[1] Thus only can the uniformity so essential to efficiency be secured.
[2] This is designed as a proper recognition of the right of each state to have militia companies and to control them, subject only to the necessary limitation mentioned.
The militia of a state consists of one or more regiments, with the proper regimental and company officers appointed by state authority. When these are mustered into the service of the United States and are formed into brigades and divisions, the appointment of the general officers is vested in the president.
Clause 17.—Exclusive Legislation.
To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by the cession of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of government of the United States,[1] and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, and other needful buildings.[2]
[1] This refers to the territory afterwards selected, and now known as the District of Columbia.
The purpose of this provision is to free the general government from having to depend upon the protection of any state, and to enable it to secure the public buildings and archives from injury and itself from insult. [Footnote: The Continental Congress, while the capital was at Philadelphia, had to adjourn to Princeton to escape the violence of some dissatisfied soldiers. See Fiske's Critical Period of American History, page 112.]
Congress governed the District of Columbia directly until 1871, when for three years the experiment was tried of governing it as a territory. The territorial government in that time ran in debt over $20,000,000 for "public improvements," and congress abolished it.
The supervision of the district is now in the hands of three commissioners, appointed by the president, but controlled by congressional legislation.
[2] The propriety of the general government having exclusive authority over such places is too obvious to need comment. Crimes committed there are tried in the United States District Courts, but according to the laws of the state or territory.