LAWS OF MARYLAND-1838.

1301

CHAPTER 393.

AN ACT to encourage the formation of Volunteer Companies.

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this state to encourage the for-

• Preamble.

mation of uniform volunteer companies, as affording the most

prompt and efficient means to suppress insurrection and pre-

serve order and tranquility within our borders; therefore,

SEC. 1. Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Maryland,

Serving 7

That every citizen of the state, above the age of eighteen years,
who shall, after the passage of this law, serve seven years suc-

years as a
V. exempt
from further

cessively, in a uniform volunteer company, shall after that time,

M. duty.

be exempted from rnilitia duty, except during war or insur-

rection.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted. That the governor, by and with

3d lieute

the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint and commis-

, nant and
ensign ad-

sion one third lieutenant, and one ensign, in addition to the

! ditional.

officers already provided for by law, in every company of uni-

form volunteers that may be formed in this state.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That any uniform volunteer com-

May attach

pany now formed, or that may hereafter be formed in this state,

to any regi-
ment in

shall have the right and privilege to attach itself to any regiment

the county.

it may desire, whose regimental district is in whole or in part

within the county in which such company may be formed, pro-

Proviso.

vided application to that effect be made in writing to the

adjutant-general of the state, and signed by not less than

a majority of the members of such company.

SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That the adjutant-general, upon

Proceedings

receiving an application, such as is prescribed by the third

directed.

section of this act, shall immediately communicate the fact to

the commanding officer of the regiment to which the company

applying shall ask to be attached, who shall thereupon enrol said

company in his regiment and give notice thereof to the captain

of the company.

SEC. 5. And be it enacted, That every uniform volunteer com-

Subject to

pany, after it shall have been enrolled in a regiment other than

the order of
commander

that in whose regimental district it may be formed, and notice

of regiment.

thereof shall have been given to the captain thereof, shall be

subject in all respects to the exclusive orders of the command-

ing officer of the regiment in which it shall have been so

enrolled, in the same manner as if formed within his regimental

district.

SEC. 6. And be it enacted, That a majority of the members

May make

of every uniform volunteer company now formed, or that may
hereafter be formed in this state, shall have full power and

rules and
by-laws.

authority to make all regulations and by-laws for their rule and

government, and shall have power to alter and change the same

at pleasure, and may impose fines and prescribe the mode of