Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-03-04
THE CONSUMPTION BILL.

IdE CUNSChlPTlON BILL
We give below a condensed synopsis OF this
bill, by far, the most important measure which
has been be tore Congress-
The preamble of the bill declares that an in
surrection and rebellion exists in the United
States; that it is the duty of the Government
to suppress this rebellion, to guarantee to
each State Republican form of Government,
to preserve the public tranquility, and that to
this end a military force is Indispensable.
All able bodied male citizens of the United
States, between the ages of twenty aud forty
five, are enrolled, and constitute the national
forces. Persons of foreign birth who have de-
clared their intention to become citizens Of
United States are also included.
The persons exempted from this enrolment
are as follows: Those who are physically and
mentally unfit for service the Vice President
of the United States and the Judges of the
Courts of the United States; the heads OF the
various Departments of the Government, and
the Governors OF the several States the only
son of aged and infrm parents, dependent up
on'his labor for their support; if there be two
or more sons the father, or in the event of his
exempt; the only brother Of children not over
twelve years old, whose parents are dead all
families having two members in the military
service of the United States as non commits.
stoned officers, musicians, or pIivates, the res
idue of such family, not exceeding two, shall
be exempt Persons convicted OF felony are
also exempted.
ha
classes. The first comprises all persons sub
ject to do military duty between the ages of
twenty and thirty five all unmarried persons
above the age of thirty five and under the age
of forty five.
The second class comprises all other per-
sons liable to do military duty, and it is pro-
vides that these shall not be called into the
service until the Grst class has been called
The bill divides the United States into dis
tricts, the District of Columbia constitutes
one; each Territory of the United States con-
stitutes one or more, the President shall
direct, and each congressional district con-
stitutes one. IT provides for each district
provost marshal, with the rank, pay, and emol-
uments of captain of cavalry, who shall be
NHuOl tho VirStiOu diIu SuUJtCt 10 Tue OTueTS
of provost marshal general. The chiefs Of
fee shall be at the seat of Governm ent, form
ing separate bureau of the War Department.
The marshals to be appointed by tho
President of the United States.
These marshals are charged with the follow
ing duties: They to search for an arrest
all deserters. The chief is to commun icate
to his subordinates all orders of the President
for calling oat the national forces; to furnish
blanks and instructions for drafting to keep
copies of all enrolment lists, and to perform
all other duties precrbed by the President
AAli deserters are to be arrested, wherever
found, and the subordinates are to report to
their chief all reasonable practices that come
to their knowledge; to seize all spies of the
enemy. A board of enrolment is to be es-
tablished in each district, one of whom is to
be surgeon.
The duties of this board are prescribed, as
follows:
Surgeons charged with tie duty OF such in
spection shall not receive from any person
money or other valuables. He shall not make
false or incorrect report. If he does so, he
shall be tried by court-martiai, and, on con-
Viction thereof, be punished by fine not ex-
ceeding five hundred dollars nor less than two
hundred, and be imprisoned at the discretion
of the court, and dismissed from the service
All persons drafted, exceeding the required
number, are to be dismissed, and paid their
travel, &c.
All persons drafted and furnishing substi-
tutes are to be exempt from military duty for
the period for which they were drafted.
Volunteers now in the service of the United
States that re- enlist to serve one year. after
the expiration of their present erm of service,
shalt be entitled to bounty of fifty dollars.
Those who re- enlist to serve for two years shall
receive one hundred dollars bounty.
Regiments of volunteers from the same
State reduced to one half of the maximum
number may be consolidated but no company
so formed shall exceed the maximum number
prescribed by law.
The bill provides that officers absenting
themselves from their commands without leave
may be tried by court martia and reduced
to the ranks ,and be made to serve three years,
or during the war. No soldier is allowed to
sell, barter, loan, pledge, or give away any
clothes or equipments received on entering
the service, neither can any persons except
such as are authorized by law, receive them
from him.
1t Furnishes all persons who enticc men TO
desert, with a fine not exceeding five hundred
dollars, and imprisonment not to exceed two
years, nor less than six months.
II also provides the following penalties a.