Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-01-30
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I

!
being desirable to substitute locks and keys
other kind for those in for the mail service
o. the ontea states, specimen LOCKS ana Keys with pro
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next. The different locks viii be submitted to commits
tracts WILL as practicable, be for
nshng such locks 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
tonal term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine less
than six months before the of the first term
of four years
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock Is prescribed standard the
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 service should possess quail
ites viz durability, uniformity, lightness and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto 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 durar
blity of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease Of the mail services but win probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock viii be considered IL It be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 20 make, SELL or furnish any
lock key similar those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract 10 make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive ben
eft Of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
deem requirement essential to the interests
service of the failure of the contractor at any
time 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 annu said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties be may TT for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent TO select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for 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 to reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that 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 con.
tract is to contain provisions for the due proper in
specton 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, IL bid should be accented
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
~ X. HALL,
mar H- Postmaster General