American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-09
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.


1T being desirable to substitute locks and keys OF
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posals to furnish the viii be received and considered
next The different locks will be submitted commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will as practicable be entered into for fur
nhng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
TO extend and continue the contract in force for add
tiona term OF four years by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not more than nine nor les
than six months before the termination of the first term
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind OF lock il prescribed standard, the De
parment relying for selection the mechanical ski
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop 1t Is however proper 10 state that lock suit
able for the maIservice should possess the following quail
tiles, via durability, uniformity lighness and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto WIN
required 70 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend The dura
biity Of the locks and keys adopted as wen az the in
crease Of the mail service but Il viii probably never s
coed In amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
general use; nor will any one With whom the contrao
may be made be allowed TO make, SELL or furnish any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any otha
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee win be required on entering into contract TO maxi
assignment of his patent for the exclusive
eft Of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential the interests tho
service In of the failure Of the contractor
time TO fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO snnul said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties be may At for furnishing
similar hooks and keys. il .. .s1 ers #..A
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedisnt to select
for the through mas the lock of bidder and the
mails that Of smother He therefore the
right OF contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. II he sha
deem that course for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting viii be required to give bond
with ample security, In the OF thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance OF the contract The con
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
spection Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions 10 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder IL bid should he accepted
No application will be considered " not accornran MED
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
r kgINGuN 8.t F. aa taHr N X. HALL,
mar A--e g4.El. Re- Postmaster General.