Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1863-07-25

M IhPVtShu 1osShso" AASe
with reference TO the three hundred dol,
lar Communication provision in the con-
s.ription law, which is likely to be aired
thoroughly throughout the country. In
connection Herewith We copy the fol-
lowing extract from the New York
Times ofTnesday last
We have been informed that the pay.
ment OF three hundred dollars eXempts
the person +. no pays it 'Jor Misardtt,' >
and vet We are told in the same breath
that The money thus received is to be
religiousy applied by the Government to
the purchase of substitutes to take the
pace of those who thus escape. But il
this is The case--if when A pays I cx-
emplion fee, the War Department nses
the money in getting b to volunteer 10
hl. stead, we should really Ike to know
upon what principle A is to be called
upon to pay another three hundred dol
lars in second draft, when Is may he
actually serving in the raDks, or may
have been killed or wounded on the
field II the money, in short. is spent
in procuring substitutes for those who
paw it. they are both, in justice and com
mon sense, exempt for The PERIOD Tor
not paid it, There is no other inter
pref Of The statute which is not the
sheefest absurdiiy.
We accord to the Times, a persistent
radical sheet though it is, great credit
for taking very sensible view OF this
matter. l, is evident to every man who
is possessed OF common sense and is
Y ing 10 exercise it, upon reading the
law itself that the above Interpretation
OF the clause in question is a truthful
one. We are no supporter Of the poll.
cy that Was exercised in Introducing
tina, clause. We believe it 10 be wrong
wrong IN principle and in practice
Wrong because il tayors the able TO the
disadvantage Of the unable. II prac,ic-
ally says to the poor man-"you are
wanted 10 spill your bleod to the rich
man, three hundred dollars OF your mon.
ey is of just as much Importance in orr
eyes as the hearts blood Of your poor
neighbor." Therefore We think IT abon.
Unable,
Bot as it is law Of the land We are
bound 10 abide by it, but not bound to
accept ii when Illegally construed. In
addition TO what is said by the Times,
which Is enough explanation TO condemn
il, let US elaborate our point still farther,
A. is permitted TO pay $500 and stay a,
home. Mar,hsl Fry says that he is ex-
emp. only tor the term Of that identical
draft. Al the expiration of year an
other draft is called; A. is drafted, and
again pays 5000 which is again used to
purchase a substitute. Now it is eyiden,
that a. has provided tTo men for the
war-or should there be = draft within
the time specified lie might very easily
have three men in the field. This is 8
perfectly ra:iona! conclusion, but i,
would be difficult to find q sane man who
would say that law susceptible of sucl
construction is anything but contempt.
iblc.
The man who is drafted and elects L
pay his money performs his duty, undo
the law as it Is, just rs much as the ma,
who s drafted and goes into The field /,
serve three years. We think that i
would be we'll for the Provost Marsha
to construe the laws little more liberal
ly. 1t would save a great deal Of ex
pense in litigation if no farther trouble