Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-11-29
DRoPosALs FoR MAIL-LoCKs.
Po<r OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

Po<T OFFICE DEPATNEST,
sealed Proposals for furnishing Mail Locks and
keysof new kinds, to be substituted for the Locks
and Keys used the United States mails, will
The Sd DAY cf FEBRt1RY, $50 IL is desirable to
exclusive use of the United states mails and prac
,SS ny'a % sSs ,SF fSst hat 9 pgSe AS 1he
nation would impair, il not destroy, its utility Tor
bddeT bni 1T Ts far ne seleeon on the specneDs
If mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair com
Seiop IL is safcient TO describe the principal re-
quistes 1t Mail-LOck, as follows: Self Locking,
novelty OF construction, and facility Of use. Two
kinds Of Locks and Keys one OF brass and the other
struetion or arrangement are required; and prOpo-
sas should specify separately the price Of each brass
key for same. Duplicate samples Of each kind OF
Locks and Keys proposed are required to be submit
he rveted M and finished and another to be open or
unriyeted, that its internal structure and arrange
De plainly marked with the bidders name, and if the
sane or any part Of it be covered by patent, the
must also be attached thereto ''''0''''
The internal plan or arrangement OF the Locks Of
ered and the particular shape of the Key requisite
10 open them must not be like any now or heretofore
They must be warranted not TO infringe upon or
conflict with any patented invention OF which the
to Lock the Key Of which has not been exposed to
general observation or been publicly described dis
decision on the various specimens and proposals
viii be made or before the 81 day of MARCH,
IL for the interests Of the Department reject
all the Proposals and specimens submitted under this
him contracts will 6e entered into as so.n thereaf
Ter practicable with the successful bidder whose
and Keys Tor four years as they mas be required and
ordered. IL mutually agreed TO in ting by the
ing not less than SIX months befre its expiration.
the contract may be extended and continued for an
expiration Of either term OF the contract, and
after It's righful annuiment at any time the Post
OTemPloy any other party TO furnish the same any
Other kind Il Locks and Keys and if he shall deem
isufiing contractor ali finished or unfinished Keys
and the internal parts Of the Locks eontTacted for
Bile others 10 make or forge such Loci or Keys in
the possession Of such contractor, who, after their
surrender TO the Department shall be paid for the
SANE al suc h price as may De aseertaIned by fair
The contractor must agree and be able to furnish
y required and ordered. O0oO Brass Locks and 5000
IeriBg INTO contract, and soo0 Iron Locks and 6DOo
Iron hey within ten months from such time But
crease or diminish the wants or interests 0f the
s@TVice may demand the quantities OF the Locks and
al fiuns 10 furnish them
All the Locks furnished by the contractor must be
warranted to keep in good working order for two
years in the ordinary use Of the service, when not
subjected 70 Obvious violence; such a become de
Locks without charge. All the D6eks furnished un-
NJ, ;,I - E or risi Itteys and ali the
hey 20 be numbered in the natural order; each
key having its appropriate number distinctly stamped
upOn side Of the bow and u. >. Mail On the
opposite side
at his own expense at the Post Office Department,
Washington. ID. G., put up on sticks, forming sepa
bundles Of fve Locks each. and securely packed
in wooden boxes, containing not more than two hun
dred Locks each The Keys are to be delivered TO
agent Of the Department duly and specially author
lied in each case to take charge of and convey the
same from the contractors manutactory 20 the De
partlnent, here both Locks and KEYS TO be in
fpecfed and approved before they shall be paid for.
The contractor will be required 20 give bond with
he forfeited the United States as iquidated dam
in of his failure % faithfully perform the
contract either furnishing the supplies ordered
within a reasonable time a. 20 guarding the man
ufacture of the Mail Locks and Keys with due pri-
No proposal viii therefore be accepted il not &C
companied with bond Of the penal sum OF Twenty
Thousand Dollars, duly executed by the proposed
sureties, hose responsibility must be certified by
Judge Of Court Of Record nearest to their place Of
residence attested by the Clerk of such Court under
the seal thereof and conditional for their becoming
responsible surctles the required bond Tor the
fulfllment Of the contract, in case snch Proposal
shall be accepted The nlannfacture Of Mail Locks
icate trust which the Department will conhde to ne
bidder whose Proposals are not also accompanied
with testimonials OF good character.
In deciding the Proposals and specimens the
the Brass Lock Of one bidder and the Iron Lock of
another. He, therefore, reserves the right OF con
tracing with different individuals Tor such different
kinds Of Locks as he may select
Proposals should be carefully sealed and addressed
to the Second Assistant Postmaster General" and
JOHN A. j. CRESWELL,
&C Il VI lot Postmaster General.