American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-11
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
March Ii 1881

POST OTFICE
March Ii, 1851
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
i other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posals TO furnish the same win be received considered
the Post Office Department until the first day Of JULY
next. The different locks viii be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshng 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 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 tern
of four years. L1 UH
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowes
price kind Of lock is prescribed Standard the De
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited may
develop 1t L. however, proper state that lock suit
ties viz durability uniformity, lightness and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will b.
required To he furnished by the within seven
months AFTER the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the animal supply will depend the durs
by Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail service; but will probably
coed In amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter
No lock win be considered II IL be like any already IN
general use will any with whom the contraci
may be made be allowed to make, sell, furnish any
lock key similar 70 those contracted for any otha,
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind oflock adopted must be patented and the pa
tenee will be required entering into contract 70 MAKE
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and
eft Of the Department. IL the Postmaster General shall
deem requirement. essential TO the interests Of tn,
service In Of the failure of the contractor any
time TO fulfil faithfully this terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO snnu said contract and 10 contract witt
any other party parties he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedicnt to select
for the through malls the lock OF bidder and for the
way mails that Of another lie reserves therefore, the
right OF contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks be may select, and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem for the interest OF the Department The
party parties contracting will be required TO give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance Of the contract The con.
tract contain provisions for the due and proper in
rpection OF the locks and keys and alao for guarding
against their passing into improper hands; the
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, bid should be accepted
No application win be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar a. f s Postmaster General