Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-07-22

Ruyfug the GOmEcriptb Ohs
The New York City Council, on Wednes-
day last, met in extra session and passed
an ordinance apprOpriating two million
five hundred thousand dollars for the pay
ment of the three hundred dollar e1emP-
ton. By the ordinance each man who is
unable to pay the three hundred dollars is
TO receive it from this fund, so far as 1t
goes. If the person drafted afterwards
volunteers to serve three years, the $500 is
to 20 to his family, and not to the govern
ment. The act passed unanimously.
This action seems at first glance to have
been very generous, loyal and praise
worthy; but, it will be found that it WAS
by no means done in the interest of the
Government. The Government wants men,
not money. When it consents to take
$500 for q conscript it is only that sub
Btitute may be hired with it. To pay the
exemption fee Of all drafted persons is to
defeat the object Of the Government by re-
fusing to it the men it needs
Again, the amount appropriated is not
enough to exempt all, the quota of New
York being about Il, 900, and this amount
being suffcient for only about 5000
Where is the line Of demarkation to be
drawn2 In view Of the character Of the
material Of which the Council is composed
1t is hardly doing thou aHy injustice to
say that they would use the money, where it
would be most available to them in the shape
of future votes. Other things being equal,
who doubts that the peace Democrats will
be favored while the loyal Union men are
left out in the cold To show that this is
not an idle charge, born of suspicion only,
we quote the following as specimen Of
the debate which was had upon the PROPOSE
ton, as reported in their organ, the World.
The italics are our own:
The Board of Councilmen met at II
o'clock. President Jones in the chair. The
ordinance from the Board Of Aldermen was
received relating to the draft.
Mr.. Russell said that the opposition l0ds to
any drof.
Mr.. Gross said, I agree with the gentle
saws the opposition is to any draft what
ever. TuE OPPOSITION IS TO THE DRAFT,
AND THE DRAFT ONLY. The people reason
that even if they pay three hundred dol
lars now. what guarantee is there that they
will not again be called next week or week
after next? The act under which the draft
takes place only exempts such parties from
this draft on pay Of $500. am in favor
Of relieving al from the draft. 1 am op-
posed to any unreasonable, unjust draft
like the one now being enforced, which
falls so heavily upon the poorer classes.
trust that some amendment may be made
whereby the $500 will only be paid to suot
as are unable to pay it. There are many
who can we'll afford to pay that sum ever
out Of moneys made out of this war.
CounciIman Sandford said the only SDdy
IN t0hieh this rebellion could be put dOiDn agd
by withdrawing men and money from the I'D
sliuistratioa In the language of Riohar'
aO'Gorman, he said: ARM THE PEOPLE
OF NEW YORK AGAINST THE AG
GRESSIoNs OF A CORRUPT ADMINS
TRATI0N.n he 1Oas opposed TO giving siths
men OF money.
ss-' The animus of the Council is very clearl
set forth here as one Of resistance to III
Government, and that only. To be eonsii
tent, they will help their fellows Of lik
a iar more patriotic and generally efe'
tive plan would be to appropriate none
to assist the families of those men VII
we're drafted and could not pay the e7
empGon. The great hardship to many
poor man Of going into the army is not h
own personal danger, discomfort or los
but the uncertain subsistence to which b
must leave his wife and family. To al
prOpriate money for their support viii
he was absent wouli not only not defe'
the object Of the draft but would assisti
enforcement and increase its benefits.