The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1863-09-30

ganizations should be the able bodied cili
zens between sixteen and sixty wear. If
age, not in Confederate service ar otherwise
legally exempted and in this class should
be embraced all persons who have procured
exemptions by furnishing substitutes. No
one should be relieved from the duty Of de.
Tending his hone because Of having furn.
Ished substitute for the war for Confede-
rate service. Aliens who have declared
their purpose to become citizens, as also
such as are domicil.d amongst US, enjoying
the protection Of our laws, should be inclu
ded. recommend, also, that the class of
those whose service is limited to the dis
trict or regiment in which they reside, be
reduced to the lowest practicable point
consistent with the safe policy of the State.
l call your attention to the Repor, Of the
AdJutant and Inspector General upon this
subject, herewith transmitted.
ln connection with the subject OF eremp
tions, | call your atteption TO my correspon.
dence with the Commandant of Conscripts
for South Carolina, Major &. d. Melton,
who is the successor Of Col. John s. Pres
ton, with whom, previous to your last extra
sesslon, had correspondence, n copy of
which was then transmitted TO you. Anoth
er copy, as also a copy Of that with Mai
Melton, Is now transmitted. This subject
calls fer legislation so as to reconcile As far
as possible the d,tf.repce between the laws
OF the two governments Ii is an impor.
tant Question involving the jurisdiction of
the Two go'ernments, and needs to be deli.
cately handled. i am satisfied our true
policy -, as far az is compatible with the
constitutional lights uf the State, to con.
form to the law Of Congress on this subject
l have not felt ut Liberty to make any des
tinction between the classes exempted by
our law when the cases have been made.
but have claimed the exemption Of all alik.
The action Of the Executive Council. on
the same subject, and the action Of you,
two Houses, at your last session (the House
approving and the Senate by it's silence nc
quiesclng) made il proper that ! should re.
ply 10 MAJ Melton as had done t. Col.
Preston.
Additional Legislation is needed to enable
the Executive, through civil or military AL
th"rity. or both, more effectuully 10 aid tn.
Confederate GovernnIent in arr.stinp deser
ters from the army. In most cases the ub .
senteea have probably not left their com.
mands with the intent To desert their colors:
but the result OF their absence is the same
as far as the good Of the service and pro.
lection OF the country is concerned | have
endeavored, so far as ! was authorized, 10
afford assistance, bn. the law is INADEQUATE
10 such efficient aid a. 10 needed SIuny
conslrue your late act on this subject TO
mean that the Sheriff. are no, to render Aid
to The Enrolling Officer till resistance has
In aI II
OF course. makes his escape. Such law a.
you may think proper 10 pass should en-.
brace deserters from State service and
should also punish aiding and abctting do
serters IN escaping from the army, and in
resisting or avoiding arrest.
] invite your attention TO the Operation of
the system Of impressmen. adopted by the
Confederate Government. ! nm infnrm-d
that IN some sections, where the people
have little more than is absolutely neces
sary Tor their own use, il is spprehended
that desti.ution will be brought about by IT,.
unequal operation. Coming as you do from
every section Of the State, you are doubt
less better Informed upon this ssbiect than
myself, and better prepared 10 adopt ia.
dicious policy than | am now TO suggest il.
| have called The attention Of the Conf.der.
ate Government to the subject and supges.
ted TO them the probability that the coilec.
ton Of the tax in kind, which operates more
equally on all, would obviaie the necessity
for the impressment Of provisions.
The system adopted for furnishing labor
tor coast defences has failed 10 ACCOMPLISH
its purpose. Large numbers have avnilro
themselves Of the provision Of the law and
paid the fns Of one dollar and fifty cents
instead OF furnishing the labor; and Others,
with the hope Of impunty, have neither
furnished the labor or paid the fine Win
the money collected by the sgenl he has
been unable to hire auy labor. I recon-.
mend an amendment OF the Acts on this
subject, so as 10 abolish the fine and 90 AS
to authorize the Governor, through the
Commissioners Of Roads. (who in the main
are true to their trus,s,) TO impress the Ia
Dor reauisits to enable him to respond to
the calls Of the Commanding General. ,iy.
inc credit for all Inhnr nr.yinusI, r.. A