Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-10-04
ARMY SUPPLIES.
Agricultural Glasses Almost
Exclusively Depended
Upon for Them.
Farm Products Absolutely Neces-
sary for the Sustenance Of
Men and Horses.
Rash and False Statements of Bry-
an Regarding These
Matters.
Onicial Figures Disprove Arguments OF
the Democratic Leader in
His Speeches.

the populist nomination for president,
made on August 23 at Topeka, Kan,
departed from the plan followed in his
Indianapolis speech accepting the
democratic nomination, and discussed
all the issues peculiar to the populists.
In talking on these questions he made
many rash and false statements in re-
gard TO certain conditions which he
declared to exist In his speech to the
farmers he laid especial stress upon
the fact that they were not benefited
by the republican prosperity, and in
speaking of militarism and imperial
ism and their effect upon the farmers,
he said
Looking at questions from the stand
point of the producer OF wealth, rather
than from the standpoint OF the Spectator,
the popuist recognizes In militarlsm
constant and increasing burden. The army
worm, which occasionally destroys neld
of wheat is not nearly so dangerous an
enemy TO the farmer as a large standing
army, which inVades every field OF indus
try and which exacts toll from every crop
If 100000 men are withdrawn from the
ranks of the producers, and placed as
burden on the backs of those who remain
Il means longer hours, harder work and
greater sacrifices for those who toll. The
farmer while he pays more than his share
of the expenses Of the army, has no part
in army contracts or in developing COM
panes, and his sons are less likely TO NIL
life positions In the army than the sons
OF those who, by reason OF wealth or pO-
litical prominence, exert influence at Wash
ington"
This statement, especially as to the
farmer and his relation to the army,
is so far from the truth, and is so easily
disproved. that it eNcites suspicion. In
the first place, Mr.. Bryan must know
that the law provides that all army
contracts must be advertised for and
bids opened, before they are awarded,
and that no special class is favored in
giving them out.
Figures showing the expenditures
by the quartermaster's department
from April, 1898, to and including June,
1900, make il plain that nearly $50,000,-
600 has been expended by the United
States for the purchase of supplies and
materials for the army which have
been produced by the farmers. So that
when Mr.. Bryan says that the farmer,
while she pays more than his share of
the expenses of the army, has no part
In army contracts or in developing
companies. he states what is untrue.
Official figures OF expenditures in the
subsistence department Of the war de-
partment show that in the purchase of
American products during the years
1898. 1890 and to June 80. 1900, the ar
ticles purchased for rations were main
ly direct products of the farm. such
as beef, bacon, -four, cornmeal, beans,
rice, potatoes, canned tomatoes, mo-
lssses, soap, pork, hard bread, peas,
hominy, onions, sugar. vinegar, pep
per and candles, and during that period
the subsistence department expended
1913, 147. 617.63 for these rations. So
much for the subsistence department.
The quartermaster's department
shows. on account of purchase of for
age, fuel. stationery, cavalry and ar
tillery horses, wagons and means Of
transportation (other than railroads.
boats, etc.. harness, clothing and
equipage, materials and manufactures
and lumber. from April. 1898. TO June
30, 1900. that $4s 1903, O36.s9 has been ex-
pended.
come direct from the farmer. Horses
and mules. as well as the lumber pur-
chased, were American products while
the many millions of dollars expended
for clothing. equipage and material
represent wool and cotton grown by
farmers in the United States. Instead
of the farmer having as dangerous an
In, 10 Ct a
has in the army worm, figures from
the war department thus show that
he has been greatly aided and helped
by the army. and has had market for
his products.
To show exactly the amount of
money expended by the quartermas-
ter's and subsistence departments of
the war department the following Of
ficia. figures are given in answer to
Mr. Bryan's charges that the army
has not helped the farmer, but has
been menace:
The subsistence department, during
the two and half years. has expended
for American farm products. for ra-
tions for the army, 500, 147,617.63.
The quartermaster's department has
expended during the same period on
account Of purchase of forage, fuel,
horses. clothing. etc:
Forage coats, hay. straw. etc). s6,Os2, Ol5 10
Fuel (wood and coaD, station
cry. stoves ....,....,.....,.,.... 2.771, 405 ee
Cavalry and artillery horses. 1.740053 "a
Draught horses and mules, 1882 949 20
Wagons and means of land
transportation, other than rail-
roads boats. etc................ 2.11e 900 "a
Harness NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 1874 10
Purchase OF clothing and equi-
page and materials ............. %, 9e1, 06e "a
Manufacture of clothing and
eauipaee ......................... 2,138, 7O3 o.
Purchase OF lumber.............. 1.132 $50 "a
Total SIS. S03 O3e SO
Total farm products. $33, 147 617 sS
Grand total .....................SSl,9 $50 654 81
JOHN s.. SHRIVER.