American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-02-15
ps,- The following letter we publish

boz The following letter We publish
because it comes from the army. While
we thus publish It by REQUEST, we are free
to say that we think there must be some
misunderstanding about this matter We
are not advised as to who all the board
are. One of them, however. called upon
us not long since, and, if our memory is
not defective, inquired, among other
things, as to the law on exoneration and
on examination, we were surprised to find
no positive provision exonerating those in
the service. The Directors, however, have
general exonerating power and if the
agreement was, as stated in the following,
the board we think, should make good
the understanding, and surely no one
would object. The following is the let
ter.
Co. A, 6rH PA. H, ART, FT. MARCY,
VA, February 2, 1865.
EDITOR CITIZEN: Sir will you be
so kind as to allow me space in your val
liable columns, to say few words as to.
the course pursued by majority of the
School Directors Of Clinton tp., in regard
to levying the tax, to pay the local boun-
ty, of those who gave their credits to said
Township at the time of the last draft.
After holding several meetings, they con-
cluded they would pay the sum of s400
to each recruit who would credit himself
to the Township, issuing bonds and bor-
rowing money to pay the same, until such
time as they could levy and collect the
necessary tax. But this was less than
many neighboring townships and coonties
were paying at the same time, so of course
they could not get their quota filled from
abroad. Still enough of her citizens, to
fill her quota, volunteered and agreed to
accept that amount, (although every one
of them was offered S525 to give their
credits to Allegheny county,) and give
their credits to their native township
But with the distinct and express, altho'
only verbal agreement, that their proper
ty would be exempt from taxation for the
purpose of raisingsaid bounty--or for the
purpose of raising bounty--to fill their
quota of any draft ordered during their
~, o. Pr 81 l.
come when the " bonds must be redeem
ed and the borrowed money refunded,
hence the tax must be assessed and col
lccted. DO they live up to their agree
ment? No, sir = The property of these
men who are out in the service of their
country, is taxed the same as those who
are enjoying all the comforts of home,
and whose property is yielding them
handsome income, Notwithstanding their
agreement to the contrary, and notwith-
standing the fact that these men did ac-
cept 1925 less than they could have OBJ
tained elsewhere, in order that they might
give their credits to their native town
ship: thus virtually taking portion of
the bounty off each property holder who
so enlisted, or in other words, making
them pay portion of their bounty out of
their own pockets. Now Mr.. Editor |
appeal to your candid readers, Is this
right Is it law? Is it justice? 1t may
law, (although we doubt it very much)
but it ca pnot be justice One thing sure
is those Directors knew, what these men,
whom'they have thus treated think of their
conduct they would never dare to show
them their faces again for very shames
sake. II meets with the utter condemn
alton of every one of them, both property
holders and others, and | think it will
meet the same at the hands of every low
er of right an justice. BY publishing
this and thus let the public see how they
have acted in the matter, you will much
oblige "THE CLINTON BOYS"