The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-04-02

The May Sr and Third street Com
tract.
EDS. or rHE GATE CRY Il see by this
mornings paper that Mayor kilbourne has
written long article for your paper, endeav-
oring to elicit the sympathies Of the public
in his behalf, and Justify his conduct in this
affair; to his we do not object, so far as he
is disposed to state the facts but as we are
informed this has not been done by the Hon.
Mayor in his communication to your paper,
/ YOU will rease allow an humble statement
as we understand it. On the 18th Of March,
the City Council instructed the Mayor to con-
tract with the Messrs. Creightons in accord
auce with their bid, and the specifications in
/ the Engineers Office, for the grading of the
northeast end Of Third Street, and on the
Goth Of March, the Hon. Mayor and the
Messrs. Cleightons did enter into such con-
tract exactly in accordance with the instruc-
tions Of the Resolution passed by the City
Council on the 18th, and after being signed
by the Mayor, and witnessed by Mr.. Martin,
was left in the Office. and was put on file by
the City Recorder in like way and manner as
other contracts have been heretofore.
Nothing was said IN the resolution about
taking bond of the contractors, hence, when
the contract was signed by the contractors
and the Mayor, the instructions of the Coun-
ell were fully complied with it is true, how
ever, that it has been the practice to take
bond Of contractors to insure the faithful full
fllment Of their contract, &c. and also, to
retain fifteen per cent on the work, until the
same is completed; this latter was done in
this contract with the Messrs Creightons
but not one word about taking bond is to
be found in either the contract or the resolu-
tion of instructions passed by the City Coun
ell
At the last meeting Of the Council, all the
papers, TO wit. the contract, and also the
bond, were before US. The Messrs. Creght-
ons desired the Council to accept their bond.
Now, the Mayor states that the bond only,
on motion of Aid. Patterson, was laid on the
table Aid. Patterson states TO me this
morning that his motion was TO lay both bond
and contract on the table-at least he so un-
derstood it, and thinks it was generally un
derstood so by the Council.
In regard to jeopardizing the interests Of
the city by the grading of streets, we will
only say, that similar fears were urged when
Main Street was about to be graded. Yet
who does not know that the value Of prop
,Eat +bau cd
thereby til first year, and the increased tax
much more than paid the interest on the
money il cost to grade it: and such, we be-
lieye, will be the result Of grading Third, or
B.ondeau streets We believe we hazard lit
tie in grading street when the immediate
increase in value Of the property on such
street vii! afford sufficient revenue TO meet
tin interest on the cost of grading.
In reference to ''sharp words or any an
pleasant feeling existing between Mr.. Kill
bourne and myself, must say that | enter
tain d very favorable opinion Of the Hon.
Mayor and so far as | am competent to
Judge, | think he has made us good, kind
. officer. 1t is common for most men to err
sometimes, bat Mr.. X, We apprehend, has
committed few errors the past year in his
teIal capacity rs most men would have done
under similar circumstances. 1t is true, he
had in general but little to do IN the Council
Il believe he was required TO vote once dur
Ing the year, and then he voted on both sides
Of the question, giving offence TO no one !;
and so far as | am aware, he and | are on as
good terms as IN times past
But as Mr.. Creighton has made a statement
Of most OF the facts connected with this yeXed
contract, | submit herewith his statement,
and there leave the whole matter hcnceforth
with hum and the Mayor.
j. HAINES.