A rumor has reached me that the Department of Justice intends to indict Capt. J. J. Laughinghouse, at one time Chairman of the Local Exemption Board of Pitt County, for obstructing the draft law.

I know practically all there is to know about this case. I know that Capt. Laughinghouse was arbitrary, indiscreet and, unconsciously, partisan. He is a nervous, high-tempered man, largely controlled by his impulses. On account of these things I got him to resign as a member of the Local Exemption Board, thinking that this would be best for the good of the service.

I am profoundly convinced, however, that Capt. Laughinghouse did not do anything that he believed was wrong, but that on the other hand he had a fierce conviction that he was doing right every time. I am profoundly convinced that upon the record no jury would find Capt. Laughinghouse guilty of any intentional wrong doing, and I am writing to you, not because I apprehend that he will be convicted, but for the reasons stated in the succeeding paragraph of this letter.

Capt. Laughinghouse is an old Confederate soldier, over seventy years of age, and as brave a man as ever toted a gun. It was because of his magnificent record as a soldier that I at first named him as a member of the Local Board. His patriotism and his courage have never been questioned in this State. Some time ago he had a stroke of paralysis and is now in feeble health. His wife is also in feeble health, and his only son is a Major in the United States service in France. I greatly fear that to have him indicted and and hauled up into court might result in his death. I do not for one moment believe that the public justice requires that this old man should be subjected to this humiliation, and to this risk of his life and possibly the life of his wife.

For these reasons I ask you, in the exercise of your discretion, to stop this proceeding, if such a proceeding has been ordered.