Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-03-06
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr 0FyIcE DEPARTMENT,

Ut being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those In for the mail service
u ths ~. speoism I, tocas anu s, VIII p
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
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshing such looks 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 addi
onal term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
than six months before the termination of the first term
Of four years
with view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, no of lock prescribed standard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop IL Is however proper to state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
itie viz durability uniformity, ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dispacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
by of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail service; but Il will probably
coed amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter
No lock will be considered II Il 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 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
an assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department, II the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential TO the interests of the
service In Of the failure of the contractor at 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
toned TO annul said contract and to contract with
other party parties as he may see m for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem expedient select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and the
way mails that Of another. He reserves therefore, the
right of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that course for the interest of the Department The
with ample security In the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance of the contract The
tract 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 81 Postmaster General