Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-04-26
An Extraordinary Law Suit in B0stOH-
How fhe Dog snapped al she ShR-
dOw iu she Water, and Last
his Neaf.

From a Boston Letter.l
One Of the largest and most important
law suits in the history Of Boston, or of
New England, has just been virtually de-
cided. The facts Of the affair are 50 SIM
pie that / can convey an idea of it TO your
readers in q paragraph. In the dark
days of 1864, when the end Of the war
seemed a long way Oft when volunteer
ing was at an end, and the draft immi-
neut, the city of Boston was called upon
for about six thousand men. 4 draft was
always abhorrent TO the population here
Ofall classes, and dismsyre supreme'
Money was given like water for sub
stitutes, and the price of men ranged
from $500 TO $1,000 each. At this time
one Chas. BUrrll consulted with the
municipal authorities as to the best
means Of filing the quota, by procuring
repent ant rebels from the prison camps
in the West, and by bringing To light
credits not heretofore allowed. The
mayor signed a paper promising to give
him Sl1j Tor each name obtained. With
this paper in his pocket, Mr. BuTrell hur-
ried 10 Washington, paying little atten-
tiOn to the enlistment Of ,Teoels in the
West, and devoted his energies to get
ting men who We're already enrolled in
the navy credited against the quota. A
oil introduced into Congress for the pur-
pose was opposed by the Western mem
belS. Mr.. Burrili took measures -
" - lac hints were expensive ones to
sileAe their opposition and secure their
votes. The bill passed. lie posted back
10 Boston, and copied from the books OF
the receiving ship at the Charleston
navy yard the names Of about 5000 men
H., 481 enlisted F1,a~a l.,
as their residence. The list was passed
to the credit of the city on The books of
The provost officers, the quota was filed.
and Boston was saved from draft.
The rejoicing Of the city authorities
over this preservation We're interrupted
by the presentation Of Nr. BurriIFs bill,
'l25 for each name which his exertions
lad obtained, amounting to about three
quarters Of a million OfmOney. The con-
ract, given with the hope that he might
Enlist hundred men, seemed TO stand
sqUally good now that six thousand
names had been obtained, at cost cheap
or single recruits, but appalling in the
aggregate. The mayor, in despair wished
hat by the sacrifice of his entire for
une, he could wipe away the debt
lnder which he had placed the tax
1ayers. Propositions Of compromise We're
made, and Mr.. BuTTiN was allowed an
mount which would have made him
Wealthy To relinquish his claim. He
demanded the whole sum, however, and
would not abats a jot. Consultations
With lawyers followed. The city author /
ties took heart, and determined TO fight /
he case in the courts. An imposing
rray Of counsel was engaged on both |
ides Gen. Benjamin L. Butler heading
he plaintiffs force. The trial was begun |
asst week. After Mr.. Burrili's testimony
vas all i'm, the defendant asked the court !
o take the case from the Jury on ques- |
ions of law to be decided by full bench. /
AfteU some hours of argument, this was
lone, and although Of course the decision |
vas not final, Mr.. Burrilps claim, for
which i've days ago be would not take
i've hundred thousand dollars, is now
worth nothing at all. The point made !
81 the defendants counsel, of course, /
vas that the mayor had no authority to |
make such q contract, and there is every
probability that it viii be 50 decided. |
lad the amount claimed been a tenth of |
What il was, it would undoubtedly have |
zen paid without resort to law but Mr.. |
5urrei's vJracity was not content with |
small sum, and no tax payer Is sorry !
hat he has now lost the whole.