The true northerner., 1900-10-12
Farm Products Absolutely Neces-
sary for the SuStenance of
Men and Horses.
Rash and False Statements of Bry-
an Regarding These
Matters.
Official Figures Disprove Arguments Of
the Democratic Leader in
His Speeches.

the populist nomination for president,
made on August % at Topeka, Kan.
departed from the plan followed in his
Indianapolis speech accepting the
democratic nomination, and discussed
all the issues peculiar 10 the populists.
In talking on these questions he made
many rash and false statements in re-
gard TO certain conditions which he
declared 10 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 speculator,
the populist recognizes In militarism
constant and increasing burden. The army
worm, which OcCa sionally destroys field
of wheat, Is not nearly so dangerous an
enemy TO the farmer as large standing
army, which tnVades 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If 100000 men are withdrawn from the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 snare
OF the expenses Of the army. has no part
in army contracts or in developing COM
panies, 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 ii excites 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 it plain that nearly 50.o00,
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
GOHl DuUttN. lie Nld ttS MllAl II 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. 1899 and 10 June 30, 1900, the ar
ticles purchased for rations were main
~ direct products of the farm. such
as beef bacon. -four. cornmeal, beans.
,arna1
lasses. soap. pork, hard bread. peas,
hominy. onions, sugar. vinegar. pep
per and candles. and during that period
the subsistence department expended
S33, ,147. 7.617.63 for these rations. So
much for the subsistence department.
The quartermaster' 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. 1s9s. 10 June
30. 1900. that S4S SOB ,036.s9 has been ex-
pended.
OF this forage. oats. hay, straw. etc.
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
enemy in a large standing army as he
/ 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
fetal figures are given in answer TO
! Mr.. Bryau's charges that the army
/ has not helped the farmer but has
] been a menace:
The subsistence department, during
the two and half years, has expended
for American farm products. for ra-
tons for the army. s33, ,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.).. seOS2. .O15 10
Il Fuel (wood and coaD, station
cry, stoves ...................... 2771. .405 g6
/ Cavalry and artillery horses.... 1.74O.053 "A
/ Draught horses and mules....... 2,3S2, $40 %
/ Wagons and means OF land
transportation. other than rail-
roads, boats. etc................ 211e. 900 "a
Harness OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 4S2.374 10
/ Purchase OF clothing and equ-
page and materials ............. % 961 .0e6 IA
| Manufacture Of clothing and
equipage ......................... 21s3, 7Os O2
Purchase OF lumber.............. 1,l32. $50 GA
Total So3. .O36 SO
Total farm products. .$53 III, ,617 SO
Grand total ....................sSl9 sSl 950. .654 81
JOHN S. SHRIYER-