Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-07-17
@0rtester @a1lp Spp.
THE DAILY SPY.
For the Worcester Daily Spy.


Mn. EDITOR AS you are probably aware,
much talk has been caused in this city within
a few days en- account of the conscrption
law and its various interpretations. Let US
look for moment at some of its features.
First, Has drafted man a chance to pay the
$500 or procure his substitute after he has
been examined by the board of enrolment?
Section 10 of the law provides "That any
person drafted and notified to appear" 'at a
designated rendezvous, to report for duty
may on OF before the day fixed for his appear
ance, furnish an accepted substitute" or pay
$500, "for the procuration of such substi-
tute" The law thus allows the drafted man
the whole time up to, and including the day
fixed for him to report for examination and
duty-and there is nothing in the law to de-
prive him of this absolute right l under
stand from the provost marshal for this dis
trict, that the drafted men here are to have ten
days notice, and if so, as none yet have been
notified, no power can deprive them of this
right to pay $500 or procure a substitute, for
at least ten days to come. decision from
the provost marshal general, dated July 18th,
says: GA drafted man cannot pay commute
ton money nor present Il substitute after he
has reported himself to the board of enroll
ment for examination"
Section II of the law provides ''That all
drafted persons shall on arriving at the rem
devious be carefully inspected by the surgeon
of the board" and all claiming exemption
"shall present their claims to be exempted to
the board" The decision as above evidently
has reference merely TO the drafted man re-
porting himself, agreeably to the law, at the
rendezvous, and after having received the le-
gal notice, and not to any appearance before
the board not provided for in the law If the
drafted man fails to inform himself as to
whether he is liable to serve until the last day
OF grace, of course he can have no further
time; but for the benefit of those who are I'M
certain whether or not they would be exempt
ed by the board, a wise provision seems to be
made, entirely independent of the law, by
notice from our provost marshal that the
board will be in session from time to time to
examine applicants for exemption, thus Civ
ing all an opportunity to satisfy themselves on
the point in question, and time to make ar
engagements accordingly. This cannot be con-
sidered final examination, for the law ex-
pressly provides that all shall be carefully
inspected by the surgeon on arriving at the
rendezvous, after due service of notice, and it
would be folly to suppose that the decision
from the provost marshal general was intend
ed TO apply to person who appeared before
the board informally for the purpose of infor-
nation, for no such appearance is anticipated
in the law, and of course was not taken into.
consideration in the marshal's decision 1t
seeu clear, therefore, that one who chooses to
appear before the bnsrd for personal informa-
ton does not thereby debar himself from any
provision of the law, but it would still be OPP
tional with him, until the day fixed for his APP
pearauce at rendezvous, whether he would
himself serve, furnish Il substitute, or pay the
$500.
1t is said also that some few have left the city,
thinking thereby that the notice cannot reach
them and that they consequently cannot be
treated as deserters. But all such should bear
in mind that a notice left at their last place of
residence is just the same legally as though
delivered to them in person. The idea that
the $500 is not to be counted as a man, and
that an additional draft must be made to cover
such deficiencies troubled the minds of some
at one time, but that has now apparently died
out. And SO it will be found, | think, of all
the provisions of this law, if people will only
be patient and wait for the proper construc-
ton from headquarters of doubtful clauses.
A careful perusal of the law will probably con-
vince all that it not intended as an odous
law, but on the contrary renders justice, SO
far as can be, to all. Yours for the
DRAFT.