Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-02-27
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PoST OFFIcE DEPARTMENT.,
II

TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those now in use for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the same win be received and considered
the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next Inc nerent locks VIII De supmitteu 70 conmls-
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and Tor four with the right
the of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for an add
tona 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 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 state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability, uniformity lighness, and strength
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys 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-
blity of the locks and keys adopted as well as the in
crease Of the mail service but 1t viii probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
No lock will be considered II It be like any already in
general will any one with whom the contract
lock or key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department.
The kind 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 ben
eft Of the Department, If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential the interests of tho
service In of the failure Of the contractor at any
time to fulfil faithfully the 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 he may m for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem it 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 as he may select and also the
right To reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required give bond,
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
specion of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the of
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character of
the bidder and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar 24-- Postmaster General.