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

completed, the latter not executed until its close
Ihe estimate for the cube stone presents Mr.. G. as
the lowest bidder for that item by S2,4sO On the
steps inside, the estimate of p & w. is the lowest
by $2,sS0. The other items furnish the same
explanations.
The reader OF the two statements we feel assured
has already discovered and anticipated the decep.
ton which we have characterized above as fraud
ulent perversion of the truth. MIR. c. has, as will
be seen by comparison Of the two tables selected
hive items OF work, up 20 the 10th November last;
or, II we include the beds and bills, seven items
and having shown that his bids for these items are
lees than ours, thus makes out his charge that he
was the lowest bidder not upon these items alone,
but for the work. This is the proof of the fraud and
the loss OF the Government. With the same pro-
priety we and the unsuccessful bidders mi gh select
hve or seven items upon which we were respectively
the lowest bidders and thus prove ourselves emit
tied TO the contract. We would ask, are there no
other items OF work not yet reached upon which
Mr. Z. Is not the lowest bidder Is the loss or gain
to the Government, the question Of highest or low
est bid, 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
selves.
Thus il is that Mr. c. seizes hold of the accidental
circumstance OF his being the lowest bidder on n
lew items oil the work first 10 be erscted and setting
himself up as the disnterested guardian of the pub
Inc money, wilfuy perverts the truth 10 accomplish
his own sinister purposes. We have shown that
Mr. C;'s evidence fails TO prove him the lowest bid
der. Let ngures determine the question who is.
Mr.. C.s bid, in the aggregate for all the items.
estimating beds and bills at the rate Of 30 cents
(Deing the average estimate, fixed by the arch-
tect for the purpose Of giving him standing before
him. amounts 10 the sum Of. Sls5 979
The bid VI the undersigned, 10 the sum Of lsl 500
Our bid being the lowest by the sum Of -. s4,Ol7
But Mr.. c. viii say, 81 make no charge for beds
and bills Let us give him credit for honesty
in giving this gratuity TO the Government at this
time, and the bid will stand follows:
naIneron Do ACKNOWLEDGEMENT lS5,9I9
Provost Winters. observation-disclosures. Isl 962
Difference .......... ..................... S4,0l7
Deduct amount of beds and bills, includ.
cd in the sis5, g7s. ALSO
Difference in favor OFF. & W.. s2s7
With these figures taken from the original bids,
We dismiss the matter with a few remarks We
desire, "a public contractors, 10 enter our protect
against the reception Of such bids 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 10 follow up the motive Of this
attack Whether IL Is hostility 10 the officers Of Gov.
eminent and ourselves, friendship 10 the labor.
ing mechanics, who, having an interest in common
with US, are DESTROYS that the work should progress
Is OF little consequence 10 the public. We hope
ourselves 10 survive the assault Of the contractor
OF the Smithsonian Buildings." Mr.. Cameron
ostentatousy announces himself
In conclusion, we will say that, whenever public
opinion shall become public camor from the mouths
OF citizens Of the highest responsibility and dsnter
esiedness, denouncing the execution Of our work,
or the character Of our materials, a fraud upon
the Government and the country, shall not treat
them with affected contempt or pretended indifIer-
enCe. PROVOST, WINTER a co
SATURDAY, 9th Of February, 1850. Feb. ll-Iti