Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1917-07-07

men between the ages of twenty
one and thirty-one have been regis
tered, and from this number Uncle
Sam will take his first army of 1000
for active duty in France.
Everybody Is familiar with what
happened on that momentous day,
Tuesday, June 3, 1917. There is ne
need to repeat the story Of what oc-
Cured then. In great contrast with
the actions of the citizens in 1917 we
read of the terrible draft riots that
occurred in New York city and to "A
lesser extent, in other cities Of the
United States in 1868.
The draft of 1917 was essentially
democratic. Exemption cannot be
bought 1t must be for cause.
The draft of 1868, besides being so
conducted as to suggest blind lottery
with life, the names coming out of a
wheel like prizes of fate, was undem-
ocratic. Exemption could be bought
for money. One whose name was
drawn had either to go to the front or
pay $500 In money. This was what
really caused the violent protest. says
the New York Tribune.
The riots of 1868 took New York I'M
aware. On July 10, 1868, at 1890
o'clock in the morning a pistol shot
cracked at Forty sixth street and Third
avenue. That shot was the signal for
a reign Of terror which for five days
filled the streets with bowling mobs
The man 1t killed was the first Of
hundreds who fell in the ensuing col
lisions between rioters on one side ana
police and soldiers on the other. New
York was n the throes of the draft
riots of 1868.
Speeches denunciatOry of the gov
eminent and compulsory military selY-
ice, the circulation of infiammatory
handbills urging resistance to the
draft, the organization of societies to
oppose it, activities of radicals melting
volence-all these were part of the OPP
position to CONSUMPTION in 1868 Men
of influence and recognized integrity
lent their sympathy and aid TO the anti
draft movement, though not to the Jaw
lessness attending it. The crisis devel-
oped suddenly. The drawing of names
was started unexpectedly on the morn
ing of Saturday, July II, There had
been little preparation, aside from the
preliminary enrolment some time he
fore. Up to the morning of the draft
the murmurings of complaint had been
pitched in key too low to alarm the
authorities. Even on the first day OF
the drawing certain apathy seemed
to hover over the throng that had as
sembled In little Office room at GA
Third avenue to witness the lottery.
The Draft Wheel.
On raised platform at one end of
the room had been placed "a great, hol-
low wheel, with crank by which it
might be turned. Into this boXlike re-
ceptace had been put thousands of lit
tie rolls of paper, each of which bore
name. At the appointed hour of 10
Charles III. Carpenter, a clerk, bare
beside the wheel. He was to draw the
names. Another clerk stood at the
wheel to turn it.
Four times the wheel whirled around.
The crowd was very still. Even the
rustic of the many bits of paper in the
big hollow box might be distinctly
heard. The wheel stopped and the
clerk drew back a sliding panel. Into
the wheel went Carpenters bare arm,
and out it came with tiny bit of pa
per clutched in his fingers. Charles L.
jenkins, provost marshal, took the pa
per from his hand and opened it, In
voice that vibrated tensely In the
stiffness he read the name:
william Jones, Forty-sixth street,
near Tenth avenue"
There was stir in the crowd, a
sound like a great sigh of relief from
hundred lips. Then came the reac-
ton. Some one laughed. A mans gruff
voice muttered, Poor Jones!' in tone
half plying, half sarcastic. The mood
of the crowd changed TO one of ironic
merriment.
How are you, Jones"
Good for you, Jones!'
First blood for Bill Jones! Smiths
next'
Crowd Comments Bitterly.
Into the wheel again went the bare
arm of Carpenter, and out it came
with the bit of paper, All morning and
far into the afternoon the work kept
up, while the crowd looked on, will
bitter comment. sarcastic bantering
but no show of violence. When at last
the drawing closed for the day 1,23t
names had been placed upon the list
of drafted men.
1t was during the following day
Sunday, that the spirit of the mob was
born. The morning newspapers ear
ried the complete list of those who hat
been drafted. All day little knots OF
angry men gathered on street corners
in alleyways or about the doors OF
their homes. protesting loudly and bit
terly against the conscription or nut
tering among themselves.
The city was i'll prepared for trouble
Only a short time before its forts and