Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-11-17
VOL. 5.--N0. Il.

with the business, an advertisement appeared
under date of June Il, 1858, for sealed propo-
sails for live oak, describing this rery surplus
condemned timber which our patriot had left
upon his hands. On the 14th of July, the day
when the bids were opened it was discovered
that other gentlemen we're bidders, and at low
er rates than the Massachusetts man. The un-
precedented short time fixed upon in the pro-
posal of the Chief of the Bureau Of Construc-
ton for supplying the timber-oniy from the
14th of July to the lst OF Septemoer-was
thought sufficient to stave of any competitors.
A way was discovered by which the time could
be made still shorter, which would compel the
lowest bidders to be ruled out for want OF time
to deliver the timber and thus fulfil their con-
tracts. This was doHe by refusal 10 notify
the successful bidders Of the acceptance Of their
offers until about The 12ih Of -4agusf, instead OF
giving the notice on the 18th of July within
twenty -four hours after the bids were opened,
according to the usual practice. This man
agement shortened the time one month, leay-
ing only about Sirfeea days to cut and deliver
- 900 cubic feet of live-oak timber! for the
accomplishment of which from one to three
years is usually given. This is the record
Comment upon il is unnecessary. Sufhce 1t
TO say, that when the lSt OF September arrived
the successful bidders, OF course, tailed to de-
liver the full quota OF timber required, altho'
nearly all of it had been delivered, some of
the parties having had the material on hand.
Promptly to an hour, on the 1st of September,
the Chief of the Bureau of Construction ad-
yised them in the following language: "That
as you have not complied with the terms OF
your contract for live oak, new one has been
made with other parties.' This was the first
official information which any of the contrac-
tors -eceived-a course without precedent,
and adopted for the benefit OF a delinquent
upon the terms of his contract under the pro-
| posals of 1857. Yet this individual, who gave
| about $4,000 to aid the election of Mr.. Bu-
chanan, is the 'sother parties alluded to IN
| the note of the Chief of the Bureau.
! There is another fact connected with this af-
| fair quite as surprising any related above
1t is that the lire oak advertised for in the pro-
posai of June 1858, was not wanted in the na-
val yards of the United States, either for i'm
mediate or prospective use, as II IS weh
| known fact that the sloops of war ordered by
the last session of Congress, are now construc-
| ted of white oak; which our patriot agreed TO
| furnish under the proposal OF May, 1897, IS NOT
all delivered yet; but such quantity as has
been delivered is placed away in the sheds,
subject to decay. and cannot be used until de-
manded by some future action OF Congress.
Ii is impossible to state precisely the total
amount that this contractor has been paid by
the Government for timber condemned, re-
ceived and not received, but presume the
different sums which he has received viii not
differ much from his offers. Upon that basis
his new contract, which he Will fulfil with his
condemned surplus timber in the yards, will
amount to Sl95 600. The contract of July 1st
will reach S225, $40, making S420. $40. Be-
sides, he obtained a contract Icithout aduerfis-
ing or competition, for supplying the Brookly n
Yard with timber at 50 per cubic foot. which
will amount to S25, 200 more, making total
on face Of contracts of S44a,ei0. This entire
expenditure, it can hardly be doubted, was
made for single article not wanted, and for
the purpose of reimbursing politician who
, rfsked a few thousand dollars to elect Mr.. Bu-
: chanan.-Cor. of N. Y. Erening Post.