The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-05-10
HOW GOVERNMENT
WILL DRAFT TROOPS
Polling Places Will BE Used TO Regis
ter all Men of Eligible Age


Washington, May 6--An official out
line Of the method by which military
registration is TO be carried out under
the selective conscription bill was
made public Saturday, with an appeal
from the war department for the vol
untary services of State election and
other officials in order that there VIII
be no delay in enrolling and classify
ing millions Of men for army duty.
Careful preparation has been made 70
place the whole task in the hands OF
civilian officials of the States and TO
remove every suggestion of military
force in putting the measure into ei-
feet. The only function Of the federal
government will be supervision
through the Office Of the provost mar
shall general. The departments state
ment follows:
There was a time in the countrys
history when military enumerators,
backed by bayonets, went out among
the people to take compulsory ser
vice census. Today under the prin-
ciple of universal liabilitay to service
the execution of the law is put into
the hands of the people.
The approval of the new national
army bill and the Presidents proclaim
alton Hereunder will be coincident.
All persons within the age limits pre-
scribed will be required to present
themselves for registration at the Gus
tomary voting places in the voting
precincts in which they have their per-
manent homes, on day which the
President will announce. The proba-
bility is, that from 10 to Is days will
elapse between approval OF the bill
and registration day.
The Governor of each State will be
the chief of registration therein. The
machinery of registration in each
county is to be in charge of the sheriff,
the county clerk, and the county ply
sician. acting ex-officio, unless diff
ferent board shall be announced by the
governor. In cities containing popula-
ton of more than 10000, the registra-
tion will be under the control Of the
MAYOR and selected boards of registra-
ton. In order that the designated
county and city officinis, and the
people generally, can get clear un-
derstanding of the census methods the
following brief outline is given.
The sheriffs or other designated Of
ficials, Immediately upon receiving
notice from the governor, shall ap-
point registrars for each voting pre-
cinct.
Apportionment of Registrars
The proportion of registrars shall
be one for each ITO persons to be reg
istered. Each age to be registered
will comprise about one per cent OF
the population. If, for instance, all
men between 19 and 25 years of age
inclusive, are to be registered, the reg
istrar would have to enroll about sew
en- per cent of the precinct population
| 1t is desirable to accept the services
of competent volunteer registrars tc
serve without compensation. All reg
istrars must be sworn.
The voting place in each precinct
must be prepared for registration
Full printed instructions covering
every detail of registration will be in
the hands Of sheriffs and mayors on
the fifth day after the Presidents
proclamation. s4
| In Cities of Over 10000
| The mayor of a city containing
more than 10000 inhabitants, or the
officials designated by the governor
therein, shall, with approval Of the
governor, appoint for each ward or
convenient minor subdivision contain
ing about 5000 people one registra-
ton board, and shall designate one Of
ficer of each board to perform duties
similar to those imposed on the sher-
iff, as heretofore outlined. II the
mayor desires, he may appoint a cen
trail board to coordinate the work of
minor boards.
Duties Of County Clerks, Etc.
On the fifth day after the President
has issued his proclamation clerks OF
counties and cities of over 10000 must
secure a supply Of blanks and copies
Of the registration regulations from
the sheriff or from the mayor. Alb
sentees and the sick will apply to such
clerks to have their registration cards
4 filled out. In no case shall such per
sons be given registration certificates.
They are to be instructed by the clerk
that the burden is on them TO see to II
that the cards reach the registrars OF
their home precincts by registration
day.
Absentees and the Sick