The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-02-13

waas d the HSv York Quota s-S'oiun-
tcering vcs,sus Draet.
II requires not only ci6se calculation, bat
good aud sound Judgment. on the part Of the
War Department 20 correctly and fairly arrange
the quotas for the different cities and districts
Owing TO the floating population Of cIdes. the
census is by no means fair criterion TO be
governed by in making out their quotas, while
it might be for The rural districts; and hence
cities are generally called upon for more than
their fair proportion of recruits.
We have no idea, If all the facts and deduc-
tions were taken into consideration and fair
estimate made, that the quota of New York
city, under the calls Of the President for Eve
hundred thousand men, would be anything like
thirty thousand, as has been generally given out
No other city in ii. korld, probably. has any
thing like the floating population that this city
has. II may be fairly estimated that there are
constantly among us from one hundred and
fifty thousand to two hundred thousand persons
mostly men who are mere squatters, sojourners
for day, week or month-birds Of passage,
who come and 60. with no fixed residence
among US, or anything to entitle them to any
of the privileges or duties of citizens That
such should be counted in making up our quota
would be clearly wrong. aud would put bur-
dens upon us not only hard to bear. but wholly
unjust The Department might with the same
propriety include the prisoners at Sing Sing in
making up the quota for the town or the district
in which it is located
Deducting this surplus, or large floating popu-
lation, taking the census of the capable arms
bearing population alone Of New York, it will
be found that thirty thousand as our quota is
greatly in excess of what we fairly owe, and
out Of all proportion with districts of the inte-
rior or in other States. Take the voters Of the
city at eighty thousand, and add five per cent
for those between the ages of eighteen and
twenty one, and we have eighty -four thousand
of all ages and conditions. Does any one sup
pose that out of these one third or more are oapa
BILE as arms-bearing citizens! The thing is prepos-
ferrous, and becomes still more 80 when We con.
slider the immense numbers Of able-boded men
we have already sent to the field. The number,
we must recollect, who are capable for duty
have terribly diminished within the last three
years, and probably the male population also;
proper authorities, wo think that they
will end that one-half the rumber the
press announces as our quota will be found
more nearly correct and corresponding more
nearly according to population, to the quotas
of other districts in this and other States. This
latter number can easily be raised by voiun-
teering with the present largo bounties; but q
draft would as utterly fail ia securing this
number az tho late one did in filling the call
made
On the call last season for thee hua-
drsd thousand men by draft dfty thousand Is
all the War Department acknowledges it
realized out Off 10 ell the States, or ne-sixth
the number demanded. All drafts will pro-
baby result stnailarly; but Leave the matter In
the hands of the local authorities Of cities,
towns or districts to obtain the men by volun-
teering, and they will be forthcoming, every
man Of them. Let the true numbers required
of us be fixed and known, and then let volun-
teering be pushed ahead, and II by the 10th Of
March it is found that we have nearly finished
Oui quOtn uouUsi0So suo ut@ts WAL Uo pVSs-
poned.
We notice that the Supervisors Volunteering
Commttoe have made . report to tho Board Of
Supervisors in regard TO it's action, in which. in
relation to our position on our quota, 1t esti-
mates that tho various calls Of the President give
to this city as the number called for, including
deficiencies. .....:................. 80, 900
From which deduct extra numbers called
for as deficiencies. Observation-Disclosures. 10 900
Leaving the number actually demand
ed (Which somewhat exceeds our own
rough estimate). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 20 900
We have supplied under the various cals...l4 ,093
Leaving to be supplied. ................ Is, 9O7
Add one-half 90 deficiency. ................ 1854
Total to be supplied by the Volunteering
SonInltee NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. o,SOl
That the committee will be able, with its
present efficient action, under Supervisor Blunt,
to raise this number by the middle of March or
LIST Of April there seems to be no reasonable
doubt. A draft, then, we should consider
wholly inexpedient and unnecessary. Let the
committee persevere; let the public and the
press assist instead of throwing obstacles in the
way, aud our quota will soon be filled.
The New Bankrupt Law.
Of the various measures proposed for the
relief Of bankrupts, the bill that has been pre-
pared by Mr.. Jenckes. of tho special committee
annointed nv the House Of Representatives to