The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-10-04
Draft Laws in Colonial Days; Resorted
in French, Indian Wars and Revolution

This is not the first time New York
has witnessed the operation of a COM
Ipulsory military service law, writes
George w. Edward, Phi. d. Selective
drafting, with exemptions for persons
engaged in industries vital to military
needs. was conducted during both the
French and Indian war and the revo-
luton. In 1855, at the outbreak of the
final intercolonial conflict between
English and French colonies for mas
4 terry of North America; the need of
men for defending New York City and
for attacking Canada was acute.
Soon after hostilities opened the
legislature of New York passed a mil
itary statute similar in many features
to the selective draft law Of last May
During the Revolutionary war, when
the colonists were no longer fighting
on the side of the mother country but
against her, the ranks of the New
York militia were again filed by re-
colonial newspapers and the pages of
the old laws dealing with the draft re.
veal situations strikingly similar to
the present one.
Old Statutes More Rigorous.
In some respects the old statutes
were far more rigorous than the pres
ent law. because they applied to all
able bodied males between Is and so.
~ ~ CI nly nrSp
caught leaving the city when it was
threatened by attack they We're sum-
marily' lined up before firing squad.
Problems of exemption proved as
troublesome in the early days as now.
Should schoolmasters be discharged
from military service? was question
which aroused considerable discus
sion. The individuals directly con-
cerned naturally answered in the af-
firmative, and claimed that previous
laws had freed them from such obli-
cations. But presidents failed to con-
vince the government officers, who fin
ally ruled that such class exemptions,
to quote their words "were very un-
reasonable" and consequently peda-
gogues were forced to serve.
Not long ago the evening newspap-
ers contained a statement from Pro-
vost Marshal General Crowder that
conscripts whose religious beliefs for
bade their shedding blood would be as
signed to duties as non -conbatants.
In like manner Quakers, the conscien-
tious DIRECTORS of colonial times We're
not obliged to take up arms, but in !
stead were ordered by the law to zap
pear provided with one good spade,
iron shod shovel and pickax, and six
empty bags, each bag sufficient to con-
tain two bushels, and to serve as pio-
neers or laborers."
The question also arose whether the
New York militia should be ordered
for service on foreign soil. An expe-
dictionary force against Quebec was
urged by James de Lancey, lieutenant
governor of New York, and he ex-
pressed his views in a forceful mes
sage to the legislature.
Unhanrpered by Filibusterers.
Convinced of the need of an ag-
gressive war policy, the New York as
sembly. unhampered by any filibuster-
ers, quickly passed an act raising $3.50 |
men who were to cooperate with the
forces from neighboring colonies for
an invasion of Canada.
Tho yaripuc counties nf Tho oolory
were expected to furnish the follow
ing quotas Duchess, 2S9; Ulster,
22S; Orange, 146; Suffolk, $780, AL
bany, 516 Westchester, 395; Kings, So;
Queens. 200; Richmond, So; New York
312. The remarkably low number re-
CURED of Kings county seems to in
dictate that Kings was fortunate in
having able politicians in the New
York Legislature in colonial days. We
must also remember that although
New York city in that period included
only New York county or Manhattan
island, it's population amounted to
about 20 per cent of the entire prov
inee. We can see therefore that the
residents of the metropolis had no
reason to complain of the apportion-
ment. for they were called upon to
supply quota of only a little more
than 10 per cent.
But despite this Partially the draft
aw was not received with enthusiasm
oy some New Workers of military age. |
local newspaper reports that it in !
imated many of the young people in
80 much that many of these have alb
seconded lest they should be detached
md obliged to serve contrary to their /
nclinations," In fact, the exodus of 9
males became so alarm q
ng that the government ordered the
aptains of the militia to conduct a i
louise to house search for all such per- g
ons who were trying to evade SER /,
ice. n
Strikers Had Hard Row. s
However, shirkers were also to be
ound in neighboring colonies. Quite
number of these sought to dodge n
uty by running away from their lf
ONES and by taking up residence in n
lew York. But all their efforts were c,
oomed to disappointment, If we may
elieve the following newspaper ac- u
ount from New Haven, Conn, under Il