Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1898 — VICTORY OF THE TREASURY [ARTICLE]

VICTORY OF THE TREASURY

A Splendid Showing, Helped Out by tbe Patriotism of the People., In this war the victories of the treasury department have not been less significant than those won on the sea and land. In fact, they are just as essential and just as brilliant, though of course they are not theatrical nor melodramatic. By reason of this they might escape attention were it not the part of a newspaper to be just in and quick to give credit where credit is due. Up to this time almost $100,000,000 in cash has been paid out on account of the war. This is not to be looked upon as the cost of the war, for it is difficult to draw the line between ordinary and extraordinary expenses. But the expenses over the same time last year have increased about $75,000,000. So it is fair to infer this represents the cost of the war thus far. Two-thirds of this is chargeable to~ the war depart ment and one-third to the naval department. But there are other expenses, which do not show in the cash expenditures, in the way of large sums due on contracts not yet complete. This would swell the total materially over the million a da,v that has gone out thus far. As large as this sum seems, it will be much larger when the whole army is in the field, as the expenses there are much greater than while in camp. But this outgo, enormous as it is, has been easily met, and there will be no pinch for months to come. Within a few days the $200,000,000 loaned by the people will begin to pour jn. In addition, the increased receipts from internal revenue will be felt almost immediately. and this will be no mean sum. It may reach $15,000,000 a month, though this estimate seems too liberal. In any event the treasury is well fortified for a few months at least. It is thus seen how’ brilliant is the victory of the treasury department, a victory worth celebrating, for on its work all the rest depend. A big fat purse is just ats strong in war as a great big navy, even when manned'by Americans.—Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.