The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-01-21
Pratt Meetings.


the draft question. When Linceln's las:
sdraft for 100000 men was ordered, and the
Quotas of all the sub districts had been looted
up. Ottawa WAS found 10 ahead of that draft
Since then she has put in quite number OF
substitutes; vet though only 100000 have
been added TO that draft Of 100000 since 1t
was made, and Ottawa's proportion OF that
additional loo, 600 men would not be 30 men.
it is said our city is now to be drafted for
from - to 100 men, according to the last !
"explanation'' of Provost Marshal Gen. Fry
that is if anybody can understand anything
that comes from that quarter, for Il must be
admitted that for transcerdent ambiguity,
Prov NJ Gen. Fry transceuds the Delphic
oracle itself.
So, rs We have said. Ottawa has walked up
and on Wednesday evening large public
meeting convened At the court house 10 take
the business into consideration. Hon. WN.
REDDIcK was called TO the char and GEo.
AVERY appointed secretary. Nobody ap-
peared to be able - give any information
whether we Should hare draft here or not,
but Mr.. Frank = arner aud others were posi-
tive it was coming, and pretty strong at that,
AMI that something must be done. SO mayor
Rice put the ball in motion by proposition
after this SOFT: That plan be adopted to or
ganize this sub-district into special corpora
ton that 50 be collected off each person
liable to draft within the limits of said corpo-
ration; and that to the sum SO raised be add
ed an additional sum Of not to exceed 500,
0O0 te % -a:sed b. special TAX on the pro
perry within SAID suo-tIsjrict; and that. with
the money SO raised volunteers be raised to
relieve the city from TIE draft. The meeting
seemed to ike the plan, and al once appoint
ed a committee TO draft a memorial and bill
to be presented to the legislature, asking 1t to
legalize said special corporation, and giving
it the necessary power to levy the tax conten-
plated and another committee 10 perfect a
plan of organization, &c, and a mode Of rails
ing the proposed subs riPtion 1875 per capita
The meeting then adjourned to Thursday eve
ming to hear the reports Of these committees,
Thursday evening the meeting again as
rembled. The committee to draft bill and
memorial reported. The bill created the cor
poration as suggested, and authorized n tax
of 100000. This was cut down to $50 600;
and subsequently, By the executive committee
70 $1,000 for this draft, aud not over $4,000
each for drafts hereafter In this shape
the report was approved.
The other committee reported 4 plan Of Or
ganization, &C., in substance that The first
six wards Of the city be created Z special cor
poratiou, under The name Of the Ottawa Draft
Relief Association Any person paving So
becomes {; member The officers to DC an
executive committee, who, in conjunction
with the city council, shall raise and disburse
al moneys raised by contribution or taxa
ton 10 procure volunteers. Also providing
for a committee of two from each ward to COL
lect So from each person liable to draft
TIE executive committee to appoint some
person or persons to visit Springfield to pro-
Scure the necessary legislation. The report
was also adopted, and Hon. VIM. Reddick,
Hon VIM Hickling. C. VI. VanDoren, \.
F. Dow, and Sohn S. Mitchell were appointed
the Executive Committee therein named.
So there the matter Tow rests, in the hands
Of the Executive Committee. But hy are
BY no means idle. They were in session
nearly all day yesterday, and BY last evening,
We understand, had their subcommittee rea-
dy to start for Springfield.
. The plan adopted, undoubtedly,is feasible,
though few property owners, among whom
J. O. Glover made himself most conspicuous
At the meeting, oppose it bitterly as unjust,
Illegal &c. The dispositions, however, is
strong &c put it through and the Executive
Committee are the sort OF men &c do it. We
think Ottawa will escape TIE draft.