The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-24

sProPosals Tor Indi@n Oeoas."
/, will be seen by reference to the advertisement Of
bs Commissioners Of Indian Affairs, that an addendum has
bssu appended giving notice ihs he time for opening
he bids is extended TO the first day Of December next at
10 o'clock a M" (instead Of the FIRST day Of Novem-
bsr and the time Of delivery Of the goods to the first OF
lane, 1850" (insiead OF the 18th day of May next)
Also, that "< regulation orbiddng srtraes 10 be taken
from s contracts Of former years has been rsseindsd"
Oar attention has recently been called to the manner OF
inviting contracts furnish goods for the Indian Depart
ment and do not hesitate to say that the change OF
this regulation" is wise and iudicious measure We
never before heard OF It's existence and cannot imagine
what good reason can be assigned for Withholding any
information connected with The previous prices Of ar
es which are now to be furnished OF upon other mat
ers connected Herewith which may be deemed import
ant BY those who feel DESTROYS Of becoming competitors
70, the contract In all The other departments OF the
government so far have been able to learn. when
ever notice is Published inviting bids for contracts
10 supply provisions, goods, materials OF descp
ton the records thrown open for the inspection of
bidders. far to give every person an equal opporu
nifty to obtain all necessary information and extracts TO
that effect are cheeruly given. different course. it
will at once be perceived would give the fortunate bid
vantage over all others. But whilst accord great
praise in this instance the present head Of the Indian
bureau, "a duty il viii afford us much pleasure to perform
towards the head Of every department Of the government
when they deserve it,, we cannot but believe there must
be some mistake in regard 10 the regulation" in ques
lion; and belief is grounded upon our knowledge Of
the high reputation sustained by the late head OF the In
dian Department for efficiency. honesty. and sterling in
,egny. combined in the Secretary Of War and Com
missioner Of Indian Affairs.
Having our attention thus called 10 this subject, it
strikes US that some other changes might be advania
geousy made in the present regulations. prescribing the
manner Of awarding contracts for furnishing Indian
goods We have been informed that these goods are
divided into asses and that bidders must propose to
furnish everything enumerated in particular class the
omission Of single article will bid to be thrown
aside In the article Of blankets for instance, there
four different coors-whe, scarlet. green, and blue II
has been fully demonstrated that in quality and texture
we can manufacture the Mackinac blanket" in this
country or an imitation OF it, equal to any British i'm
portation In the South. well in the North, we
will venture assert. blankets Of this kind, and all
descriptions of woollen goods, except list cloths"
can be manufactured of quality equal to any that
have ever been imported for the Indian trade from
foreign establishments We have manufacturers in this
country possessing the ability the means, and the skill
necessary enable them to compete with the manufac
tuers Of any country and they have the enterprise and
the desire to enter into competition for the supply of
woolen and cotton goods for the OF their own gov
eminent But although the American manufacturers can
equal the quality. and initiate the exact colors OF SCARLET
green and blue yet is freely admitted that they cannot
initiate the rhite Mackinac blanket The pure iuLite
mes, Of the imported blanket il is said is absolutely
quisiie and in this quality the English manufacture
stands unrivaIled II this be so, why, then, not divide
the colors and permit the American manufacturer TO
come in for lis share'
We might go on to dissect the list of dry goods and
"hardwae, include agricultural implements" in the
manner, and show thai this mixing together in
class the products OF entirely different trades
and occupations is calculated keep the contracts out
Of the hands OF the manufacturers and the laboring
classes, and throw them into the hands of large
chants Spectators The splendid manufactures OF
axes and other sharp TOOLS in the North, who might be
anxious to contract for furnishing these materials not
being engaged in merchandising, might not be willing TO
engage in furnishing brass, I'm. and apcnned kettles,
iquov avis. combs and Whinemore cards Such is our
opinion and we have freely expressed Il.