The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-03-25
WASHINGTON NOTES.
President Garfield has appointed j.
Stanley Brown his Private Secretary.

President Garfield has appointed j.
Stanley Brown his Private Secretary.
st. Patrick's day was celebrated more
quietly than usual this year, both in this coun-
try and in Ireland. In the United States it
took the form Of Land League meetings and
banquets.
At the request of provision shippers
in Chicago and New York, Secretary Blaine has
instructed the American Ministers at Paris and
London to insist upon the admission of all
meats shipped prior to the edict against pork.
Secretary Lincoln has appointed Mr..
Charles S. Sweet, of Chicago, as his private
secretary. Mr.. Sweet has entered upon his
Cuties. He has been in Mr.. Lincolns law
Office in Chicago for the past five years.
A Washington dispatch states that the
investigation which led to the exposure of the
alleged land swndle in Missouri and the arrest
other alleged land swindlers in Cleveland and
Pittsburgh, was instigated by letter received
by Secretary Schurz more than a year ago.
This letter stated that Lindsay, whose father
had once been in charge of the land Office at
Ironton, NO., had in his possession one or
two boxes filled with United States land patents,
which were certainly genuine although Lind
say might have obtained them by questionable
means. The writer of the letter alleged that
Lindsay kept these boxes concealed, and had
queer dealings with queer people. The
writer, who professed to be a friend of Sec
rotary Schurz, suggested, in conclusion, it
might be well to look into the matter. The
Secretary secured Special Agent d. P. Terrell,
of the Treasury Department, to investigate
the matter. The result was the arrest of Lind
say and several other persons. 1t is believed
at the Land Office the ring have obtained
fraudulent land titles to more than 100000
acres of the public lands, most of which they
have sold to innocent settlers, who therefore
ave no valid title TO the land they occupy.
In an interview with Western Sena-
tor and several gentlemen from Salt Lake, Pres
ident Garfield gave free expression to his con-
victions relative to Mormonism and polygamy
He said polygamy in Utah was a foul blot on
the nations escutcheon, which should be
speedily obliterated that no hoped Congress
would take early action to place the vile insti-
tuition Of polygamy in course of extinction
that any judicious measures adopted looking to
that end by the legislative branch of the Gov
ernment would secure his hearty approval
Since Secretary WINDOWS decision as
TO the withdrawal Of national-bank circulation,
S3,6i7,OOO has been redeposted by frightened
banks, and s52S, 500 in new notes taken out by
others.
AS a preliminary step in the war
against polygamy, bill will be introduced in
the next Congress l.. change the form OF gov
eminent in Utah. 1t is proposed to place the
administration OF affairs in the hands OF seven
Commissioners, to be appointed by the Presi-
dent, and continue in Office during his pleasure.
II il thought the evil can be reached in this
way more readily than under the existing form.
The law DISTINGUISHING polygamists, malo and
female, viii also be passed.