New-York daily tribune., 1863-08-28
THE EXEMPTION ORDINANCE.

pledge. Whoever contributes money for such
q purpose does it in the face Of the Mayors
clear exposition that it will be used 20 defeat
the purpose OF the draft, and in plain v,w. also,
of the probability that the Council will find It,
self finally compelled to yield to the force OF
public opinion, and abandon its purpose OF over
riding the veto. For it is not to be denied or
concealed that as the controversy now stands
between the Mayor and the Common Council,
the Mayor represents and upholds both the
cause of the Government and the true interests
of the People, while the Common Council is the
opponent of both.
The points of difference between. them are
briefly thcse
The Common Council proposes in substance
10 pay three hundred dollars upon the order of
"A Committee, To every drafted man not ex-
empted by the Board Of Enrolment; and in ad-
dition specially cxempts the frcmen.
The MAYOR proposes. in the frst place that
the city shall pay the exemption money for
The Fircmen,
The Police.
The organized Militia;
three classes of citizens essential 10 The
safety the order. aud the protection ol the city.
For the Police and Militia the ordinance OF the
Common Council makes no provision. And It
is 20 be especially noted TIA, the Mayor IN terms
propose. III his message, as he had previously
urged IN consultations with members OF The
Council. that without reference to differences on
other points they should concur With him IN the
pa. age Of au ordinance providing Tor The ia,-
incnt for these three claees; bat the Common
Council refused to acccde 10 that prupo.nl II
iands. therefore, beyond dispute that the
Mayor ha. done his best to secure The cHcmp'
ton OF the Fiscmen. Police. aud Militia. and
that the Common Council ha- opposed aud do
lcaied their exemption.
OF the Justice aud ctpcdiency Of appropu'
aiing money 10 retain for the city the scfyiocs
Of these three olas.cs We need say nothing more
than the Mayor has sad in bis Message. No
one outside of the Common Council rc,isis II,
nor il il q matter ior serious argument. Where
would this city have been to-day but for the gall
lnntry and devotion of the Police How could
il spare the services Of loyal militia II an in
surreciion should again break out, after the
national forces have been withdrawn More.
over, the services which the militia have already
rendered at the call Of the Government, for the
defense Of the country. for the relief OF Washing
ton and Of Pennsylvania, cntiue them TO a
special consideration. In gratitude for what
they have done in the past, as well as in cIpcc-
tation of what they may be wanted 70 do hero
afler, tho whole city unites with the Mayor in
urging that their exemption be provided for
the whole city except the Common Council,
which lllcnly adheres 10 it refusal.
Not less clearly right Is the MAYOR on the
other point Of dispute. IIe objects 10 The pro-
posal Of the Council % pay three hundred dol
lars indiscriininately TO every drafted man.
First, that il is not legal. The city has no
right to spend the money Of taxpayers for such
a purpose. The Council derives o. authority
from an act Of the Legislature, empowering II
TO appropriate money for the relief Of the fam
lilies Of soldiers. Under color Of that authority
II passes an ordinance o,,ensihy for the relief
of families, but really for the exemption Of the
soldier. 1t il dishonest on the Iacc oft
Secondly, the ordinance j. drawn as io
deny men entirely Ia the Government under the
draft. and here IL the secret of the pcrtinaciiy
with which the form Of it is adhered to. Mayor
Opdykc suggests an amendment, by which IL
operation may be restricted to the payment Of
money 10 such as personally 90 or supply
substitute. But the Council refuses 10 listen 10
that suggestion. Alderman Jeremiah expressly
declares that the only difference is on this ques-
ton His language is remarkable.
yYow Mr. President, Iwould call to mind asain ie i.r,
that this only difference between tie Mayor snd e
Common Council. liz rants erc,y myes hundred dllau 10
p,odvee We want the power to relieve any particular
case
1t is precisely because the Common Council
does not want every three hundred, or any three
hundred dollars to produce Vlan, that il clings
thus desperately to its version Of the ordinance.
The Mayors, it is admitted would ensure every
nominal and confessed object which the Council
proposes; it would ensure the relief of families;
ii would ensure the exemption of the soldier in
all proper cases; but it would not absolutely
nulily the draft, and hence il in opposed with
unrccnting obstinacy.
But why pursue the discussion II the Com.
mon Council finally passes this ordinance it
will pass it not because it, members believe the
Mayor is wrong, but because they know he il
right. II is because his argument il impregna-
bic, that il is 10 be Ovcrbornc By numbers; be-
cause the effect of the ordinance is what he allie.
ges it to be, that it is to be carried over his
,ntn. Lannnon ifa effect icM lie 10 delcAt The on.