The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-02-24
THE ENROLMENT ACT.


This important measure was passed BY
Congress last week.
The draft is to be made, if at all, by
wards, precincts, or townships; the pro
portion or quota of each is to be ascer-
tanned, as nearly as possible, taking into
the account tho number previously fur
nished by it, not only for the army but
also for the naval service.
Any person enrolled may furnish, pre-
viously 70 the draft, substitute not liza
BILE to the draft, ard shall be exempt dur
ing the time for which his substitute shall
be exempt.
Any person drafted may furnish a sub
stitute, and if the latter is not liable to
draft, shall be exempt during the time
the substitute is exempt, but not exceed
ing the term for which he was drafted.
If the substitute is liable the principal
shall be liable in filing further quotas
If the drafted person pay Communication,
such payment shall relieve him only for
that quota, and in no case shall his ex-
emptiou extend beyond one year
Members of religious denominations
conscientiousIy opposed to bearing arms,
and SO declaring by oath or affirmation,
may be assigned, when drafted, to hospi-
tails, or may pay $500 for the benefit Of
sick and wounded soldiers.
Aliens who have voted or held efice
shall be liable to draft Mariners or able
seamen drafted may within eight days en-
list in the naval service for a period not
less than the term of the dran the whole
number of such transfer enlistments not
to exceed 10000. Districts to be cred
tied with such enlistments as if the draft
ed men had entered the military service.
NO pilot, engineer, master at-arms, acting
master, acting ensign, or acting masters
mate is liable to draft
Persons physically or mentally unfit,
persons actually in the military or naval
service, and persons who have served two
years during the war and have been hon
orably discharged, are exempt
Only sons, "mother's dependent Oh
their sons" and that class of exemptiops
are stricken out
The two "elasses" in the old act are
consolidated
The onrollment lists are to be thorough
ly revised, SO as to add the names of all
who have reached the arms, bearing age
since they were made, and to drop all who
have passed forty-fve since then.
For the benefit of white men in the
slave states, upon whom the former law
bore oppressively, it is provided that the
enrolment shall include blacks and slaves;
thus the non-slaveholding will no longer
have to bear the burden Of their wealthy
slaveholding neighbors. Slaves are not
exempt, but to their masters is given the
government bounty; and government
commission is to sit, in each slave state,
to award just compensation to those whose
slaves have been drafted and made free.
Persons resisting the enrolment, or
aiding and abetting resistance, or resist
ing any officer charged with duties under
those acts, shall be punished By fine not
exceeding FIVE years, or both.
Persons procuring exemption by fraud
shall be deemed dsserters, and punished
as such, and held to service for the full
term of the draft.
Whoever procures or attempts to pro-
cure false report from tbs surgeon as to
his physical condition, shall DO imprison-
ed for period of the draft.
Surgeons guilty Of misfeasance shall
be punished by fine and Imprisonment
No member of the Board of Enroll.
meut or other officer shall be concerned
in procuring substitutes on caalty of 6ne
AMI iLnprlseument.