Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-06-26

D Liz az GU ~
! hazards. At the meeting Of the board
| on Monday, he stated that the lowest
bidders, Messrs. Hopper q Montgomery
were prepared to give the proper bonds
| at that meeting the mayor had been
called upon and prOdueed figures which
/ did not tally with the correct calculation.
In view OF the magnitude of the qUes-
| ton, he could not see for a moment how
apvuuestian could arise as to who should
/ have the contract he could not with a
fair face meet one Of his constituents
I after having given away 50 many tlOu5-
ands Of the peoples money; there was no
Justice in such actions, and he for one was
| determined to do his duty honestly and
fairly. A great deal of wire pulling had
been INDUCED in. Messrs, Greenlaw &
| Jones had never put in a proper bid, and
had &c not been for their great wealth he
/ doubted whether they ever would have
entertained their bid. The state
meut of the chairman Of the hnanee
| committee that if the differ
ence was fifty thousand dollars
I he would still give it to them" but he
MT. p never could vote to make a
present &c those gentlemen Of so much
money.
Alderman Townsend denied that there
] Lau AEEA aAE cIAANN1LlEAt4- -
This was purely a financial scheme, and
/ this was not a scheme gotten up so much
to improve the streets Of the city as 1t
was to ease the finances. lie stated that
the city had for some time been at the
mercy of Messrs. Greenlaw & Jones.
They had come 10 the rescue when ali
others had failed. Many persons desired
I that they should get the contract, as
/ thev thought the work would be pushed
through. He thought 81 $50 % a small
matter in detail, as 1924 did not amount TO
much when he examined the bids. He
cared nothing for security the retaining
Of a portion Of the money was q better
guarantee than personal security,
Alderman Boiling thought that the
entertainment of the idea of giving a
contract to other than the lowest bidder
was simply ridiculous. To listen to state
ments made one would suppose that the
city belonged to Messrs. GreenlaW and
Jones. If so We had better sell out to
these gentlemen. He had been informed
1 thar on a former occasion these wealthy
gentlemen had threatened to enjOin the
city If a contract was not given to the
lowest bidder. He cared n0t who
the parties were nor where they came
from, he was in favor OF giving the
] EELAAACE ~ AIC A0HE ~A hiaAAEAF BAbf AACA
/ they could give the proper bonds. He
knew nothing of the parties. He felt
/ interested alone for the citizens of Mem
I phis, ard he ueverwo6p4 vote to sEcrifisf
S23, 900 Of the peoples money. nat
4 communication was read sh--
Messrs. Hopper & Montgomery, dh the
Z that they nwere prepared to 8 II
| proper bonds. and accOmpanieI
assurance tb@t the bonds w6Eam VHs1;T
thrown on tip market.
Alderman 10 6gers XSFSned for the re-
spOnsibility 81 %. 6teph mitchell, one
nication. pms
SAlderm Il Lynn said that the time
XAl E when this board must either
imne or condemn the action Of the
AT aL.r committee. He favored the
ycsQg OF the contract to Greenlaw &
d JOKES An the ground that they were
perfectly reliable. He did not wish
10 reflect on the character of Messrs.
Hopper and Montgomery, but be
did not believe them 20 be reliable ia
so large a contract. He had cOnversed
with several of the leading bankers, and
| they favored the action Of the finance
! committee. If the contract was given
to Hopper g. Montgomery, city scrip
would 90 down within the next forty
| eight hours. He proposed to 90 in this
matter as if it were a private affair, and
would legislate only for the public good.
| He gaSapitas his opinion that if the con-
fasIcT was not awarded to MessTs. Green
law g Jones, the finances Of the city
were gone beyond the hope of redemp-
| ton. and 90 give it to them would
be worth to the city Over ha
a million Of dollars during the next Ht
teen years. He wanted the board &c
study wen, and be careful how they
actediu this matter. AS for the matter OF
security. while he wanted no better secu-
rity than Greenlaw & Jones, these gen
tIemen were prepared to give the best
I bonds to be found in the city. The whole
/ financial prosperity of the city depended
upon the adoption of the report Of the
finance committee.
Alderman Passmore said that the mere
assertion Of the alderman Of the fourth
ward that Hopper & Montgomery we're
not responsible, did not make il so. lie
asked for the proof. 1t was a serious
accusation to make. The fact tia
| Greenlaw & Jones had aided the city vas
no reason why they should Re
eeive 80 large 3 sum for moth
ing. When these gentlemen went OF
the bonds Of the city, they were more
than secured. The Messrs. Hopper q
Montgomery were just as responsible as
the other parties, and he called upon
members to be consistent for once. The
former contract was given to Taylor, Me
Balm & Co., not because they were OLD
citizens or wealthy men, but because they
were able to give good security. He die
not believe in giving thecOntraets TO pets
! IL af,a1 All, GAW fha WfnhNaDF Nha ga,plo
The specifications did not call for bu.
fifteen thousand dollars bonds on each
street, and that the parties were ready
and willing to give, and more, too, i
necessary. There were only two legal
bids before the committee. Messrs.
Greenlaw & Jones had never complied
with the Requirements of the board
Hopper d Montgomery had q beJtel
commercial standing in the community
than Messrs. Taylor & McBain had wheI
a former contract was given to them anC
he saw no reason now WHY the same
course should not be pursued and tht
contract should be given to the lowest
bidder. He conceived it to be the duty
OF the board, and a very solemn one, t
give this work to the meR who would d.
It the cheapest and give the proper
bonds. Property holders had also com,
to him and approved Of his course in thi
matter and he should strenuously uphold
the interests of the tax. paying citizens
in this matter, and was willing to abidt
by the issue.
Alderman Amis claimed that as {
member of the board he had 3 perfee.
right to interfere with the actions of tn,
finance committee. He did not believ,
that the man who made greenbacki
could equal them in the manner il
which they had disposed of city scrip K
pay of the city Indebtedness. It was
grand achievement worthy of the frs
financiers of the age.
Alderman Smith said that while d,
ma presumed to doubt the capacity O
Messrs. Greenlaw & Jones, he was il
favor Of giving the contract to those, u,
matter how poor they were, provide,
they could give the proper security. |
was the duty OF the board TO award then
the contract. He never would consen
to vote away thousands of dollars of tn,
public money for nothing. He desire,
that every member Of the board shoult
record bis vote knowingly in the matter
and let the taxpayers know just wter,
their representatives stood. He did no
want any privacy in a matter wher,
such heavy interests were involved. FL,
had consulted with property holders oI
this subject, and the opinion of thos,
gentlemen was that the lowest bidder
should have the work. He should reeers
his vote in favor Of giving the work I,
Hopper & Montgomery.
Alderman Powers would be glad {,
learn from any member Of the boar,
how be could consistently vote agains
giving the work to the lowest bidder
He proposed to be consistent; be hat
voted for the lowest bidder before, ans
he would DO so again.
Alderman O'Donnell said he wonl,
record his vote in favor Of the loves