Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-01-14

substitute BY paying $402 in addition to his $500 but the
Government also discharges the veteran Tor the limo he
has yet To That ia the whole Of u.
Mr.. WILSON That is not the whole OF II.
Mt. D0OLIrrLE. There is another question wish
to put Under that arrangement may not gentlemen who
may possibly be drafted IN Massachusetts 20 down among
our regiments here that from Wisconsin and in
the army and engage all OF them whose terms expire
within year to bs substitutes for ia Massachusetts
Mr.. WILSON. We can do 1t to-day un Ter the present
law
Mr.. DOOLITTLE. Do it under the law, though the
in the army / desre to understand this bust
ness / wish to know what the law is do not suppose
il s possible that by any rule OF Department. BY any
law that passed by Congress, man can enlist,
and at the time enlist for himself and enlist for an
other person also. "
Mr. SHERMAN The object had 10 offering this
amendment is accomplished wished to call tho atten-
ton of the Senate and particularly Of the Military Com
mtee, to the ambiguity OF the law As construo this
section, any soldier who has been enlisted but
month may be hired substitute 1t is true that under
the orders of the War Department it cannot be done but
under the bill il take it that this bill IL passed. will
supersede the order OF the Secretary War and the bill
expressly declares that any may be an acceptable sub
sttuts who is not subject Of draft soldier ia the
service although he may have been there but One month
enlisted for three years. not subject to draft and
shrewd 4wyer would at make the point The chair
of the COMMITTEES admits his construction Of the la
to be that soldier is not liable to draft
Mr.. COWAN That is true; but think the honorable
Senator from Ohio is perhaps correct in his other
sruction Who is not liable to draft is not the only
qualification upon the substitute He must not only be
to draft" The officer would have right to reject sub
stut because he already in the service and should
think it would be ono Of the best of reasons
Mr. SHERMAN. The word acceptable" / think, by
fair construction would be applied simply to freedom from
physical disability At any rate, it manifest that the
section it stands gives rise to many different
structons. Gentlemen d,f.r about it agree myself
with the purpose sought to be accomplished by the chair
OF the Military Committee think that the veteran
soldier who has served two years ought to have
the benefit OF any high bounes that may be paid; and
Alau ha tn
give him opportunity to compete for the large bountes
think however it ought to be confined TO the respective
States where the drafted reside do not think the
State Of Massachusetts ought to be allowed to to the
volunteers Of the State Of Wisconsin for substitutes,
rice think that where veteran soldier is offered
substitute, it should BIS yete soldier in the
vice from the State where the drafted resides and
that his term Of service unexpred should not be
than months because is not good arrangement for
the Government Of the United States to allow soldiers
who have served two years and have yet year to
serve-probaby as long the will last--tO receive
these large boun'ies and thus discharge able bodied
man. ] now withdraw my amendment, with view to
allow the chairman Of the Military Committee to
the matter carefully and report such amendment he
thinks will make the section perfect.
Mr. WILSON. 1 will say to the Senator from Ohio
that willing to take his amendment az he suggested
it. am willing that the section shall be amended that
person who wishes to pet veteran soldier subs
tute shall get from his State, and that the time
of the in the service who is thus offered subst
tute shall not have more than six months TO run.
Mr. COLLAMER, Allow me to ask question
What sort of hurt injury is 1T TO any State have
taken from that State and credited to the quota OF
another State if he who is not subject to be
roed7 You may as we'll get such man in one place as
another. tf
Mr.. SHERMAN will tell the honorable Senator the
The State Of Ohio for instance has great pride
ia her regiments She would dislike very much to have
her regiments depleted by enrolling officers from other
taking men out Of her own regiments and trans
porting them to Massachusetts, any other State by the
offer Of large bountes 1t would destroy the esprit de
corps Of the regiments.
Mr.. COWAN Another reason wish TO state just
here Ii would bring the poorer States in competition
with the richer States in struggle to buy their
for substitutes, which ought to DO avoided
MrWILSON. ! willing TO avoid that, but Senator's
thought. did not to understand this section at all
IL this bill be adopted whole amending the existing
law there will be persons capable Of doing military
duty who will not be liable to be enrolled drafted For
instance all young under twenty years of age not
liable to be DIR fled Soldiers who ia the
not bs drafted aud they cannot be enlisted unless by
the order of the Government The Government in order
to induce the soldiers to reens has ssued order pro-
vldDg that they have less than year to they
nay Ieen- their present regiments and the residue of
their xped time given 10 them Thus they have in
reality but five years instead Of 1t is OF great
Importance 10 get thesa soldiers into tho service This
provision made for the benefit the Government tbs
respect 1t provides that any 10 the country finding
his the enrolment list, and wishing to relieve
himself from possible draft may enlist alien, may
hist young under twenty t for service, may enlist
OF those whom the Govermsn mt have given leave
TO resnst acceptable substitute for hmsef and
be drafted and is drafted he will have then this adyanage
he may unless amend the act furnish acceptable
substitute wherever he feds him whether the substitute
liable Ia be drafted not If the Senator would
like tn amend this section 10 provide that If the sub
stus furnished shall be 10 the military service be shall
be rom the State where the person wishing to obtain him
substitute resides where they both reside will agree
to It,
Mr. DAVIS According to my under standing Of the Gov
ernment ~ has authorized the enlistment OF Tor three
years aud here in The Secretary Of War; and upon
months Of the term OF three to be RENTED upon
condition that the solder to whom be- offers th,s
sion will consent tn enlistment for three years
during the ss 81.
ask by what authority the Secretary of War
10 dispense with the laws Of Co0grsss ask by
what authority be presumes to remit twelve months Of the
term of the veteran the field Whence does he derive
this high power What s the effect oft The country
loses the benefit Of twelve month. shorter term of
wire Of veteran and he becomes a substitute another
who is liable under the law to for the full term
Of three years The amount Of tune that the veteran hs
served and the amount that he has To full term
OF three year, Two men, INSTEAD OF being bound 10
vice. an actually dcring service for ak ye.r.hree
years each-divide the matter between them and
but FIVE; but years service is given up that the
most valuable to the country to be rendered by veteran
soldier. giI4. 6
Mr. howe What law is it that the Secretary Of
War has violated in allowing these soldiers to be dis
charged N
Mr. DAVIS, Were not these men enlisted for three
years
Mr. HOWE. ] understand so, unless sooner dis
charged" M y
Mr.. WILSON u the Senator will allow me. win
read the term Of service from the law: tsestat
That the service Of the volunteers shall be for such time
az. ....