Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1904 — “Millions for Defense.” [ARTICLE]

“Millions for Defense.”

,A prominent naval officer tells a story of the days just previous to tha Spanish-American war, when Theodora Roosevelt was assistant Secretary of the Navy. One day Mr. Roosevelt, assisted by Lieut. Sharpe, had con chided, certain negotiations iooking lo tin? purchase of vessels -suitable for scout duty: To this end the' two officials had expended about throe million dollars of Uncle Sam's money. When the day’s work had been completed and the two were ready to leave the department, Mr. Roosevelt observed that it was raining. "Well, Sharps,” said Mr. Roosevelt,“wo can't walk home in this rainr especially as neither of us has an umbrella. We'll take a ear; but as I have but three cents in ray pocket, you’ll have to pay my fare.” The lieutenant grinned. “I haven't a cent,” he said. Mr. Roosevelt burst Into a loud laugh... _ "Well, never mind, old man,” said he. “This only goes to show what aa exceptional lot we Americans are. 1 It isn’t every country where two publlo servants could spend three million dollars and not have a cent In their pockets when they were through.”