The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-26

nc lands 10 aid in the construction of the Indiana and
illinois Central railway
The motion being agreed to- the bill was takes up aud
considered as IN committee OF the whole; and il was
read II grants to the States of Indiana and Illinois The
right OF way through the public lands for the consruc-
uon oil railroad from the city OF Indianapolis via Mon
tezuma, in the State Of Indiana the city OF Spring
held IN abe State OF Illinois, with the right also tax
necessary materials OF earth, stone, and timber for the
construction thereof from the public lands of the Uni
ted States adjacent TO said railroad with the other pro-
visions usual in railroad bills
NO amendment being made, the bill was reported 10
the Senate and ordered TO be epgossed for third read
Ing; and, by unanimous consent, il was read third
time and passed.
NAVY BIDS
Mr. GWIN The Committee on Naval Affairs. TO
whom was referred the JOINT resolution from the House
relative TO bids Tor provisions, clothing, and small stores
Tor the use OF the navy have instructed me 10 report IL
back without amendment and TO recommend is passage
AS is OF considerable Importance that should be acted
upon Immediately. ask that il be now considered.
No objection being made the joint resolution was taken
and considered as in committee OF the whole; and II
Mr. PRATT 1t seems to me. Mr. President. that this
joint resolution introduces entirely new principle with
regard the bids which 10 be received by the gov
ernment As il is any who can give sufclent
security for the faithful performance OF his contract is
authorized to bid for the supply OF any articles which
may be advertised for by the government oil the United
States. But this principle Is 10 be altered and II lhis
joint resolution passes, will he authorized to bid
except the manufacturers OF the article advertised for
and the parties who may be known 10 the government
TO be engaged as merchants ia the sale Of such article
Mr.. BELL, Gin bis seat) Regular dealers.
Mr.. PRATT. 4es sir, regular dealers in such article
Now sir, cannot see if the government advertise for
the supply in California OF thousand barrels OF -four,
why anybody who may choose to bid for furnishing The
article, and who give the requisite security the
government Tor the faithful performance OF the contract
should mol have the privilege, heretofore, OF making
such bid do not why the manufacturer OF Hour,
the regular dealer in flour, would be better competent to
fulfil his contract with the than anybody else
who give sufficient security II is proposed TO con-
fine the competition for furnishing supplies 10 the govern
men 10 these two classes Of people, whereas il is
open 10 the whole country. think that principle is
wrong
Mr. GWIN. ln answer to the senator from Maryland,
will read letter from the bead OF the bureau Of Pro-
vsions and Clothing the Secretary OF the Navy, which
was communicated TO the House Committee on Naval
Affairs, copy Of which received this morning. asking
the passage of the resolution and giving the
for it
BUREAU Provisions CLOTHING,
Navy Department, Feb 8, lS41.
SIR pectfuly submit your conside the
closed proposed Joint resolution in relation
The experienced by the bureau in the
eouton of its duties In quence Of the difficulty OF OBJ
tanning proper supplies and, in Instances positive
refusal 10 furnish any as you ire aware from contrpc
mperatyey requires some changes least like those ion
posed Long experiences forcibly impresses the
conviction OF The bureau that the ysem and that
of lowest bids. for articles OF provisions oi perish
able nature, bur cesssy the heath aud comort
sesmen, oi advantage the government. and
injurious the service, IL is OF paramount, importance;
regards the the health
OF seamen that the supply OF good provisions should
be lett dependent upon the competition OF SPECTATORS
is frequently the under the system Many
articles such -four, rce aisns beans, ded lru and
pickles. could be procured 10y purchase under proper
regulations. of better quality, and equally favorable
government, by contract; Experience has
shown that viii never furnish the bes, Of these
articles, but only such VIII merely pass inspection in
gestng CHANGE the bureau only he aetnaed by
sense q qey as Is evdsn, ths' under ne present sys
mpsiaion. OF improper pteetence
As advertisement Tor supplies be made about the
middle OF March. respectfully request, y the proposed
resolution meets your approval that yon Wal be pleased 10
bring the subject ths notice OF tue nsva committees OF
both houses OF Congress, eaty - ihnk
am, sir, very respectfully your ooedeat ss1ysnt,
Hon J. c, DonBlS,
Secretary Of tue Navy.
| will also read a letter on the subject which was ad-
dressed 10 me this morning
BUREAU PRovisross AND CLOTHING,
Navy Department, March D. 1854
SIRi Agreeaby my promise, have The honor en-.
close copy Of the e.er Of TIE bureau, dated February
which panied the proposed joint resolution, boh
which approved 10y him. aud the chairman Of
the Committee on Naval Ahars OF the House Tho
luton whieh passed that bcdY on Monday does repea
the law in Iela Ion 'lowea bids but It simply deprives
spectators OF tho power controlling all supplies for The
navy places regular dealers and the
position which doubt Congress intended, and 10 which
beg leave 10 adduce the article Of ''bue hannel very
much used 10 the navy, an example, among maay
system. The contractor, regular manufacturer, iol
the sst .cal year furnished frsale article, and equal
ton by who has 20 make hi pnrchases he
show the kind Of anne he has eudea
send piece Of tho government sample ana
ea pieces OF such he has attempted 10 deliver hat you
may Judge tor yourself
la regard tat toe resolution In relation be.
ing authorized purchase, in certain cases, superior
qoaly OF -four beg TO efnafk that all experience demon
be cent 70 be East Indies Nearly ali we send 10 that STA
ipiu the voyage, and unb for
its arrival The suicest inspection ayiis but lie Nc
nefchah as well know, viii incur the rick of sending
other than the Galego- HsSal Honf TO Hong Kong
aud commanders aud store keepe that station
invariably recommended that other kind should be
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedlent servant
Hon. W M GwIs, chairman Naval Commuiee,
/ United States Senate.
Now sir the Secretary OF the Navy wishes TO have the
power conhne those who bid for these articles to The
actual producer and dealer, and for obvious
for is matter OF character with those parties 10 put h
such bid they com mpy with, and furnish good
article On the subject OF -four, know that THIS u
necessary because 1t is impossible TO send -four By
without Its being more less inquired, unless certain
brands selected which The Secretary oil the Navy ba
no power 10 do al this lime. The Committee on Nava
Affairs examined this question with great deal oi a
ienuon this morning. and came 10 the conclusion thar
under the circumstance ~ best 10 pass the resolution
II gives too much power 10 the Secretary o the Navy
That can be restricted hereafter Here are samples q
hanne showing conclusively that the present contractor
does not furnish article equal 90 that iurnlsbed lac
year as stated IN the letter which have read Severs
different kinds have been sent here Of very infeno
quality
ML PRATT. Mr.. President, the letter which has
been read w support Of the resolution upon your table
as seems 70 me does not give any sound reason Tor 10
passage. Now, would ipgutte OF nv honorable Irie nc
hat IL.