New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-07-04
The Congregational LiSrsry Extensisn--
AnuslIins Of an Illegal Cenarscs-A
New One awarded by Secretary Hare


| Correspondence Of Tie N. i. Tribune
WASHINGTON. Satuir.a A. July !. 1853
Mr.. Harlan. thcnew secretary Of the Interior,
has just awarded contract for the extension Of
room of Library Of Congress. The history Of this
tranacton tail to be Interesting ut tits time.
Mr. Usher the late Secretary Of the Interior entered
into q contract tor this extension with one Charles
Fowler Of New.York one day before he expiration Of
, hs term OF office. for the sun af s6s.s0o
The law provides that no contract shall be awarded
by any of the ExecGtiie Departments Of the Govern
mon, for bor materials without first advertising for
bids &C.. thus afoling opportunity Tor full compc<i-
ton. This done by Mr.. Usher, but instead an
office letter directed to each OF different
parties inviting them to bid icr the work. -Four Of
them did 49, and Mr. Fowler being the lowest bidder.
obtained the contract.
Iswas by law made rho duty Of Senator colatner. a.
Chairman Of the Joint Committee OF the two Honscs Of
Congress on Library to approve the plans for this
tension This he dad with proris0 thst the expense
should not exceed the appropriation made for that pur'
pose But the amouu, contracted for by Mr. Usher did
exceed the appropriation $500.
The law declares that 10 contract shall I've made b.
sny Departments Of the Government Tor which there 70
not al appropriation the time sufficient for Its fulfill
men, The Gscal ye.r Of she United States tsgins in
July This appropriation not available until after
tina. date but the contract made May H. and con-
sequently. under the law. Void
For these and otter reasons, Mf. Harlan upon
sumre the duties 81 tie office. declared tie contract
void. and proceeded according to law. to contract
anew ~, tire work. Having duly advertised, and in all
matters followed the requirements OF the law lie viii IN
the ss day OF July execute contract With the lowest
responsible bidder under tie letting for the ~
eliC COO being sg3 eco below the amount for which
WIS awarded 10 M Fowler aad $4,000 less shan the
appTopriaton
M. Usher executed his contract on Friday. May H.
On Mondsy. the 18th, Mr. iilrIau. on entering upon
lis duties found the rool Of tue Library partially torn
off tho walls being torn down. and the work proceed
ING farousiy On the contract being declared void M
row ler pleaded for lcsvc proceed. hat he had CON-
megced to iulslI ,hs contract ey tearing down tho
6uld,nc. purchasing Ditsr!als &c. )
Tho Secretary replied that he regarded the matter A.
question Of Official du,y AID not as one Of harlship
OF inconvenience ~ the conractor,bat the Law. In LIE
J Judgment. lef HIT no discretion.
But 10 order tha, NI. Fowler may take deriinenf
from the vodng u his supposed contract the Secretary
has put the following conditions IN the contract wun
, tie new contractor.
The said contract i, hercbr awarded 10 YOU, On TIE
condition however that YOU obhgas yourself with sus
heleht srretics 10 complete Tho north wing OF sld TX.
tension by tie lat VI January next aid the whole ~
isid work complete and ready Tor use by the Isl %
April following, and will .tfy me that the parties -
DC employed by you TO execute tie iron work posscss
the fcltes 20 cVnrlete the as rapidly may Is
rsquiredi aud provided also that YOU will oblgats
yOcrso receive ut it's reasonable the iron AMI
other material now hand suitable for sal work. and
such material as may have beer furnished by Mr Fow
Ter under supposed former cnntrnot 10 crccutc the
same and also deduc. from saii $4,000 the rcasonA.
BILE cost Of work actually performed by said Fowo,
under said supposed coatract before it was declared
void"
The contract made by Mr. Usher liked no time ~
the completion OF the work. but viii 10 seea from tbs
extract above that Mr. Harlan has taken that prsesu
tOp.