The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-08-06

n, :. Ao~ LUX an0 BROOKLYN
The average demand made Oh them Is 70,
1857 men each, while in Masspchusett,
tie average demand made On each Dis.
trict 10 for 2,l67 men. The census re-.
turns show that the proportion of aliens
ana females in large towns should make
'nelr quota less. not greater, than in other
sections. These returse are conf ned by
Tue character of their respective popula-
ton. mot only are aliens enumerated in
New York and Brooklyn, but females
make larger proportionate number than
elsewhere, as they fnd moro employment
In work shops or as domestics, and il a
comparison is made between cities of diff
lerent sections the proportion of men de-
manded from New York and BROOKLYN il
still more startling, while ia these cities
20 Eer cent. of the population is enrolled
10 Boston only l24 per cent. q, less than
one half that ratio are made liable to be
drafted. The ten Congressional Districts
OF Massachusetts, are required to furnish,
under the last call, only 2I $40 mea. The
firss ten Congressional Districts in hi.
state ars called on for 1854, making
an excess of IA. 1856.
Il is clear that great injustice is done
under this enrolment l do not mean
to md fault with those who made them
IN New York and Brooklyn. l ksow
what they etate is true, that it is not DOS
sibIe to avoid the enrolment of persons
who are not liable TO be drafted, because
they are aliens or non residents. Tbosa
whose names are there erroneously put
down have no interest in correcting the
list, while the fact that they swell the en-
roilment brings . grievous bdrthen upon
the districts to whom they ara charged.
The draft makes . heavy hain unon
oil parts Of our country. In our cite.
It 10 terrible affection. A great pro-
portion Of their inhabitants live upon dai-
iy wages which they must receive with
regularity to enable them to riye bread.
fuel. and shelter, to their families. These
can only be obtained by cash payments
The pay Of soldiers, which is made at ir-
regular times, and perhaps, /. compare
uveiy long periods, will not provide the
necessary support for these families in
cities like New York and Brdoklyp. and
they are frequently broken up and ruined
Every consideration of iustid and bu-
manity demsnds that uneou1l bur,hen.
should not be thrown upon them.
IL proper, should say, tn At since the
beginning OF thi, civil war tn pse ci ties
have not only furnished their full quotas
bat are to day entitled to credit OF about
3,OU0 three years men. Il Would be an
act OF justice to count each OF these men
against three men under the present call
for service for one year. But these cities
have done more: they have, On repeated
occasions, promptly answered the calls OF
the Department in times of pec eculiar trial
They have been able to do this because.
at great expense, they have kept up we'll
disciplined militia. The cost of this has
been as much for the advantage of the U
). as for the ci!y's good. These excess
I've enrollments also subject I'd heavy tax
alton those who have been foremost in
filing the National Treasury and giving
TO the Government the money which has
enabled It to pay its soldiers. L know that
you will agree with me that New York
City and Brooklyn have strong claims not
only upon the equity. but upon the graft
'nde OF those who are administering the
Affairs of the nation.
In answer to an appeal which l made
TO you last year to correct similar wrongs,
you appointed VIZ. +. All en of this
State, Chauncey Smith Of Mas J., aud Jno.
Lane of Ind, as commissioners to exam
ine into the enrolment of 1864. They
submitted an able repor,. showing lis
great injustice, and yon relieve d those ci-
ties from great wrong. l urge that
some similar plan be adopted now, that
the quota Of the State, which especially
IN the districts l have named, New York
city and Brooklyn, appear 70 be wrong
and oppressive. may be adjusted equi-
tshly in proportion TO the demands made
IN other parts Of the country.
Since the enrollments we're made there
has been no opportunity 10 correct them,
neither can this be done in time, while
names may be added 10 the lists, and
those who were improperly placed there
cannot be stricken of. In large cities
the excess of names cannot be detected.
and citizens are not familiar with the
name or the condition Of th eis aeighbors.
In country districts it is otherwise.
Truly yours,