New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-04-28
INDIAN GOODS.
THE SPRING PURCHAsEs-OPbn,i.Nu%vVp
BY COMMISSIONER PARKER.

THE SPRING MISUNDERSTANDING r i"0
BY COMMISSIONER PAhhHN'
The advertisements OF the Cohiini9 -,
| Indian Affairs inviting sealed propos"S iO' -.
goods and supplies, have atuac'ed "'' - A. a.,
hor 90 h,dders than has been known pelole III tue
n''iYO a., rnreau Previous TO the adoption OF the
- - = ntter way OF dealing with the Indians adopted
=, th nresent Administration usually not more 'h'h
- 90 seven bidders ventured TO compete AT Washington
contracts were in those days awarded 10 the laVoreu
to One of the first measures of reform OF the e&s'h
I,dian Commission was to change the form OF
advertisements for proposals, so as to make
them in accordance with the well established
and sound commercial principles by which
alone fair and honorable bidders could OBTAIN
contract Now, awards made to the lowest Oiduer
for each article and not formerly on the basis OF the
total of the proposals for each class speced IN
the advertisement. The place OF epton OF proposals
and inspection Of samples also changed from wash
inGton to this CITY, The results became apparent last
Fall when the number OF bidders increased to 46 and
subsequently, most decided qualification was evnced
by the Indians ON the delivery OF tne goouS oOtn no
quality and quantity exciting favorable conintG ,
Nnety-two proposals were opened yesterday, lncIuiS
those OF business firms in NcwYOrk Phadelphia Bos-
ton, Baltimore, St. Louis, Newark ana orange, n. .,
QnakertOwn (near Philadelphia Bennington w. anu
The Executive Committee Of the Indian Commission,
consisting of GEORGE III. stuart OF Phadeipha Jon "
VIM L. Dodge of NewYork, are assigned by law TO me
supervision OF the opening of the ana OF e
purchasing OF GOODS ana supputh. ihcN mVI i"i
purpose at No. l03 Duane-st, yesterday at noon Inc
other members Of the Indian Commission were also pres
emit from time time during the day. The Secretary OF
the Interior was represented by Messrs Cox and DelO
of his Department About 100 PERSONS representing inc
various connecting firms remained during the four hours
or more occupied by the reading Of the proposals. .
Gen Parker read aloud each Of the proposals. as they
were taken from the box and Vincent Coyer secretary
OF the Commission, and Mr. Cox OF the Indian bureau
recorded them read item by item. The articles cael
for are blankets dry goods clothing, hardware snoes
tobacco etc prices at which the goods were OHee'
were stated to be generally below the current market
value. The Philadelphia bidders appeared to be CON
speueusy intent obtaining the contracts ana there
was large representation present from that city Inc
aggregate amount of the bids is about S5OOOOoO Inc
Commttee was highly pleased both with the number OF
bdsfnd the low prices at which goods was offered ITO
examination Of samples will begin this morning. and WI
continue for several days The samples accompanying
unsuccessful bids will be returned and those upon which
contracts are awarded will be held for comparison WIN
the goods furnished. The inspection will be rgd ana
impartial.
The proposals for supplies OF bacon -four sugar coffee,
ETC. viii &c opened May 90 at the same place IL mas
been decided that bidders for these articles may desg
in their proposals the place at when the supplies
shall be delivered and inspected This viii no doubt ne
gratifying intelligence to the Cincinnati, Chicago and
ST. Louis bidders who will furnish the greater part of
the supplies, they will be spared the risk and incon
yenenoe OF heavy shipments TO remote points on the
frontier.