The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-04-16
NAY ENLARGE
fORT AT 500
Rep. Bayliss Asks That Post lie
N Made Regimental Head
quarters
From a star Correspondent.

I. LANSING, Mich. April 1.-THE
Bayliss resolution relative 10 Fort
Brady passed by both houses OF the
legislature last week is a protest to
the war department against the am
nounced intention OF dismantling one
OF the country's Oldest frontier ports.
Fort Brady. in Saut Ste Marie, was
first built in 1922. Early accounts
OF II tell of many encounters between
tile soldiers and warlike natives, and
OF hiw the green which in a more
pretentions establishment would be
the parade grounds, became an Indian
village at started times each year
VIXEN the redskins came for fishing.
There they held their medicine dances
dog sacrifices and sometimes war
dances with real bloody scalps
mot only is 1t place OF historic
Interest" said Rep. Bayliss in COM
ment Of his resolution, but ii is the
most healthful army station OF the
country. It's maintenance would be a
safeguard to the government invest
ment of something like Sl6,000,0O0 in
the locks of the 500.
IF any international trouble should
occur, II wouldn't take an enemy more
than few minutes to do millions or
dollars worth OF damage there The
post itself too represents an invest
ment OF about s250,0O0"
In contrast with the argument or
protection for the locks advanced FOR
the retention OF the fort is the fact
that at one time il was the cause OF
Is years delay in the building OF the
Ira .ot hn h.. hng
OF grievance OF the state against the
federal government which came near
developing into threats OF secession.
The trouble arose by the legislature
OF 1889 letting contracts for canal
which would destroy q millrace be-
longing to the fort. When workmen
offered 10 disturb the government
property. the soldiers drove them
away at the point OF bayonet anu
their labors had 10 be abandoned
Feeling aroused by the alleged out
rage ran high in the next legislature
which following on denunciatory re-
port OF a special committee adopted a
resolution in part as follows. BE II
resolved by the senate and house OF
representatives OF the state OF Michi-
gan that ii is the sense OF this legis-
lature that the proceedings OF the gov
eminent of the United States at the
Sault de Ste Marie on the day of May
II, 1889. by which the contractors and
hands at work on the canal at that
place were forcibly driven from the
same and compelled TO abandon fur
Their construction, were unwarranted
by the constitution OF the United
States and gross violation OF the
rights and sovereignty OF the state or
Michigan"
Then followed a preemptory de-
mand for the payment OF money TO
replace that paid out to contractors
on the proposed canal together with
all damages sustained by the state.
Congress made no answer TO the pro-
test.
Fort Brady was at that time looked
upon as an outpost in the wilderness,
beyond the range Of legitimate inter
nal improvements. This Is shown III
congressional debate of 1870
Failing 10 gain by demanding what
II wanted the Michigan Legislature
petitioned congress to cooperate in
the building OF canal by making a
grant OF 100000 acres OF land. The
petition was turned down. One or
those who opposed IL was Henry Clay
who argued the proposed improve
ment was work beyond the re-
hottest settlement Of the United
States II not in the moon"
The congress Of 1852, however, not
only consented TO a canal across the
Tort property but made a grant OF
10000 acres OF land to help pay for
II. 1t was completed In 1855 In 1881
the canal went under the control OF
the government and later the fort was
moved back on the hill 10 its present
position SO that the two became en-
tirely separate.
The Bayliss resolution asks that the
post be not only maintained but en-
larged into a regimental post. Here
tofore only battalion has been sta.
toned there. SCOTT.