The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-06-11
OLD FORT MACKINAC.
Hon. Peter White Seeks to Have
II Re-EstabIished.
HIS MISSION WILL PROBABLY FAIL.

schensa-How Money Might be Realized
from the Island Lively Michigan POST
Office Fight Pronasaent Wolverines VINO
Were M the National Capital During the
Past Week.
Washington, June Hon. Peter
White Of Marquette has been here for
several days urging the Michigan sem
ators and representatives to undertake
congressional action looking to the re-
establishment of Fort Mackinac, which
has been decided to the United States
for garrison purposes. Authority for
this was granted by the legislature last
winter.
Peter White is enc of the most honor
able and respected citizens Of Michigan
end came here by authorityo of the Mack
mac park board. He has been exceed
ingly diplomatic but urgent, and I'M
doubtedly believes, as the park board
believes, that the continuance Of fort
on the island is a necessity
The army appropriation bill of the
Fifty-third congress made over Fort
Mackinac to the state of Michigan about
three years ago. At that time a syn
dictate was formed in Buffalo for the
purpose of purchasing the island for
private purposes. The Michigan sena-
tors, however, interviewed and secured
the park for the state, and so worded
the law that no private syndicate should
obtain possession.
No Strategic Necessity.
AS matter Of fact there is no strate-
gic necessity for the fort on the historic
island. The army posts at Chicago, De-
troit, and st. Marie have recently been
enlarged, and consequently the govern
ment decided to abandon Fort Mackinac
and the island.
The railroad and steamboat companies
want the fort re-established because it's
existence would have a tendency to in
crease the number of summer visitors
who use the transportation routes. 1t
happens that Senator Mcmillan is presi-
dent of steamboat company, but that
fact will not influence him in the matter.
He will not favor the re-establishment
of fort on the island, and consequent
ly it is likely that the mission of Peter
White will result in failure.
OF course Senator Mcmillan will have
the settlement of the matter, because he
is the senator from the eastern part of
the state and Senator Burrows will not
interfere. 1t is believed that Senator
Mcmillan has in view an object which
will ultimately result in the permanent
Identification of the island and the
maintenance Of its parks and roadways
by the national government.
The Purchase of Maokinac.
BY act of congress the battlefelds of
(attUcbIIrcr q nd Chio1y n f,oa cra 10 haaf1
purchased and are to be permanently
maintained. A bill is now pending to
purchase the battlefields about Vicks-
burg. The condition of the treasury
is such, however, that this bill is not
likely to be passed at the present time.
Senator Mcmillan has an idea that when
the condition Of the treasury is such as
to warrant it something should be done
to purchase one of the historic battle
fields of the war of 1912. and when that
time arrives the purchase Of Mackinac
will be considered, and will probably be
carried through.
In the meantime the ground rents on
Mackinac island can be increased in a
legitimate manner and the park and
roadway be maintained by the state of
Michigan. Some of the cottages on the
villa Sll0S lHtJG dIC NOIltl lIOlll plO,OOO
to $4,000 and instead Of paying
ground rent of $50 to $25 per annum
each CT them should bring a rent of
about 500 per year. With proper man.
agement il is believed that from $4,000
to $4,000 per annum might be realized
from ground rents and the park be thus
Useful as Well as Interesting.
The post and barracks might be made
useful as well as interesting by having
the state militia regiments sent there,
one after another, during the summer
season TO remain two or three weeks at
q time; and that will probably be the
outcome of the disposition Of
Mackinac island, posts, barracks, and
park
One of the liveliest postoffice fights
that has agitated the postoffice depart
ment for some time is being waged in
There are seven candidates
and each one of them is trying to DEM
onstrate TO the postmaster general that
the other six candidates are incompe-
tent. The term of the present incum-
bent will expire June 20, and in the
meantime it will devolve upon Senator
Mcmillan to name the man who shall be
appointed. 1t is pretty contest and
the senator is as yet unable to decide
who should receive his recommendation.
Michigan Visitors mt Washington.
Among the Michigan visitors here dur
ng the past week were Alex r. Avery
,f Port Huron, who confidently expects
70 be appointed collector of customs for
the Huron district; T.. p. Walden of
st. Johns, who Is interested in the post
office appointments of Clinton county.
lrd who was successful in securing the
ease for the ST. Johns postoffice; w.
Fl. Boyet and William X. Alden of
Grand Rapids; S. d. Mcintyre of Lans-
rg, c. T.. Burkhart of Adrain, A. A.
Raymond Of Detroit, the editor OF the
Mt Pleasant Enterprise, and Professor
Spenser OF the Indian school at MT.
Pleasant. Charles Wright of Detroit.
who is prominent candidate for collec-
Tor of internal revenue, was also here
md had short conference with Senator
Mcmillan.
Henry II. Huntington of Benton Har-
Dor, Edgar o. Shaw of Newaygo and
Ramsey Arthur of Schoolcraft were
among the presidential postmasters an
pointed during the week.
Mrs. r. A. Alger has returned 10 De-
ri 20 IL -