The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-01-10

the State alone is unable to overcome the dis
turbance.
In the outbreak referred to, il we had been
without State force, and had been Obliged TO
wait until formal application could have been
made on the President and responded TO by
Federal troops, the strike would undoubtedly
have assumed much greater proportions. The
United States mail, of which there was large
quantity on delayed trains, would have been
longer detained; while the criminal and vicious,
who seem TO have made such disturbances an
occasion for pillage and plumber, would have
had greater opportunities TO enable them to do
damage.
While not prepared TO advise an increase of
the military force, do recommend the adop-
ton of measures to add to its efficiency. A
step in this direction has already been taken by
the Military Board in exchanging the firearms
heretofore used for the lates. pattern of Sharp's
breech-loading rifles, with which all Of the
regiments are now equipped.
This should be supplemented by the
purchase of haversacks, blankets and over
coats to be stored with the Quartermaster
General, and furnished TO the troops, from
time to time, for use when required 10y the de-
mands of the service.
Companies should be obliged TO have enrolled
the maximum number of able-bodied men, as
there are always some who cannot do duty at
call; they should have officers of experience,
hold regular meetings for drill, and be subject
TO frequent and careful inspection.
With well-organized regiments of this char
after, supported by the superior Calling gun
recently procured of the General Government
on the amount standing to the credit of this
State payable in arms, we may utilize our State
military SO that we shall have an efficient force
always at command TO assist the civil authori-
ties III suppressing outbreaks and maintaining
rder
The expense for the transportation, subsist-
and Of Tho Inns COLL ONT
during the strike amounted in the aggregate to
81, 65. The money in the military fund,
owing to the diversion of much OF II by the
Legislature i'll other directions, was found
wholly inadequate to meet these demands; con-
sequenty a considerable portion of the expense
incurred, including the payment of officers and
men, had to be deferred. Through the courtesy
of the Auditor General and State Treasurer, the
Military Board were permitted to realize an adj
vance on the appropriation, with which they
were enabled to pay of the troops aud discharge
such of their indebtedness as could not well be
delayed. The whole sum of the expense now
outstanding and unpaid is 81, 1872 ~.
Fer some time past 1t seems To have been the
policy of the Legislature to trench upon the
military fund and apply. portions of it TO OBJ
jects other than the legitimate expense of main
tanning military force for active duty.
portion of the fund is now devoted to support
ing, at Harper's Hospital and in the asylum at
Kalamazoo, indrm and insane soldiers enlisted
in the Union army i'll this State during the War
of the Rebellion; while another portion is re-
served, under a recent act of legislation, 10 pay
claims of non. commissioned officers and must
clans of the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Regi-
ments of Michigan Infantry for services at the
Camp of instruction at Fort Wayne III 1861.
If we are to maintain all efficient military force
IL Ii plain that the funds appropriated for the
purpose must not be diverted to other chan
nels. The subject of changing the law 80 that
the means of such fund shall not be as largely
absorbed for purposes not contemplated by the
original appropriation, is respectfully suggest
ed for your favorable consideration.
DEPARTMENT CLERKS.
j deem il my duty to call your attention 10 the
ntter want of uniformity in the system regulat-
ing the employment of clerks in the several de-
partments of the State Government The laws
applicable to some of the State offices limit the
number of clerks that may be employed there
in, in others the assent of the Executive or some
board is requisite to an increase of clerical
force, while in others the chief of the bureau
acts wholly upon his own discretion and en-
ploys as many as he sees fit TO. The position is
desirable one to many persons and Is eagerly
sought. The result is that great pressure is
brought to bear in behalf of applicants upon the
head OF department having the matter wholly
in his own hands, which tends constantly to an
enlargement of the force. The. number
Office at times during the year past
has ranged az high as ninety. | have the best
of reason to believe that a smaller service thor
oughly systematized would have accomplished
the same results. / recommend that provision
be made by law specifying the number of clerks
to be employed by the head of each department,
and providing that the limit shall not be ex-
ceeded save with the consent and approval of
the Board of Auditors.
BONDS OF STATE OFFICERS.
The moneys and moneyed securities on de-
post with the State Treasurer average daily
more than half million of dollars in amount.
The law provides that he shall give bond in the
sum of sl50,0OO. 1t will be perceived that this
limit is entirely insufficient to cover even one
third of the whole amount of moneys at any one
time in his hands.
/, therefore recommend that the security be
increased At certain seasons of the year a
large amount of funds are paid into the Offices
of the Auditor General and the Commissioner
of the State Land Office. Sometimes this money
comes in more rapidly than receipts can be
made to cover it into the treasury consequently
quite large sums remain for a brief period with |
these officers In view of this fact / suggest
for your consideration whether it is not advis- |
able to require from these officials bonds for the
faithful performance of their duties, and for |
the payment of such moneys into the treasury.
STATE TAX LANDS.
The amount of this class of lands, !. c. on |
which redemption has expired and the State |
acquired title, remaining unsold at the close |
of the sale III October, 1873, was So, $50 1868;
1877 was 81, S5f, 243 A., showing an increase of |
S4:S3 352 80. The sales during the year 1878, at |
the Auditor Generals and county Treasurers' |
officers, taken together, amounted TO s9s, 42l, |
showing an increase of sales in 1878 as COM |
pared with 1877 of SAC, 7233S.
1t will he seen that the State has acquired |
large amount Of lands of this character, and |
that they are constantly increasing Similar ac-
cumulations have occurred in former years and |
methods of relief have been devised by the |
Legislature. 1t is very important 10 the inter |
ests of the State that some provision be made
for the disposition of these lands.
The number of acres of land held by the
State September 80 1878, was 2, 737, sr'S 81. |
There has been sold during the two years past
}02, 800. 81 acres There has been collected in
cash and notes on account of trespasses on pub
lie lands 1854 o. at al expense of 90, 1863. 81
BONDS OF CERTAIN LOCALITIES.
1t has been brought to my knowledge that III
some instances localities issuing bonds have
failed to keep record of the same and that
confusion has resulted thereby. In some States
all local bonds are required to be registered
with a designated State officer before they are
delivered. This proceeding is said to give them
better standing and to thus facilitate their sale.
FEES OF OFFICERS.
II is complained that officers who are com
pensated wholly or partly by fees are, in many
instances, paid exorbitant rates, and that fire.
uuently their charges are excessive and above