New-York tribune., 1873-02-27
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
FRESH VIEWS ON CURRENT THEMES.
BIDS FOR POSTAL CARDS.


70 "a, gditor Of The Tribune.
SIR: On the eth of this month the proposals
cor the production and delivery OF 1oOooOOeO postal
cards will be opened aud the award subsequently made
hy eneral Creswol Roughly stated, the
contract for this years work involves about s25o
In the interest ot the many honest bidders who have
no inside influence, and who want none, commend 10
your critical attention the advertisement asking Tor
these proposals. saying that tho result decided
far tho good will and support OF the Department
could decide It, before the advertisement was printed
am Only stating what believe to be the opinion OF many
whose experience In Washington has added 10 theT
wisdom. Estimating and bidding are very expensive
work, much n ore than tho general public believe
In the present vcntureto assert that all the pos
sbe profits Of the first will be expended by the
woudbe contractors Jointly before the bids are opened
Thcsc persons the most part the solid producers and
manufacturers of the country have some rights which
officials should learn TO respect AS the fearless adve
cate fair dealing, let therefore call on you to ex
anime into the stpuatons OF the advertisement; 10
watch the award OF the contract TO whom 1t Is geh'
and for what reasons And in justice to the losing bid
ders to insist upon its full, thorough, and exact ful-
fnment at all times throughout the years following
say "years for this largo contract which in the hands
OF an unsatisfactory man can be terminated at INC
end of twelve months may be held by one with suclent
capital who understands his business almost nden-
nitely
W,
stipulations viii be relaxed II the right man gets the
vork9 And the next is, how far has the Postohee
posted him on this pointi
Is this Department always going pay forbond paper
stocks "tho ber beaten out long" for card subject to
no wear and teari
Is the card TO have water-mark or notf why does
not the Postmaster-G General make up his mindf
How often is he going to have the design Dies ros
plates oolors, and waermarks" changed at the con
tractors eXpcnsef
How often the OF year is he going to de-
nand all these things delivered up in good working
order" exacng punctual delivery of the cards at the
same time2
Why must a good csrdbox be protected " with cloth
glued on the edges and cOrnersV - Is this thought neeeS-
sary at tie Treasury for currency boxcsi
Why is the contractor forced print from fiat form
OF Sc cards-nO more, no leSsf
How about that "agent Of the Department and his
CLERKS 2" Has he good deal of power Will he not
be a costly appendagei
What sort OF a contract is it when one OF the parties
retains the option to annul ~ at his will leaving himself
unboHnd and irresponsible
Why the large security of 100000 demanded to
guard the Government against the loss caused by bd
dcrs declining enter into the agreement at the last
moment Does the Department intend to exact the
forfeiture Of this sum in eycrylcasof
These questions arc enough for the present forward
them TO yOa now so that 10 one shall say after the
battle that they come from disappointed bidder. II
sou could rcaz, the difficulty Of getting information
from the Department you would that my letter is
not without an object. have hesitation in saying
and say boldly, that the advertisement in question
indicates either want Of want of honest pur-
pose, both Yours, truly, A. b.
Washington d. c., Feb. q, 1879.