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

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 50 4S0 On the
steps inside, the estimate of P. 4 W. is the lowest
by $2,SSo. The other items furnish the same
explanations.
The reader OF the two statements we feel assured,
mas 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
five items of work up to the 10th November las.
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 pro-
prety we and the unsuccessful bidders mi ght 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 oss or pan
10 the Government, the question Of highest 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
OF the several bids. The questions answer them.
selves.
Thus it is that Mr. C. seizes hold the accidental
circumstance OF his being the lowest bidder on n
few items Of the work first 10 erecuied and setting
himself up as the disinteresed guardian Of the pub
hc money, wilfuly pervcrts the truth 10 accomplish
his own sinister purposes. We have shown that
Mr. Cs evidence fails 10 prove him the lowest bid
der Let figures determine the question who is
ut. y Oiu, IN Tue aggregate, Tor all the items,
estimating beds and bills at the rate Of 30 cents
(being the average estimate us fixed by the archi-
tect for the purpose OF giving him standing before
hm,) amounts TO the sum of .......... Sls5 97q
The bid VI the undersigned, 10 the sum Of ISL 500
Our bid being the lowest by the sum Of 80 s4,Ol7
But Mr. c. viii say, al make no charge for beds
and bills" Let US give him credit for honesty
in giving this gratuify TO the Government at this
time, and the bid will stand as follows:
Provost winters. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Isl ,962
Difference ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. S4,Ol7
Deduct amount of beds and bills, incud-
cd in the sls5,97s. also
Difference in favor OFF. & W.. s2s7
With these figures taken from the original bids
we dismiss the matter with few remarks. We
desire a. public contractors, 20 enter protest
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 trickory We shall not
trouble ourselves 10 follow up the motive Of this
attack Whether IL is hostility the officers Of Gov
eminent and ourselves or friendship 10 the labor
ing mechanics, who, having an interest in common
with US, DESTROYS that the work should progress
Is OF little consequence 20 the public. We hope
ourselves TO survive the assault Of the contractor
Of the Smithsonian Buildings," az Mr.. Cameron
SYSTEMATICALLY announces himself
In conclusion, we will say that whenever public
opinion shall become public clamor from the mouths
OF citizens OF the highest respectability and dsinter
cstedness, 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 indifTer.
Provost, WINTER & co.
SATURDAY, 9Th Of February, 1850. Feb. ll--lti