Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-03-17
THE CONSUMPTION ACT.
A Bill for EnrOIIlng and Calling
Out the National Forces,
and for Other PurpSeeB.

Whereas, There now exists in the United
States an !nsurreetion and rebellion against
the authority thereof, and it is, under the
constitution Of she United States, kbe duty
OF the government to suppress instruction
and rebellion, to guarantee to each State
republicaniform Of government, al 20 pre-
serve the public tranquility ; and whereas,
for these high purposes a military force is
indispensable, 10 raise and support which
all persons ought willingly to contribute
and whereas, no service can be more praise
worthy and honorable that that which is
rendered for the maintenance of the con-
stTtutiO6 and Union, aud consequent
preservation Of free government; therefore,
Be 1t enacted by the Senate AID House
OF Representatives Of the United States of
America IN Congress assembled, That all
able-bodied male citizens Of the United
States, and persons Of foreign birth who
shall have declared on oath their intention
to become citizens under and 10 pursuance
to the laws thereof, between the ages of
twenty and forty years, except as here.
matter excepted, are hereby declared to
Constitute the national forces, and shall be
liable to perform military duty in the SER
vice oil the United States when called ont
By the President for that purpose.
SEC. z. And be it further enacted. That
the following persons be, and thew are
hereby, excepted and exempt from the bro.
visions OF this act, and shall not be liable
to military duty under the same, 20 witt
Such as are rejected as physically or men,
tally unit for the service; also, first, the
Vice President of the United States, the
Judges OF the various courts of the United
States, the heads of the various executive
departments Of the government. and the
Governors OF the several States; and, sec-
oId, the only son liable to military duty of
widow dependent upon his labor for sup
pert; third, the only son of an aged or in
hrm parent or parents, dependent upon bis
labor for support; forth where there are
two or more sons Of aged or infirm parents
subject to draft. the father, or, if be be
dead, the mother, may elect which shall
be exempt; fifth, the only brother Of chill
dren not twelve years old, having neither
father nor mother, dependent upon his
labor for support; sixth. the father of
motherless children under twelve years of
age, dependent upon his labor for support;
seventh, where there are father and sons
in the same family and household, and two
OF them are in the military service of the
United States as non Commissioned oficers.
musicians, or privates, the residue of such
family, not exceeding two, shall be exempt;
and no persons but such as are herein ex-
empt shall be exempt: Provided, hoareper,
That no person who has been convicted of
any felony shall be enrolled or permitted to
serve in said forces.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted. That
the national forces of the United States. not
now 10 the military service, enrolled under
the act, shall be divided into two classes.
the first of which shall COMPRISE all Der.
sous subject to do military duty between
the ages OF twenty and thirty-6ve years,
aud all unmarried persons subject to do
duty above the ago of thirty FIVE and under
the age OF !Orty-fge; the second class shall
COMPRISE all other persons subject to do
military duty, and that they shall not in
any district, be called into the service of the
United States until those of the frsI class
shall have been called.
SEC 4. And be it further enacted, That
for greater convenience 10 enrolling, call
ing out and organizing the national forces,
AID Tor the arrest of deserters and spies OF
the enemy. the United States shall be divi-
ded into districts, of which the District of
Columbia shall constitute one, each Terri
tory OF the United States shall constitute
one or more, as the President shall direct,
and each Congressional district of the re-
specsive States, as fixed ~ law of the
States next preceding the enrolment, shall
constitute one; POpided, That in the Stats
which have lot by their laws been divided
into two Or more Congressional districts,
the President Of the United States shall
divide the came into sc many snroll>
meDt districts as be may deem fit and con-
VeLient.
SEC. 5 AID be il further enacted, That
for each of said districts there shall be 40
pointed by the President a Provost Mar
shal, with the rank, pay, and emoluments
ofa Captain of Cavalry, Or en- officer of
said rank shall be detailed by the Presi-
dent. who shall be under the direction and
subject to the orders of q Provost Marshal
General. appointed or detailed by the Pres.
dent OF the United States, whose ofic shall
be at the seat Of government, forming n
separate bureau of the War Department,
and whose rank, Gay land emolumeots shall
be those of Colonel of Cavalry.
SEC. b. Ard be it further enacted, That
it shall be the duty of the Provost Marshal
General, with the approval Of the Secreta.
~ OF War, to make rules and regulations
tor the government of his subordinate; to
furnish them the names and residences of
all deserters from the army. or any of the
land forces 10 the service of the United
States, including the militia, when rspor.
ted to bin by the commanding officers 20
communicate to them all orders of the
President in reference to calling out the
national forces; TO furnish proper blanks
and instructions for enrolling aud drafting;
to hle and preserves copies Of ell enrolment
lists; to require stated reports Of proceed.
iOgs on the part of his suboFdiuates to
audit all accounts connected with the SER
| vice under his direction, and to perform
such other duties as the President may pre-.
scribe in carrying out the provisions Of this
act.
SEC. Z. And be it further enacted, Tha.
| it shall be the duty of the Provost Marsh
ais to arrest all deserters, whether reep-
lars, volunteers, militiamen, or persons
called into the service under this or Suy
other acs Of Congress, wherever they may
be found, and to send them 70 the dearest
military commander or military post; TO
detect, seize, and eOnflae spies Of the enc
my; to obey ell lawful orders and regula.
tions Of the Provost Marshal General, and
such as may be prescribed by law, concer-
ming the enrolment and calling into service
Of the national forces.
Sec. 8. And be it further esacted, That
in each Of said districts there shall be q
Board of Enrolment. to becom2Osed of the
Provost Marshal as President, and two
other persons. to be appointed by the Pres
ident Of the United States. ono of whom
shall be licensed and prscticing ph ysic-
ian and surgeon.
SEC 9. And be it further enacted, that
| Il ahall be the dntz of tha aid Rna.a 20