Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-03-02
TaE RAFTsMAnss JOURNAL.
THE CONsORTPTION BILL

The C0NSORfPTI0N BILL
Whatever may be the extent to which the
needs OF the country may neeessitate the
practical enforcement of the draft, it Is one
comfort that We have at length a Comscrip-
tlon Law which Is measurably perfect, and
which IS ready to hand whenever occasion
requires. The act of last year, 10 which the
bill just passed takes the form of an amend
ment, proved notorlously defective, and it be-
came the duty OF Congress to remedy its err
rors In doing tins. the committees intrlst-
ed with the elaboration Of the new bill deserve
the credit of patient laborious conscientious
effort. All other systems Of conscrption
have been laid under tribute and no pains has
been spared TO render the law at once efficient
and ilIst. Ii 1t has seemed at times that the
elaborate discussion 1t occasioned in both
branches of Congress was causing needless
delay in the passage of the measure, it is at
least a matter Of satisfaction that we have
now law which bids fair to realize the prac-
teal desideratum contemplated, without
at the same time beng too onerous Oh the
public.
In its fnal form the bill provides that the
quotas of localities shall be as nearly as pos
sibie in proportion TO the numberof men resi-
dent therein liable to military service, taking
into account, as far practicable the num-
Those enlisting IN the naval service viii also
be taken into account, as we'll as allwhO may
volunteer after the ordering Of the draft. 1t
also provides that If the quota OF any dis
trict shall not be filed by the draft, further
draft shall be made, and ike proceedings
had until the quota OF the district Is filed
Persons enrolled may furnish at any time
previous to the draft an acceptable substitute
who is not liable, and such persons thus fur
nishing a substitute shall be exempt from the
draft not exceeding the time for which such
substitutes shall have been accepted Any
person drafted may before the time fixed Tor
his appearance Tor duty at the rendezvous,
furnish an acceptable substitute. If any
drafted person shall hereafter pay money Tor
the procuratlOG OF a substitute, such pay
ment shall operate only to relieve the per
son from draft on that call and his name
shall be retained on the roll and he shall be
subject to draft In filling future quotas BIT
in 40 instance shall tie crempttDR al ann
person. or account Of his payment of c0na.sss-
tdti05 money far the y2fOcarufi0R Of o SHJ-
sttiHte, ectetd beyond one year but at the
end Of one year IN every such case the name
Of any person 50 exempted shall be enrolled
again, # not before returned To the enroll
ment list under the provision Of this section
The following persons are exempted from
enrolment and draft, viz Such as are re
jected as physically or mentally unfit for
service ali persons actually in the military
or naval service OF the United States at the
time OF the draft; and all persons who have
served IN the military or naval service two
years during the present war, and been hon
orably discharged. No persons but such as
are herein exempted shall he exempt.
So much OF the Enrolment Act as pro
vidcs for two classes Of enrolment Is repeal
ed, and they are now consolidated.
No person OF foreign birth shall on oc-
count OF alicnage be exempted from enroll
ment or draft. who has at any time assumed
the rights OF a citizen. by voting at any e
lection held under the authority of the laws
Of any State or Territory, or Of the United
States or who has held any Office under
such laws, or any Of them; but the fact that
such person Of foreign birth has voted or
held, or shall vote or hold Office, shall be ia
ken as conclusive evidence that he IS not en-
titled 20 exemption from military service on
account Of alienage.
Al able bodied male colarcd persons be
tween the ages Of twenty and f0rty-tive years.
resident in the United States. are 20 be en-
rolled according to the provisions of the En-
rolnent Act, and form part 0i the national
forces And when a slave Of loyal master
be drafted and mustered into the SER
vice Of the United States. his master shall
have certificate thereof and thereupon
such slave shall bc free, and the bounty of
500, now payable by law for each drafted
man, shall be paid to the person to whom
such drafted person was owing service or
labor at the time Of his muster into the ser
vice of the United States