American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-02
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
March IA 1871 E


being desirable TO substitute locks and keys of
/ other kind for those in for the mail service
posas furnish the will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of july
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report. Upon this report con
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
nishing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part Of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract In force for add
onal term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less
than six months before the termination of the first term
Of four years.
With view procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock Is prescribed standard, the De
partmcnt relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
able for the mail service should the following quail
tiles viz durability, uniformity ghtness and strength.
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and Keys in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys adapedthereto will be
required TO 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 well the in
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered If IT be like any already in
general use; nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make SELL or furnish, any
lock key similar to those contracted for for any Other
purpose than that OF the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted be patented and the pa
entee will be required entering into contract to MAKE
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive ben
eft Of the Department, If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor Mt any
time 10 fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of hs
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides TO the penal remedy hereinafter men,
toned to annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties lie may At for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expcdient select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder for the
mails that Of another lie reserves therefore the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also thu
right reject all the specimens aud proposals II shall
deem that FOR the interest Of the Department The
party parties attracting will be required TO give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance OF the contract The
tract is to contain provisions for the due proper
specon of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper bands the terms
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character
N. X HALL
"a Postmaster General.