The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-13

A specid, meeting of the City Council
will be held this evening to take into con-
sideration the subject of the recent letting of
a contract to Messrs. Tanner q Co., by the city
authorities for the construction of gas-holders.
As there has been considerable stir on this
subject on the part of certain manufacturers,
we have taken some pains to gather what the
facts really were. 1t is well known that the
mechanics of Richmond, Jealous, and very
properly go, Of their reputation as skilled
workmen, and desirous of keeping the greatest
possible number in employ ment, raised cry
against the effort being made by the manufac-
turers of other cities to obtain contracts for the
above and other contemplated work, in which
effort, it was supposed, they were being aided
by certain of our officials.
The Committee on Light, in order to show
their willingness to give the manufacturers the
preference over foreign companies, advertised
that they woudpay to the manufacturers ofour
city for the work proposed to be done, (the
gas holders,) price ten per cent. higher than
the manufacturers of Baltimore, Philadelphia
or New York would do the same work for.
This was certainly very generous offer on
the part of the committee, and was promptly
responded to in the shape of bids from almost
every manufacturer in the city. Among the
bids we're found six different ones from the
firm of Tanner & Co., embracing six different
plans at different prices. One of these bids
proved to be the lowest received, while anoth-
er was the highest. The committee, after
.protracted aud laborous session of five hours
duration, concluded to combine two of the
plans submitted by Messrs. Tanner & Co. and
fix price for the work. This proposition Of
| the committee was submitted to the Council
On Monday evening last, and was unanimously
| ratified.
We learn now that the firms of Joseph R.
! Anderson Il Co. and Talbot Sons have made a
| protest against the award as made, which they
propose to file with the Council at the special
session called for this evening. 1t would seem,
| from all the facts of which we are in posses
| sion, that the Council aud their committee
have acted wisely and literally in the matter,
| and that the dissatisfaction evinced by the two
old firms named at the good fortune of their
more youthful aud consequently more enter
prising competitors, is in very bad taste, to say
the least. We cannot believe there has been
any injustice inflicted by the Council on any
parties; but as the matter is to be made the
subject of a special session, let all the facts be
shown, and justice meted out where it is due.
Police Oourt.-The following cases were
disposed of by Police Justice White this
morning:
Charles Blake. for stealing one coat of the
value of $s, the property of John Q. Ream
was sent on tor trial.
Jas. Breeder, charged with being vagrant
and with trespassing on the premises of j. l.
Cox, and also with being suspicious char
acter, was sent 10 Jalt ior SIX montnsy IN deiaul
of security for good behavior.
Elizabeth Jones, charged with unlawfully
abusing and threatening Jack johnson anc
using profane language in the streets, wa
required to pay fine of 81.
Eliza Carter, for stealing lead pipe, the pro
perty of A. ID. Exall, was sent on for trial.
Moses Branch, colored, for throwing rock
and cursing in the streets, was sent to th
chain-gang.
The following parties charged with trivia
offences, were discharged: Mary Norris
Mansfield Adams, Jack johnson, Arthur Fer
guson, all coored. and Mrgaret Doyle, an
Mary Jane Purcell.