The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-01-15

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constitutionality aud validity OF the act.
Deeming the case of great Importance to the
State, Involving large amount of money
and knowing that able counsel would present
the case on the part OF the compliments,
advised and directed the employment of
Messrs Charles A. Kent, 4. w. Meddaugh,
Alfred Russell, and Charles Epson, as couns Of
to assist the Attorney General
The case WAS argued in Detroit, before
Judges Emmons and LOngyear. Judge EN-
mons delivered an elaborate opinion, which
was concurred in by Judge Longyear, sustain
ing the validity Of the act subjecting such
lands TO taxation. The companants have
appealed the case to the Supreme Court of
the United States, where 1t ID now pending,
and the question ia Of such moment to the
State, and to the counties in which these lands
are situated that have deemed it my duty
TO employ counsel to defend the suit there
also. The State has joined with the railroad
companies in requesting the court to advance
it on the docket, 30 that it may be heard dur
ing the present session of the court.
ATToRNEY-aENERAL's DEPARTMENT.
| desire 10 call your attention to the very
able and full report of the late Attorney-Gen-
eral. 1t gives clear statement Of the bust
ness of that Office, and of the condition OF all
the legal matters in which the State is party.
The recommendations Of the report regard
ing needed amendments to the statutes
deserve your careful attention, especially
those regarding 1.-THE misappropriatlon of
pnblic moneys" "imprisouing witnesses in
criminal cases, and the insurance laws"
The Johr claim ia finally closed.
The long-standing unsettled accounts OF the
Supreme Court reporters have been salts
factorily adjusted.
FISH CULTURE
The Fish Commission. established by the
Legislature in 1873 was organized in May of
81. - .s.,N.s. e
Clark of Wayne, and George III. Jerome, of
Berrien. as Commissioners.
Mr.. Jerome resigned in 1874. A. j. KEEL
logg, of Allegan, was selected to fill the vacau-
cy, and Mr.. Jerome was appointed Superin-
tendent of Fisheries. The expenditures OF
the board from it's organization to Dec. l,
1872. have been S9.313.05, of which sum
$6,6S7. 81 Is invested in buildings and fixtures
at the State Hatchery in Pokagon, leaving as
the real expenditure in Matching and dstrib-
uting 100000 fry the sum of S6,G25. IA.
The success attending this work thus far Is
sufficient proof that fish culture in Michigan
is no longer an experiment. continuance
Of the appropriation Of 81, 10000 per annum
is suggested by the board as necessary to
carry on the work There can te no doubt
that in veryfew years the returns from this
expenditure will prove it a wise and prudent
investment
The report of the Board of Commissioners
10 very full and complete, giving in detail an
account Of their labors, and ask for it your
thoughtful attention.
MILITARY.
The Military law OF 1862 wss, at the last
regular session of the Legislature, carefully
amended with the intention Of placing the
military Of the State upon more substantial
footing, On the 30th of September, 1872. the
entire militia of the State consisted of nine
companies of State troops, with q strength Of
ahn hat ina
panies have been added, increasing the num-
Der to 1920. Under the law, tho Commander
in-Chef was authorized to increase the num-
Der 10 twelve during the year 1873, and to
add four each year till the number should
reach twenty-four. On the 9th Of July last.
sixteen companies had been accepted and
mustered into the State service, and were on
that date formed into two regiments. des-
ignated the LIST and 3D. Headquarters of the
former at Jackson tho latter at Grand Rapids
Under authority Of the law, the Military
Board have prepared rules and regulations to
aid III making it effective, system Of COM
pany and regimental accountability has been
adopted, and enlistments, musters. inspec-
tions and uniform discipline have been pro-
vided for, and will be rigidly enforced
On the 9th of September, 1873, the Grand
Rapids Guard " was ordered to Muskegon.
upon the requieitiou OF the Sheriff OF that
county, to prevent threatened release and
VI u pIlbOICI.
March 26th last, the "Grand Rapids
Guard" upon call Of the Sheriff, was
ordered to Gowan, Montcalm county, to assist
~ quelling an expected riot at that point.
On the Esd Of last July q battalion, consist
ing Of companies "a" and &C, 1stregiment,
was ordered to Ishpeming in Marquette
county, to aid in Expressing an expected dis
turbance among tho miners in that vicinity
AS the expense OF sending troops such q
distance would TO necessarily large, the ut
most precauton was taken TO ascertain the
exact condition OF affaits and the order was
not given until repeated inquiries were made
Of prominent citizens Of the county, and tele-
grams received urging that troops be sent az
once, as the destruction OF life and property
seemed imminent, and second peremptoTy
call for aid had been received from the Sher-
if OF The county. The statutes leave no dis
erection with the Commander in Chief to with
hold troops when called upon by the proper
officers for them.
Section 875 OF Compiled Laws provides that
the compression of troops on such occasions
shall be paid by the county whore such SER
vice is rendered. Accordingly bills were cent
by the officer commanding tho troops to the
Board Of Supervisors of Marquette county,
but they have refused to audit or pay them
Under the present law the State authorities
seem powerless to compel the payment.
respectfully ask that this defect be remedied.
Act No 81 of 1873 provided for the transfer
of insane inmates Of tho Soldiers Home at
Detroit or OF county iails III the State, who
had been soldiers or mariners and credited to
the State and all such soldiers or mariners
who might thereafter become insane. to the
asylum at Kalamazoo. Fifteen have been or
dered admitted, one has escaped, one died
before reaching there, leaving thirteen in the
asylum at the expense Of the State. Effor,
has been made to give publicity to the act
and it is believed that all entitled to lis bene.
| fits have been cared for.
Disbursements mado by the Quarterruaster
General for the two years ending Sept. 80
| 1874, have been az follows:
Adiutant- Generals Office ........s.....$ 2,9i4 p
QuartermasterGe office. .......... 1888 o.
Quartermaster-General sundry accounts. IA, 900 81
INSPECTOR Generals office. 81 n
State Military Board. .................... 26G Il
Insene soldiers .......... ............... 629 A.
| Regimental headquarters. ....... 80 U
State uniforms OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 29,ol2
$5O,6s5 8
The last item was for 200 suits OF uniform
complete. IA there will only be eight com
panies to uniform and equip in the ensuing
two years, the military expenses will be large
| ly diminished for the future
| The Soldiers Home at Harper Hospita
still continues necessity for the temporar
| relief of disabled soldiers, and it is also in
dispensable as an intermediate place of shell
ter for many while waiting TO obtain admis
sion to national asylum. The number o
| soldiers cared for at the Home during tin