Mr Elseworth doubted the propriety of striking out the sentence. The reason assigned applies as well to the other reservation of the appointment to offices. He remarked at the same time that the term discipline was of vast extent and might be so expounded as to include all power on the subject.
Mr King, by way of explanation, said that by organizing, the Committee meant, proportioning the officers & men–by arming, specifying the kind size & caliber of arms–& by disciplining, prescribing the manual exercise evolutions &c.
Mr Sherman withdrew his motion.
Mr Gerry. This power in the U. S. as explained is making the States drill-sergeants. He had as lief let the Citizens of Massachusetts be disarmed, as to take the command from the States, and subject them to the Genl Legislature. It would be regarded as a system of Despotism.
Mr Madison observed that "arming" as explained did not extend to furnishing arms; nor the term "disciplining" to penalties & Courts Martial for enforcing them.
Mr King added to his former explanation that arming meant not only to provide for uniformity of arms, but included the authority to regulate the modes of furnishing, either by the militia themselves, the State Governments, or the National Treasury; that laws for disciplining, must involve penalties and every thing necessary for enforcing penalties.
Mr Dayton moved to postpone the paragraph, in order to take up the following proposition.
"To establish an uniform & general system of discipline for the Militia of these States, and to make laws for organizing, arming, disciplining & governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the U. S., reserving to the States respectively the appointment of the officers, and all authority over the militia not herein given to the General Government."
On the question to postpone in favor of this proposition: it passed in the Negative.
N. H. no. Mas. no. Ct no. N. J. ay. P. no. Del. no. Maryd ay. Va no. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. ay.