The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-07-29
PRAISE FOR SKATER.
Good Work Done by -Michigan's
Soldier Leader.
ALGER ESPECIALLY DELIGHTED.

Michigan Regiments at the Front-In-
teresting Washington Letter.
Washington, July 26.-Praises are
heard on every hand for Michigan's
soldier leader the brave Shafter, who
captured Santiago. General Miles, the
senior major general of the army was
present, and his telegram to the secre-
tary of war gave Shafter all praise for
the magnificent victory.
Secretary of War Alger says IT am
especially delighted with Skaters sue
cess, because I have been personally
subjected to a great deal Of severe crit
icism on his account. Shafter was sent
to the front by order of the president
because he was a good soldier ard was
deemed to be the best man for the work.
But because he was Michigan soldier
I have been accused of favoritism. 1
will be glad If you will say to the peo-
pie of Michigan that there was no ia
voritism about it at all, but that Shaft
er has gained his prominence by his
own military ability, skill and experi-
ence.
Secretary Alger's private secretary,
Mason, is very popular with newspaper
men here. He is on duty day and night,
sometimes remaining at the war de-
partment as late as o'clock in the
morning. awaiting kilograms from the
front. He gives to the waiting news
paper men such information as he can,
but of course he does not give them
confidential kilograms. He Is now
member of the Michigan association
and Is popular with that organization.
Thirty-thiId and Thirty-fourth Michigan.
Only two Michigan regiments are at
the front, the Thirty-third and Thirty
fourth. They are with the Fifth corps,
under Skaters command, and they
have received their baptism of fire.
General Duffield has been seriously i'll
with malarial fever. Finally the dis
ease turned into mild symptoms of yell
low fever, and then he was isolated, so
that his contagion could not spread.
He Is a powerful man, physically. and
was the last one in the command whom
any one would have supposed would
succumb to climatic influences.
The Thirty-first infantry is with the
First corps at Chickamauga Park, but
will soon be with the Thirty-second
regiment at Tampa, where the Fourth
corps rendezvous Is established.
Three Michigan congressman have
never called upon the clerk in charge
office department. They are Congress-
men Corliss, William Alden Smith and
Mesick. Senator Mcmillan has never
~ he % ~
ticular desk, but his private secretary,
Charles Moore, attends to all of that
business for him. Senator Burrows
goes to the clerk In charge Of Michigan
postoffices, sits down beside him, ex-
plains pending cases and secures ap-
pointments.
Knows All the County Lines.
Lee Mortimer has been in charge of
Michigan postoffices for almost a score
of years, and he knows the state more
intimately than many of our people
who have been living at home all these
years. The map of Michigan is con-
stantly before him. He knows all Of
the county lines, the township lines,
the roads. the star routes, and the
topography Of the country. Today he
said:
1.-THE establishment Of new postoffices
in Michigan does not now reach such
proportions as 1t did ten years ago.
There are upwards of 1000 postoffices
in Michigan, with salaries varying from
S. to $4,000 per annum. There are now
practically enough offices to meet with
the requirements Of the people. But in
the Upper Peninsula as communities
develop. applications are made for new
postoffices, and upon the recommended
ton Of the congressman the offices are
established. Every new postoffice nee
essitates the extension Of a star route.
Nearly all of the presidential post
offices have been filled and all of the
postoffices have been
filled with Republicans as terms have
expired. The four year rule seems to
be a settled rule now. 1t does not
meet with the approval Of the politicians
nor Of the applicants for appointment,
but 1t simpliies the work Of this de-
partment very much"
An Energetic Worker.
In reply to an inquiry he said: Con
gresham Sam w. Smith is an energetic
worker for his people. He comes here
quite often and explains pending cases
to me with great earnestness and
clearness. He reminds me somewhat
of a man from Ohio who used to visit
the room adjoining mine several years
ago, to look after his postoffice bust
ness. He was always very earnest in
everything he did. and was always
careful to see that justice was done in
each case. He was an Ohio congress-
man, and his name was William Nc
Kinley. Did you ever hear Of him?"
It IL rumored here that Michigan
man has been selected for the position
of Superintendent of the census, but
1t has been impossible to find out who
1t is to be. The president will not be
able to make the appointment until De-
cember, because the appropriation is
not now available. But he has selected
the man, and Senator Mcmillan knows
who the lucky fellow is.
There were upwards of $500 clerks
appointed for the work of the last CEN
sus, and there will be fully 5000 ap-
pointed for the present census. They
will not be civil service appointments,
and so here Is a chance for the Office
seekers who are still on the anxious
bench.
Seventy from Michigan.
Get after your congressman at once
l. L..