The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1885-07-09
Feeding an Army.

For many years prior to the Mexican
war, writes a New York correspondent
to The Albanu journal, a purchasing
commissary for the United States army
was stationed at New York city. The
extent of the depot and the amount OF
supplies there obtained were very
limited for some time in consequence
of the small size of the army. 1t was
not until the commencement of the
rebellion in 1861 that the labors of this
depot reached increased magnitude
and great proportions. With over a
million of men in the field to be SUBJ
sisted, a very great quantity of the
articles of the ration-meats, flour,
hard bread, sugar, coffee, teas, salt
etc.-necessary for many of them,
were obtained in this city. Not unusal-
ly cargo after cargo of coffee was pur-
chased for the troops. At several times
during the war special purchases of this
article were obtained abroad, as it
could be so procured more economI-
cally for the army. Under the nan
agement of then colonel, afterward
Brig. Gen. A. B. Eaton, commissary
general of subsistence, United States
army, the purchases were very ex-
tensive. Col. Eaton had a corps of
experts, well traIned,-some of the
best merchants in the city,-as inspec-
tors and adjustors, and secured for the
government the best articles which
could be purchased at the lowest
prices. A rigid fulfllment of all con
tracts was eXacted and made under
the safeguards his experienced fore
sight had placed around him.
To the purchase of the soldiers ra-
tions, some years since, was added the
procurement of over one hundred
articles for his comfort and conven-
fence and that of the officers of the
army and their families at military
post, all disposed of to them at first
cost. There are few posts in the army,
in any locality, that will not show
some supplies procured by the sub
sistence officer in New York city, and
some of them many of the important
articles which those stationed there
receive. Under a recent act of con-
gress, all supplies must be advertised
for, except in very extreme emergency
cases. This opened competition to all,
and upon the purchasing officers is i'm
posed the duty of selecting from the
numerous bidders and their samples
the articles at the lowest price-quali-
ty and condition considered. An ex-
tensige knowledge of all such articles
should be possessed by officers of the
subsistence department, and many
have from long experience and %associa-i
ton with the sOldier-knOw1ng his
wants-close observation and study,
qualified themselves for these trying
and responsible positions. Some have,
a speciality of certain articles, and are,
well and thoroughly skilled therein.
Upon the receipt of the order for
upplies, public proposals are sent out.
If the stock held on hand by the depot
officer will not permit the order to be
filled from it. Such quantities are ac-
copied as are required, after a;
thorough comparison with the sample
submitted. These articles are trans
ferred to the quartermaster's depart
ment for transportation to the posts
desiring them. All bids are required
to be carefully distracted, and even
the envelopes in which they are re-
ceived sent with them to the subsis-
tence bureau in Washington. ID. c..
for examination and supervision. No
act of the most unimportent character
a be done without a thorough know
ledge of it by the revising authorities.
At the end of each month every article
purchased, its mode of procurement,
its price, quantity obtained, name of
seller and amount is reported to the
Washington authorities. A monthly
report is also made of every cent re-
ccived, paid out, and every pound or
pint purchased or on hand must be
satisfactorily accounted for by COM
piete and explicit vouchers, setting
forth also the authority for purchases
when made. Whilst the labor of pur-
chasing, inspecting, and shipping army
supplies is complete and accurate,
there is no less complet eness in the
careful and unyielding exactions Of
accountability which the government
requires by reports and returns of its
army agents.
The large, varied, and unlimited
market in this city is for the purchase
of subsistence supplies not only the
very best but the most important in
the country. The subsistence depart
ment has always tried to select for
its purchasing officer here n of Its
most experienced members, whose
main object is advancing. protecting,
and securing the public interest.
There has never been Il de~falcation at
this depot since its establishment,
nor have the duties required to be
performed here failed to meet all de-
mandS.
How We Judge a Novel.