If you could be here in the office with me for a few days you would appreciate how the Governor is compelled to feed friend and foe out of the same spoon. Just as I had nothing to do with the matters for which I was criticised in your community last year, I can have nothing to do with your case. Personally, I should be glad to serve you in any way, but in my official capacity it would be improper for me to express any opinion in your case. The members of the Local Board are charged, under their oaths, with the duty of enforcing the law with equal and exact justice to all, and with special privileges to none. If you have been improperly classified by the Board, you have the right to appeal to the District Board at Goldsboro, and back up your appeal with affidavits submitted to the Local Board, and by it forwarded to the District Board.

If you should be deferred on account of physical defect you can appeal to the Medical Advisory Board of your district. Of course, that question is one for the doctors to determine, and three sets of doctors pass on it.

First, the doctor of the Local Board,
Second, upon your appeal, the doctors of the Medical Advisory Board,
Third, the doctors in the military camp to which you are sent.

The Government cannot use a man unless he is sound in every way, and the doctors are all advised about this. At present the law permits no volunteers except by consent of the Local Board.

I regret not to be able to be of any more service to you in this matter, but I am just as much bound by the law as you are.