Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-09-11

could Do purchased at the loves,
prices. A rigid fuliillment of all con.
tracts was exactcd and made undc,
the safeguards his experienced fore.
sight had placed around him.
To the purchase of the soldiers IN.
tons, some years since, was added tho
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 ut 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 recent act of con-
grcss, all supplies must be advertised
for. except in very extreme emergency
cases. This opened competition to- all,
and upon the purchas NO officers is i'm
posed the duty of selecting from the
numerous bidders and their samples
the articles At the lowest price-quali-
" and condition considered. An ex-
tensiee knowledge of all such articles
should be possessed by officers of the
subsistence department, and many
have from long experience and associa-
ton with the Soldier-knowing his
wants-closc 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
supplies, 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-
cepted rs are required. after a
thorough comparison with the sample
submitted. These articles are trans
ferred 10 the quartermastcr 5 depart
ment for transportation to the posts
desiring them. All bids are required
TO be carefully distracted and even
the envelopes in which they ara re-
cciVed sent with them To the subsis-
tence bureau in Washington, ID. c.,
for examination and supervision. No
act of the most unimportent character
can 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 4
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
plete 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 j. no less cOmplct eness in tbs
careful and unyieldlng cXactions 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
mcnt has always tried to select for
its purchasing officer here one of Its
most experienced members, whose
main object is advancing, protecting,
and securing the public interest.
There has never been a defalcation at
ths depot since its establishment, J
nor have the duties required to be
performed here failed TO meet all de-
mauds