The New York herald., 1863-08-23
THE DRAFT IN NEW YORK.

- 80 ~~--~.~'~- - -
THE DRAFT IN NEW YORK.
~o~->~~~o~~~>~~~~~~~~~~ ..ff
The Firemen and tho Draft.
THE THREE MILLION DOLLAR 0RDfNANCE-THE PIRH-
MEN, THE GOVERNOR, MAYOR, COMMON COUNCIL
AND INSURANCE. CoMPANTEs-REMARKs OF JUDGE
ADVOCATE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or C0NFxR-
ENCE APPOINTED, ETC., ETC.
In obedience to special CALL the nremen Of the Fire
Department Of this city held meeting last night at
Fremens Hall Mercer street the purpose Of consider
ing the draft question: and adopting such arc
deemed necessary TO the remcn both active and
exempt the privilege, claimed BY them Of exemption
from Involuntary enlistment. There very large at
tendance Of those interested and the proceedings
most harmonousy conducted.
Chief Engineer DECKER occupied the chair and called
the meeting TO order.
The roll having called and the minutes Of the Lass
meeting having been read and approved,
FRHAN said he would like TO know the object Or tho
meeting He something that interested
the department generally y-something which had more
than pecuniary interest at stake. r1
After few dcsultory remarks from several members,
The CHARxAN said that the Governor had been waited
several mes and had stated that he would do I'll In
his power protect the interests and rights Of evoy
citizen Of this State It impossible for the Governor
to promise anything further that time He had seut
the Adjuant General TO Warrington TO confer with the
Presidsnt and Cabinet. and he had not returned q
the time on which the Governor had been waited
upon However, the Governor had intimated that
t would be impossible for him make any distinction
with reference the rcmen but that ha thought The
constitutionaity Of the question would be tested o
Mr. SKEIIMG, foreman Of 46 engine, said be thought
the call for the meeting had been issued for tho purpose
Of asking the Mayor sign tho g 900 900 ordnance
urTxz FROM THE MAJOR.
The Secretary then read the following communication
from the Mayor
MAYORS OFFICE. NEW Yo.r Angus. n 1858.
JOIN Dxcxn, ESQ.,, Chief Engineer New York Fire Do
DEAN saR-In response 70 your note q inquiry rss
the ordinance providing for relief from the draft
would say the ordinance remains in my hands
signed. Since passage consultations have
been held between members Of the Common Council and
tain points on which wo differed. regret 70 say that
| these efforts have not n yet been successful.
relation third section which provides tor the re-
lief Of nremen who may be drafed and which wrs sus.
felt that the srduous duties hazardous to life and e
injurious to health, performed By hremen. entitled
e q. sss q
the city hold 70 be the duty Of the municipal govern
in favor Of providing for their relief from the
draft and far know every member Of the Common
days ago suRvesed TO the MEMBERS with whom tho
sutaton took place. the propriey OF passing distinct
hope that the although at rst declined By the
% e. 1'
lily will be afforded by me for promptly and efficiently
carrying out Respectfully ySSr oSsSS9s pp%xE
The CnARxAs said he had called upon the Mayor
times understanding the difference between him and
tho members Of the Common Council and he he Mayor)
had generally given him the and substance contained
the letter just read He (Mr Decker) thought that
the matter at issue delicate one, and he did not
think right for them become too prominent 10 Il.
The nremen bad had duty perform, and they per-
formed u faithfully; but he would not like to have tho
public think that they wanted 10 demand anything 10
sidcraticn for the scrvices they had performed He
hoped The gentlemen present would little udcious
and act in the matter calmly and deliberately, and
| might have better effect.
Councilman HAYEs foreman Of Engine Company No o.
said there were only few technical differences between
Mayor stl persisted in refusing to sigu the ordinance,
the Common Council would make II law n sphe OF him.
Mr. r " EVERETT, foreman Of Hook and Ladder Com
pany No. 9, asked the ordinance included exempt nrc
Mr.. HAYES understood not It simply stated the word
"nremen"
| RrnARKs oy JUDGE ADVOCATE WATERFRONT
Judge Advocate Nelson J. WATERBURY,, who had eu-
tered the room during the discussion, hcre intro.
duced to the meeting and made some remarks In rcia
he took much Interest 10 The OF the draft
| in the State OF New York that he come there
that night, although for several days ndspossd Cow
Seymour had done all be possbly could avoid
this draft in New York he bad assured ths general
he would Se% % % Any .
reasonably required Of this state; But the draft
nsy Admitted fa ana showed ' sn a.
This state at all previous calls had furnished more than
is quota Of men and that although the State Of Massa
chusetts behind in her former quotas the extent
OF sixteen thousand men, yet no time would be allowed
TO this State, notw outstanding all that had been done
supply It's men by volunteering. fApplause.) The Co
requested that volunteers nigh, recruited
and accepted as substitutes, man for man. That not
stx0
overwhelming military display such - they all about
the city for the last few days. Now he believed that tho
ought to be supported with men for the pur
pose OF maintaining tho national authority when !, was
requisite but he did think where volunteers could bo
force from their homes Now. they could take up tho
HERALD every day and see column d advertisements
YsK a. %'s soSs",es. o knew q bs own knowdac
where they had made contracts 70 supply men 10 whole
Aldermen and councilmon with the Mayor in rcfe-
TO the ordinance. Hc read the ordnance
ovrr himself N anv way with respect 70 the matter
lie had explained The whole thing 10 the Mayor but not
wthsandng all that he had refused % sgn the ordinance
up 10 that time lie would venture TO say Mayor o.
dykes was drafted he would rot go. lAppaussl
The Mayor insisted thai the ihres ynasd aoas snoaa
United States service, end there was no escape for
him. The Common couneh Insisted nat IL. y
receive three hundred dollars for the relief % BIS
family or he thought he could serve his family be.
Ter by giving II 10 the government Mr. Lincoln had oid
him himself in the White House that that all the
law he required. AMER indulging in some iur.nex
remarks. Mr. Waterbury went to say that mere was
a feeling amongst great many people that 70 NM, m,n
should be- compelled leave the city unless ne wa VII
ing 10 90. II men were willing TO 80 hs wouu % ~
sav one single word against II. We hnh soe hons
yery well by tho volunteer system sno Us
thought we could do no stll. tAppaasJ n. ne nAs
,.hor,no ss a public ofncer 70 Rlve oMoiency
70 that sentiment Now. the Mayer o'a Nun that ,pey
could not get the moncy y the oa1nanSs nsvens snv
ne ISeps wss no body this city , could
gfsarr nsn,sncc companies o. the city were always want
ns inc % money and there were 90 bond,
80 gcoo companies under deep obligation To
% INC snd be suggested that they appoint committee 70
wait oss anr sss ~ 1sm 70 axe 200 one s
80 sbs, could DO great deal In carrying out the sys
49, ~ volunteering instead of forcing (AppIausc,