The true northerner., 1898-07-27

Michigan Regiments at the Front-In-
teresting Washington Letter.
Washington, July 26-Praises are
heard on every hand for Michigans
soldier leader. the brave Shafter. who
captured Santiago. General Miles, the
senior major general of the army, was
present, and his telegram 10 the secre-
tary OF war gave Shafter all praise for
the magnificent victory.
Secretary OF War Alger says: II am
especially delighted with Skaters sue
cess, because l 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 and was
deemed TO be the best man for the work
But because he was a Michigan soldier
/ have been accused of favoritism.
will be glad if you will say TO the peo-
pie Of Michigan that there was no ia
voritsm about il at all. but that Shaft
er has gained his prominence by his
own military ability. skill and expert
ence.
Secretary Ayers private secretary,
Mason. is very popular with newspaper
men here. He is on duty d&yand night,
sometimes remaining al 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 inform nation as he can,
but of course he does not give them
confidential telegrams He is now
member of the Michigan association
and is popular with that org IN zatiOn.
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 malaria fever. Finally the dis
ease turned into mid symptoms of ye-
low fever, and then he was is.lated, 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 Chickdmauga Park, but
will soon be with the Thirty
regiment al Tampa, where the Fourth
corps rendezvous is established.
Three Michigan congressman have
never called upon the cerk i'm charge
of postoffices for Mich gan in the post
office department. They are Congress
men Corliss William Alden Smith and
Mesick. Senator Mcmillan has never
called at the department at this par
ticular desk, but his private secretary.
Charles Moore. atten4s To all of that
business for him. Senator Burrows
goes to the clerk I'm charge f Michigan
postohices 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 postolIices for almost a score
OF years, and he knows the state more
intimately than many of our people
who have been living al 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:
in Michigan does not now reach such
proportions as ii did ten years ago.
There are upwards Of 1000 postoffices
in Michigan, with salaries varying from
SO Ia $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
tion OF the congressman the offices are
established. Every new postofiice nee
essitates the extension Of star route
Nearly all of the presidential post
offices have been filed and all of the
fourth-class pcstofliCes have been
filled with Republicans as terms have
expired. The four year rule seems to
be a settled rule now. II does not
meet with the approval Of the politicians
nor Of the applicants for appointment,
but il simpiies the work Of this de-
partment very much
An Energetic Worker.
In reply 10 an inquiry n sa d: Con
gresham Sam w SIN tn 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?"
II is rumored here that a Michigan
man has been selected for the position
of Superintendent of the census, but
it has been impossible to find out who
IL is 10 be. The president will not be
able to make the appointment until De-
cember, because the appropriation is
not now available. But ne 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 1000 an
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-five from Michigan.
Get after your congressman at once