The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-10-19
ARMY SUPPLIES.
Agricultural Glasses Almost
Exclusively Depended
!, Upon for Them.
/
Farm Products Absolutely Neces-
sary for the Sustenanoe of
h Men and Horses.
Rash and False Statements of Bry-
an Regarding These
] Matters.
0hcial Figures Disprove Arguments Of
the Democratic Leader In
0mcial Figures Disprove Arguments Of
the Democratic Leader In
His Speeches

Mr.. Bryan, in his speech accepting
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 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 populist recognizes in militarism
constant and increasing burden. The army
worm, which occasionally destroys field
OF wheat, Is not nearly so dangerous an
enemy to the farmer as large 81 standing
try and which exacts toll from every crop.
II 100, 600 men are withdrawn from the
o. Of
It means Ions er hours, harder work and
greater sacr ices for those who toll. tt
the expen es q ihe army has pa
In army contracts or In developing COM
panies, and his sons are less likely to fill
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 excites suspicion. In
the first place, Mr.. Bryan must know
that the law provides that all army
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 ii 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 che 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, 1899 and to June 30, 1900, the ar
ticles purchased for rations were main
.ly direct products of the farm, such
as beef, bacon, flour, cornmeal, beans,
rice, potatoes, canned tomatoes, mo-
lasses, soap, pork, hard bread, peas,
hsminy, onions. sugar, vinegar, pep
per and candles, and during that period
the subsistence department expended
500, LAT ,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 S4s,so3, O36.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 aud material,
represent wool and cotton grown by
farmers in the United States. Instead
of the farmer having as dangerous an
nj nv IN In 10 IN
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 a 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.. Bryan'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, $40, 147,617.63.
The quartermaster's department has
expended during the same period on
account Of purchase of forage, fuel.
horses, clothing, ETC.:
Forage Goats, hay, straw, etc.). &C. Os2. OLE IN
Fuel (wood and coaD. station
cry, stoves .:;;;....;........... am, 1886 !
Cavalry and rtillery horses l'740' ma % 4
Draught hors IS and mules 49,. 2aS2 90 % |
wagons an, means of land
transported on, other than rail-
roads, boats. etc..........,..... 2,116, 800 "a |
narhess 4S2,3H -
page and materials ........... 20 g61. O6s IA |
Manufacture of clothing and
eauipage ...:................. 2.1ss. 7os 02
Purchase OF lumber.............. 1,132, $50 "a |
Total .s4s 500, O36 SO
Total farm products.............$33 141, 617 SO
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