Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-05-25
violstion Of Corporation LAWS and
the Laws Of Cong ress by Sayles j.
Bowen.

On page 232 OF Webs Digest may be found
the following law, viz:
''It shall be the duty of the Commissioners re-
speCtyely, under the direction and with the
consent Of the Mayor, TO contract for any and
all Improvements for which appropriations may
or shall have been made, when the appropri-
ten days public notice; the work to be given to
the lowest competent bidder"
This law has been deliberately violated by
Sayles j. Bowen i. the following instances, viz:
LIST. By contracting with Delaware Hudnell to
grade and gravel p street north, from 18th street
west to the eastern boundary, for Is cents for
grading and 10 cents for graveling. This work
was not advertised, and was let privately by the
Mayor for at least five cents per yard more than
IL would have cost If 1t had been advertised and
let to the lowest competent bidder. The Sur
yeyors original estimate was $500. During
the progress Of the work and after its compile
ton there was three deficiency bills passed-one
Of s9,115.2O, one of S5,342.55, and of $500
making total of s2O,I57.T3, or nearly four
times the original estimate.
I'd BY contracting privately, without adver-
Using, with Henry Burch to grade and gravel
2lst street west, from Pennsylvania avenue to
Boundary street, at IS cents for grading and
grayeling. The act authorizing this work re-
quired il TO be done by days work. The appro-
priation was - 900. Himber, the Commissioner,
used up the whole appropriation on two squares.
when the Mayor took the work from him and
let it out to Bureh, the contract providing that
il should be paid for in bonds. The work was
finished about the time the Donovan investiga-
ton commenced. The Mayor became fright
ened from fear of exposure before the grand
jury, and paid Burch in cash; making four
instances in which the law was violated ON this
woIk-lst, by letting the work out by contract,
work; 2d, by letting il out privately, without
advertising; Sd, by paying for the work in cash,
when the contract required it to be paid for in
bonds; ith, by violating the act of Congress, in
agreeing 10 pay for new work in bonds, when
the law requires that these bonds shall only be
paid to hquidate the debts due when Mr. Bowen
entered upon Office.
Sd. BY contracting privately, and without adj
yertsing, with Patrick Cullnane to grade and
gravel street south, from 9TH street west TO 5th
street east, agreeing to pay for the same in
bonds.
4th. By Contracting privately, and without adj
yertising, with Patrick Cullinane to grade and
gravel street south, the work to be paid for in
bonds.
9Th. BY contracting privately, and without ad-
yertisiDg, with Peter Mcnamara to grade and
gravel 1st street west, the work to be paid for in
bonds.
9Th. BY contracting privately, and without ad-
vertisng with stephen I atty to grade and gravel
1 street north, from New Jersey avenue to lst
street east, for the sum Of g, 200, or about .
cents per yard.
9TH. BY contracting with Nelson G.. Reynolds
TO build a sewer in Hog Alley, from ii street to
BOwen's stable, without any act of Councils
authorizing the work, and without advertising
AZ.
sth. By erecting a gas lamp in Hog Alley, in
the rear Of Mr.. Bowen's stable, this being the
nr11x- oil IN.
being 10 law authorizing the same.
9Th. By letting out i've Of the seven yearly
ward contracts to men who are not practical
PAYERS, the law requiring him TO award these
contracts only to practical PAYERS.
The above are only few of the many haH ant
violations Of law on the part Of the Mayor.
They show that he has violated the laws of the
Corporation in fifteen different instances and
that he has violated the laws OF Congress by
paying out city bonds for new work done under
his own administration in four different in
stances.