The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-03-31
Those Naval Enlistmsnts.

In the address Of the Mayor which We pub
lshed last week he (the Mayor denies our
statement Of tho iaeth,ient manner In which
the authorities have procured enlistments and
obtained proper credits, and says that not
cent Of the alleged Si3, 900 has been lost. We
quote, and our citizens will do well to weigh
the manner of denial:
While filling the July call the discovery was
made, accidentally or ia some other mdRhsr, II
matters not how, by parties not connected ,cih
the eisy government that the city could have
credit for sixty-two men who were in or sup
posed to be in the navy. These men ut the
price they were then worth amounted TO about
Si3, 900. and ~ soon as the fact WAS ascertained
that they were supposed to &c due US immedi.
ate action was had In the matter and every man
of the sixty.two was credited TO the city on its
quota under the July call, so that not dollar
was lost as has been stated. IL there Is any
thing in the fact that any private citizen OF
whatever party, possessing knowledge which IL
costs nothing either 10 obtain or communicate,
desires to arrogate to himself any undue need
nf praise for having used that knowledge to the
benefit of his own city in times like these, I
will not envy him the pleasure arising from
such an honorable course.
Gu the 2ist Of October we summed up rs con.
cis.ly rs possible the manner Of obtaining those
credits; and rs every word Of that Is not only
true. but viii exactly account for the gingerly
manner in which the subject Is approached by
the Mayor, We reproduce . part Of the arti-
Gle:
A few days since citizen and Republican Of
Ward two, prevailed upon the city government
10 take some aston towards obtaining the
names Of those who had enlisted from this place
In the naval service. and have the same credit.
oil 10 our present quota. Accordingly q hasty
canvass vas made In the different wards. and
,irfv screen were found 10 have thus enlisted.
Judge Berry and Mayor Adams thereupon re.
paired 10 Augusta 10 obtain the proper credits.
The Adiutant General was In doubt whether the
COMMISSIONER report had been forwared to
Washington, or not; II 50. no alteration could
take place. and consequently the city must lose
the Aforesaid credits. Il proved that, although
made out, the COMMISSIONER report had been
delayed. An examination was had, and tren.
fy-ttro naval snlistmsnts were found TO our
credit In the Adj. Generals record. Ten Of
this number were allowed from q report from
Mayor Adams made on he sofa Of August,
and ficsirs were credited ON returns from the
War Department. But. hfteen names of the
si1ty-ssvsn claimed. were found already credit
ed. and the new list vas thus reduced 10 afiv.
two. Twelve Of this number were thrown ont
two for homage 10 regard to the draft. J Eve
were passed to other towns owing to claims
mt In prior 10 ours. and ave were ns.ss.s -,
The general credit Of the State. leaving hi. sa,,y
claims yet to be adiudicsted. and which NAV .,
nav not be allowed.
The attention Of our people Il called TO IN.
above Acts and figures. In January, Gov. Go.
nv cent . circular to our authorities urging
them TO take measures to have the town prop
.r,y credited with les naval enlistmenis. We
have vet to learn that any notice was taken Of
the request, which seems strange. inasmuch as
1 vas wholly for our benefit 10 TO do. Sax
monshs after. or on the first Of June, blanks
were sent to the Mayor s5aia reminding the