Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-02-25
The Quota of Pennsylvania.

The manner in which the quota of Penn
uylvania has been assigned, has called
forth an able letter from Governor Curtin
to President Lincoln, in which the ipjus-
tioe done 10 the State by the whimsical
inconsistency and unjust decisions oil Pro.
vost Marshal Fry are clearly pointed out,
and the President called upon to see that
justice is done in the case, and that here.
after the Government officials shall be
guided by tho laws Of Congress in assign
ing the quotas. 1t is the most manly and
independent letter we have seen from the
Governor for long while. We regret
that We have not space to give il entire.
The following is the closing part of it;
'Sir; You may not have been horcto-
fore apprised of the fact that your subor
dnates are wholly disregarding the Act
Of Gath cf February, 1864. They are
proceeding in open and direct violation Of
it, aud are thus creating naturally great
confusion and uncertainty among the peo-
pie. They announce on the one hand
that although three years man counts
only as a one.year man towards the quota
on which be volunteers, vet he shall ba
counted as three one years men, towards
the quota on future call. This is direct.
ly in the teeth Of the law. On the other
hand they are cyphegiDg out deficiency
on the last call by counting three one
years men as the only equivalent to one
three years man, which is equally against
the law.
Thus the quota Of Pennsylvania, under
the call of 18th July last, was Glled il
accordance with the law by men to ser7'
for not less than one year. Term of ser
vice of these men is not yet half expired
= and yet your sabordinates are threatening
draft to 6!l an alledged deficiency o.
that very call, the existence Of which the
attempt to make out by persisting in thei
unlawful and unsubstantial theories an
calculations, Oar people know that til
Government requires more men. The
are wiling to furnish them, heavy as th
burden has become on the industrial poE
ulalon. let the requirement be made i
the clear and definite shape which the La
provides for, and it will be cheerful
complied with But it is hardly to be to
Grated that your subordinates sh ould /
permitted longer to pursue the system
substituting, for the law, an eccentric pla
of their own.
Sir, in behalf of the Frecmen of til
Commonwealth, who have always given
cheerful and hearty support to your 60,
.srnment in the prosecution OF this war;
it is my duty TO inslst,- and do insist
that you enforce upon your subordinate
chat obedience to the law which you ow
as we'll as they and all Of US. 1t is of ey
example-it tends to enfeeble, nay to d
stroy-'he Just powero the government
shat you should suffer your officers
treat with open contempt any acts Of Co
gress, and especially those which yc
have yourself approved, and which reg
late mater of such deep eud delica
'Icoment as the enforcing draft for Il
military service.
Relying heartily en- your wisdom al
justice to set right what has thus been g
ing wrong aud to compel henceforth {
the part OF all, proper respect for c,
obedience tc the laws Of the land,
l am, sir, very respectfully,
A, G. CURTIN"
The War Meetings in Richmont