times, to those who have a right to look to them for protection. |
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Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1866
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