The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-11-08

Prescription entries. 20, ~
Mineral entries .........'..''''.'''''' 2i' 90
Homestead entries. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS l7l,slt
Timber-culture entries ,llO,95o
Entries with military bounty land war
Entries with land claim scrip. ......... 1O,50S
Total number of entries and filings posted
during the year 25l ,665, aggregatinR 3O,OOO-
900 acres. The increase In number OF claims
recorded In 1883 was 80, 54S over the year 1852.
The Commissioner states that he is satisfied
the presumption filings are made or pro-
cured to be made TO great extent for
speculative purposes. He renews the recon-
mendation that the Presumption law he re-
pealed. The report recommends the amend
ment of the Homestead laws, requiring a
period of not less than six months
after the settlement of Il claim has been
placed on record before final proof shall be
admitted, irrespective of the alleged umo or
residence prior 10 the entry. The report
further recommends the total repeal OF the
its inherent defects. The cOnstruc-
ton Of 1,2l0 miles of Immigrant railroad
was reported during the year, makinga total
of 17,449 miles Of road reported as construct
ed under all grants TO June 30, 1883. The
Commissioner asks that his salary be fixed at
$4,000 and for a moderate increase OF the
salaries of the principal officers and clerks of
his department. The character and respon-
sibility of the Office, together with the fact
that its business has increased S2 per cent
since 1881, appears TO the Commissioner 10
justify this request.
FOREIGN MAILS.
The Postmaster General has received the
annual report of Judge Blackfan, Superin-
tendent Of Foreign Mails. The total weight
of mails dispatched TO countries in the Postal
union, with the exception Of Canada, was
2,532, 900 pounds, an increase OF 32s, IA
pounds over the weight last year. Or the
letter mail dispatched, Al per cent. was sent
TO Great Britain and ireland, % to Ger
many, ~ to other countries OF Europe,
and per cent. TO Postal union
countries and colonies outside OF Europe.
The amountsof letter mail dispatched last
year increased II per cent. over the amount
sent in 1850. The printed matter increased "A
per cent in the same time. The sum PAID
for sea transportation of mails was S3l6,522,
an increase over the cost OF 1882 OF $4,000,
or So per cent. over 1850. The estimated
amount of postage collected in the United
States on foreign mail matter was S2,O1S,sl3
GEN. sHERMAN's FINAL REPORT.
The last annual report of Gen. Sherman 10
In the hands of the Secretary of War. The
army consists of ., l43 officers and 23,335 men
the figures being almost identical with those
of last year.
Gen. Sherman considers Crooks Apache
campaign success.
Military education is treated at some
length, and the opinion expressed that the
Military academy at West Point and the
schools at Fortress Monroe and Lcavenworth
arc among the best in the world.
The Indians are regarded as substantially
eliminated from the problem of the army.
The railroad which used 10 follow in the rear,
and now goes forward with the picket-lnc III
the great battle of civilization with barbar-
ism, has had a great influence. The recent
completion OF the last of four great trans
continental lines of railway has settled for
ever the Indian question, the army question,
and many others which have hitherto
troubled the country. The recommends
ton of last year is renewed that the
strongest posts be enlarged and the
minor places abandoned. Tit sol
der" says Gen. Sherman, "must
be treated as n fellow-man. Let him live In
comfort, and he will respond to the call OF
duty, even to death. When the soldier is en-
ployed as Il carpenter, mechanic or laborer
il is only fair that he should be paid for such
labor" The opinion is expressed that II vii
be found wise TO provide Il common organiza
ton for all such arms of the service, and
that Congress should provide for the transfer
of regiments from remote 10 home sections
after fair period of service. In this con
nection particular attention il called to the
case Of the Twcntyfirst infantry, which ha:
been on the Pacific coast for fourteen years
GEN. DRUMS REPORT.
Adjt. Gen. Drum has submitted his an
nual report. He says the State militia has
steadily improved in discipline, soldierly
bearing and knowledge He recommends the
retirement on full pay Of men who have
faithfully served thirty-five years. Ii is sug
gested that increased pay for rc-enlisting bt
made TO depend on immediate re-cnlistment
in the same regiment, and that the man re
cnlisting be granted n furlough of one, two
of three months, according To the number Of
terms he has already served. bi-monthly
settlement OF the clothing accounts is recon-
mended and statement made in this con
nection that the Government lost $4,000 las
year in clothing overdrawn 10y deserters
Notwithstanding great efforts to fill the army
TO the authorized strength, it still lacks =, Ia!
men of the full quota.