Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-09-27

On the Gth day Of July, 1860, the County
Judge and Drainage Commissioner of the
County of Muscatinc proceeded to let to the
lowest bidder, according TO law, She drainage,
of certain swamp lands situate in townships
u.s. 4 and Sol range and west, - miles
from Musaatinc, in comparatively uninhab-
tied part Of the county. The contract called
indirectly for the removal of 10000 cubic
yards of prairie sod and soil, and the payment
from the swamp land fund of the county of
about $4,000. The time set for the accom-
plishment ofthis work was the 30th day of
September, 1860, only II days from the date
of the contract, after dcducting 10 Sundays
only 81 days, after deducting ten days
for bad weather, only 81 days and after deduct
ing Il days for hiring and collecting hands,
hauling lumber and building boarding houses
only 81 days from the date of the contract
Parties who desired the contract informed the
officers who, under the law, were charged
with its letting, that if the time for the COM
pletion of the work was extended to reason
able limit, the work could be done for two or
three cents less on the yard, but the Judge
and Drainage Commissioner did not think
proper to extend the time.
They were then asked for verbal assurance
that the contract would be extended, provided,
after using due diligence, the contractor failed
to complete the work within the given time,
but the powers that be were memorable These
would-be contractors were informed that if the
contract was not complied with, the bonds Of
the contractors should be declared forfeited
and suit brought on the same to recover dam
ages for noncompliance, according to law.
Under these circumstances, bidders were
shy, except one Daniel Harrigan, who took
the contract without scruple, at 81 and 10
cents per yard, went leisurely at the work,
never employing hands enough on any one
day to complete the work within the given
lime; indeed, so leisurely has this work pro-
crossed that, as l believe, it is not finished up
to this date, the contract having been extend
ed by the Drainage Commissioner to suit the
convenience Of the contractor.
Is it not strange that this contract was let
with but 81 good working days between its
date and its maturity? Is it not passing
strange that the contractor should use no ade-
quate diligence to perform his written agree
mcnt? But these vagaries vanish like fog
before the rising sun, when it is known that
Mr.. Harrigan is the same who keeps, or did
keep, a grocery on the corner of Third
street and Iowa Avenue, is per
sonal friend of the Judge and the Swamp
Land Commissioner, voted for them, ard as
sisted materially in procuring their election.
What motive could have induced the short
limit of time for the completion of the drain
age referred to, except it be the staving of of
all reasonable bids except the fayorite? What
could induce the contractor to refrain from all
suitable efforts to complete the work within
the given time, except it be private under.
standing, (probably dating back to the fall
election Of 1859 that this contract should be
extended to suit his convenience.
Taxpayers of Muscatine county, call up
on you to look through this flimsy covering of
rags and ink, in the shape of legal contract
and below you will see bright shining DEM
ocratic axe, newly ground, you yourselves
having paid at least $500 for the circular
work. JOSEPH CRANE.
LAKE TOWNSHIP, Sept. Is, 1861.