Lincoln Tweaking the Enrollment Act

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OTD - June 8, 1864 President Lincoln forwards to Congress a communication from the Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton regarding the Enrollment Act, which instituted a military draft. Stanton suggested that Congress "repeal" the Act's "three hundred dollar clause," which allowed draftees to pay $300, in lieu of serving in the military. Stanton explained, "ample experience has now shown that the pecuniary exemption from service frustrates the object of the enrolment law, by furnishing money instead of men." Lincoln informs Congress that he "concur with Stanton's "recommendation."