Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-03-09
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT


]
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
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
tracts w as soon practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on part of the Postmaster General the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
hona term of four years, by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not more than nine nor less
than six months before the termination of the first term
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited, may
develop 1t is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability, uniformity lightness, and strength
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand thereto 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
bility of the locks and keys adopted well the In
crease of the mail seryice but It will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered If It be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell, 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 must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract to make
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 any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men,
toned to annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may At for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expedent to select
through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another He reserves therefore,
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. If be 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 for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract to contain provisions for the due and proper in
specon of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms of
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 Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General.