The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-11
1921

completed, the latter not executed until its close
The estimate for the cube stone presents Mr. c. as
the lowest bidder for that item by s., 4SO On the
steps inside, the estimate of p. W. is the lowest
by $2,SSO. The other items furnish the same
explanations.
The reader OF the two atements we feel assured,
has already discovered and anticipated the decen-
ton which we have characterized above as fraud
ulent perversion of the truth. Mr. G. has, as will
be seen by comparison of the two tables selected
five items of work, up TO the 10th November last.
or, if We include the beds and bills. seven items
and, having shown that has bids for these items are
less than ours, thus makes out his charge that he
was the lowest bidder, not upon these items alone,
but Tor the work This is the proof of the fraud and
the loss of the Government With the same nro
priety we and the unsuccessful bidders mi ght select
nve or seven items upon which were respectively
the lowest bidders, and thus prove ourselves emit
ued 10 the contract. We would ask, are there no
other Items OF work not yet reached, upon which
Mr. e. Is not the lowest bidder? Is the loss or rain
10 the Government, the question of ighest or low
est DID, TO be determined by reference TO few or
any number of items, are they to be decided by
comparison OF the aggregate amounts Of the items
OF the several bids? The questions answer them
selves.
Thus it is that Mr. c. seizes hold oftbe accidental
circumstance OF his being the lowest bidder ON a
lew items Of the work first 10 be ezecued and setting
himself up as the disinerested guardian Of the pub
nc money, wilfully perverts the truth 10 ACCOMPLISH
his own sinister purposes. We have shown that
Mr. Cs evidence fails TO prove him the lowest bid
der: Let figures determine the question who is
mr. C.'s bid, in the aggregate, for all the items,
estimating beds and bills at the rate Of 80 cents
(being the average estimate, fixed by the archi-
tect for the purpose Of giving him standing before
hm,) amounts TO the sum OF. Sls5, 979
The bid VI tbe undersigned, 10 the sum Of ISL g62
Our bid being the lowest by the sum Of -. S4,Ol7
But MIR. c. will say, 81 make no charge for beds
and bills" Let US give him credit for honesty
In giving this gratuity 10 the Government at this
time, and the bid will stand as follows:
CalnerOnS q
Provost winters. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Isl ,962
Difference ....:.....,............ S4,0l7
Deduct amount Of beds and bills, includ-
cd in the Sls5,979.. $3.50
Difference in favor OFF & W.. 1921
With these figures taken from the original bids
we dismiss the matter with few remarks We
DESIRE as public contractors, 10 enter protect
against the reception of such bds as that of Mr. C.
Under such rules the whole system Of contracts be-
comes one Of fraud and trickcry. We shall not
trouble ourselves TO follow up the motive of this
attack Whether 1t is hostility the officers Of Gov
ernment and ourselves, friendship 10 the labor
ing mechanics, who, having an interest in common
with US, DESTROYS that the work should progress
Is OF little consequence TO the public. We hope
ourselves to survive the assault Of the "Contractor
OF the Smithsonian Buldngs," as Mr.. Cameron
ostentatiously announces himself
In conclusion, we will say that whenever public
opinion shall become public clamor from the mouths
oil citizens OF the highest responsibility and dsnter
cstedness, denouncing the execution of our work
or the Character Of materials, as a fraud upon
the Government and the country, shall not treat
them with affected contempt pretended indiffer-
ence. Provost, WINTER & co.
SATURDAY, 9th Of February, 1850. Feb. Il-Iti