The substitute trade.
A few days ago we alluded to the immense frauds and villainy being carried on in this city in buying and selling substitutes by men who make a regular business of the nefarious trade.
Although frequently spoken of and condemned by this paper and others, the evil still continues, and, if anything, is rather on the increase.
It should be put a stop to by the authorities, and some of the swindlers, both the men who furnish them, and the substitutes themselves, who sell their service with the deliberate intention of deserting as soon as the purchase money is safely in their pockets, summarily punished.
Too strong terms cannot be used in condemnation of this pernicious practice.
It has a bad influence upon the army, for it these rascals can elude the service, and desert when they please without being punished, why cannot other do the same?
Another case has come to our knowledge.
A few days ago a man by the name of Levasseur went to the 3d Alabama regiment and bargained to furnish a substitute for a man then in service.
The price fixed upon was $00 the dealer in substitutes receiving $300 for his services.
The man's name was
Byrnes who came with a certificate from the
British Consul and recommendations from others; but as soon as the bargain was concluded, the substitute absconded, returning, probably, to the person who originally brought him to be sold over to other parties.
With in the last three weeks seven men from this one regiment alone have been purchased, all of whom have since deserted.
Such conduct is no more or less than stealing, and it is time due check should be put upon such operations by the police.
The
morate of such conduct is bad, and, if allowed to go on, our army will be reduced very materially.
