INTERNAL RELATIONS. 253 



3. The Monthly Abstract of Purchases. 



This is a single abstract containing a list of the articles pur- 

 chased during the past month, consolidated by names and classified 

 according to the nomenclature. The amounts paid are extended 

 conveniently for summation. 



This paper has apparently a two-fold object : first, to consoli- 

 date the amounts disbursed for purchases ; and second, to enable 

 the Chief of Ordnance to compare readily the price paid for the 

 same articles at different arsenals. 



The voucher numbers in the margin are only for casual refer- 

 ence to the vouchers from which the items are derived; they 

 serve no connected purpose. The same remark is true as to the 

 " purposes " for which room is made. The recapitulation of the 

 amounts at the end of the paper logically belongs to the abstract 

 of disbursements, and has nothing to do with the functions of 

 this abstract. See page 255. 



