The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-01

OF our ablest architects and most reliable
builders. at considerable expense and labor
furnished the committee with excellent
ana well-prepared plans and specifications,
and In accordance with the requirements
OF the call, banded in their sealed propo-
sails at ?. M. Saturday, the 25th inst,
In the expectation that due consideration
would be given them, and that at least af-
ter the plans and bids were opened, a
public inspection could be had of them,
before hasty and final disposition would
be made.
Little did these honest and hard work.
Ing citizens aud mechanics suspect that
their labor and studies would be disposed
OF IN such a summary and peremptory
manner, without even allowing the dawn
OF another day to shine upon the august
com mmlttee, the curtain had to be lifted
from the eyes of the unsuspecting parties,
and the design, as might have been ex-
pected, awarded to their favorite City En-
gineer. Had the matter ended there, it
would in all probability have passed away
without attracting public attention. But
the actions of the magnanimous committee
needed no accuser they did it themselves
in the whitewashug process of the farce
enacted on Wednesday evening last, by
summoning number of respectable me-
chanics before select committee of the
council, composed of one member from
each ward, with Horace L. Kent, ESQ, as
chairman, and well did he perform his
task | have no doubt that for the valua-
BILE services of this committee they will
earn the compensation OF reelection next
May by the Richmond mechanics T.
And, although charges were preferred
by Mr.. Powell against the City Engineer,
incompetency brought out by Mr.. William
Gibson, and contradiction of the purported |
accusation made by the Engineer against
the mechanics defed by Mr. George
Gibson, all amounted to nothing in the
eyes of the Chairman of the Select Com
mitteo, who seemed to place more cre-
fence in the statement of the Chairman
Df the Building Committee, who asserted
hat the lowest bid for the proposed build
ngs was S22, 900 and the highest S25 900
piece; when your informant knows,
and is able to substantiate by the report,
plans and specifications as yet in possess
sion OF that immaculate committee, that
well-kpowu, reliable architectural firm
n this city, whose entire competency
cannot be doubted, offered to put up the
buildings, according to the latest. most
approved, serviceable and substantial
manner, for the modest sum of S1e. 100
'ach-( figures scon't lie)-well ventilated.
ire-proof, easy Of ingress and egress, and
n every manner well studied for the con-
'enience and health of both the teachers
md pupils How is this, Mr.. Moses
Did you emerge from the vilderness when
ou made your statement? You must
ave certainly departed for once, from the
sachings of your namesake of old
am not writing this ia the interest of
ny one person, or of party l am neither
n architect nor builder, nor have l any
Twill against any man | am no enemy
Captain Dimmock; | have nothing in
erogation of that gentleman, and would c
OF be willing, under any circumstances, e
wrong him. Far from it, If his plans I
nd specifications, which have not seen, 9
re the best, most economical and bene6- :
al, as well for the safety and convenience Q
the teachers and pupils as for the pock- t
$ OF the taxpayers, he ought to receive !
10 reward of his merit, and no doubt
ould receive it from just and enlight-
led public, without any undue haste, as
ems to have been the case. The
Unions OF the bone and sinew of the me- d.
opoliAought to have due weight and re- te
ect, and particularly from the men who =,
9 the Servants of the people. " "
A CITIZEN. "