| Office of the Richmd, Fredbg, Potomac
Railroad Company |
| Richmond Sept 9th 1862 |
| |
| Hon R. M. T. Hunter |
| C. S. Senate |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| Enclosed I send you a proposed
addition or amendment to the Exemption Bill of the Senate, which I
hope may be acceptable to the Senate. It is substantially the same
with the Exemption Bill of the VA Legislature and makes no
exemption of anyone permanently, or longer detail for
special duty, than may be necessary for the interests of our Army
& Navy no less than for the Companies employing them, chiefly in
the Service of the Government. |
| It is impossible by any
designation of classes of employe's to avoid omitting some
persons, whose services may be just as necessary no less to the
Government than to the Companies, as are those of the classes
enumerated. The destruction by fire, floods or other casualty, or, as
in the case of this Company by the Enemy of its, bridges
buildings, machinery or other equipments may render at any time absolutely
necessary the temporary employment of an unusual number
& variety of mechanics & operatives, and the employment of
these or an extraordinary amount of work suddenly thrown on such a
Company by the wants of the Government and its Armies or Navy
inevitably necessitates the employment of additional clerical force. Experience
has already demonstrated not only the certainty of confusion &
disaster resulting from employing for such services inexperienced men
above or below the age for military service, fi they could be
obtained; but also the utter impossibility of obtaining them,
howsoever unfitted for such services. The drain made by the Army upon
the population of the country and the prospects of superior profits in
other occupations for those, who are not drafted, alone suffice to
place beyond the reach of these Companies persons fitted for these
subordinate offices, & not subject to military duty. Their number,
too, in all will be very limited and the absence from military service
of even these in many cases of brief duration. The interests of
these Companies require that thus should be so, and there is no reason
to impute to their chief officers less earnest patriotism, than is
felt by any other Citizen. |
| very respectfully & truly your obt.
sert. |
| P. V. Daniel Jr. Prest. |
| R. F. & P. R. Rd. Co. |
|