The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-07-20
Mr.. Wtig's Agent Backs Outl

Mr.. Wtir's Agent Backs Outl
We have already given the history
of the Water Works Contract p retty
fully, but this morning are able to
Law before our readers still another
and very interesting chapter of that
very interesting and expensive trans
action.
re cannot be forgotten that the
Water Works Committee contracted
with Mr.. William G. Weir without
advertising for proposals, or affording
any opportunity whatever for com
petion. Several firms, among 9TH
ers Dennis Long, Of louisville. and
William Smith. Of Pittsburg, we're
anxious to obtain the job, and ex
uected to bid on it. Mr.. Long visited
our city for that purpose, but soon
found that it was more to his inter
est to make a private arrangement
with Mr.. Weir. than to offer bid di-
rect to the city. The contract was
drawn up in secret, and crowded
through the Council, on the same
eveningit was presented, without al
lowing an opportunity for criticism or
even inspection. This was an un-
heard of proceeding, and without
precedent in the history of the city.
Some Of the details of the contract
We have already criticised, and shall
still further comment on them at orr
leisure.
On the 10Th inst, Mr.. Smith, of
Pittsburg, arrived in our city for the
purpose of bidding on the job. but
found that be was anticipated BY the
'Arfng" management to which we have
continually objected. Mr.. Smith
then wrote out and published in the
papers, the following advertisement:
TO the Tax Payers oftho City OF Evans
willie, Indiana:
The undersigned having visited your
city for the purpose oi bidding upon the
Water Works about being built, was as
tonished TO find. contrary to all precedent,
that the contract had been awardedswith-
out ad vertisiDg or inviting bids from the
manufact urers of pipes or pumping ma
chinery; and he desires now to state
that he Will agree to Furnish all pipes
branches valves, fire hydrantS, well, en-
pines building, anu every thing specified
IN the pubIished contract, in a com pIete
and work manlike manner, for twenty
fhousand dollars less than the sum at
which the contract was awarded, or he
can furnish the same with pipe OF q thick
ness that will stand all tests required by
the contract for forty thousand dollars less
than awarded IN said contrast.
WM. SMITH,
National Foundry and Pipe Works, Pitts
burg, Pa.
This advertisement, of course, pro
duced hutteIipg among the conspira
tors, and they at once set all theil
clacquers at his heels, asserting that
he could not compete with Dennis
Long, and that he simply was blow
log" concerning a contract which was
already settled. Still, the impression
upon the minds of the people by th'
straight forward proposition was no
to be removed by mere twaddle, am
so a game of bluff was resorted to, a
set forth in the following dispatcl
from Mr.. Weir:
CINCINEATI, July l3.
Editors Daily Journal:
have just seen VIM. Smiths card Il
the JoURNAL of the 1ltn. 1 will accep
elmer pIoposition-number one at niue
teen thousand, or number two at thirty
nine fhouFaDd dollars. i will be in EV
apsyflIe. 10 close the contract with him o.
the above basis, on and after Wednesday
July Goth. VIM. c. WErs.
On being notified Of the content
Of Mr.. Weir's dispatch. Mr.. Smith q
once signifed bis intention of beiD
on hand at the time specified. an
making good his proposition. Az
cordipgly he reached the city on Nor
day. aud has been here ever sine
Mr.. Weir, So far, has failed to put
an appearance. 1t was understood
however, yesterday that DR.. Cushir
was authorized to act as his egen
circumstances unavoidably preven
ing Mr.. Weir's presence at this tim
On ascertainiDg this fact. and tht
DR.. Gushing was fully empowered
act in the premises, Mr.. Smith ye
terday evening submitted to tn
gentleman, in writing, the followir
proposition:
EVANSVILLE, July z, 1870.
Wr. Hna. G. Weir Having Sc,
IN the city papers, your card addres
ed to the editors thereof, under da
18th inst. accepting either propos
tion made by me 10 card previous
published ia said papers, 10 the I
payers Of the City of Evansville, n
one at nineteen thousand dollars,
No. two at thirty nine thousand d.
lars, | am now here ready 30 col
pete the arTar cement with you.
Upon your assignment and tTans1
OF your contract to me. with the CO
sent and approval Of the City Counc
and its agreement to become respon
Bile to me for the payment of t
money, which by said contract it is
pay you, at the time and 10 the ma
ner therein Specified, | hereby pl
pose to execute to you my bond vi
satisfactory security, to pay you 81
$4,000 as the sa ame shall be paid
by the city; that is, upon receipt
avery semi. monthly asiimafa prnv