Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-20
BROKEN STONE.
More About Those .DIsaIIowed Ae-
counts

In z brief conversation between a UNION
AND AMERICAN reporter and Alderman
McGavOck, yesterday, the latter remarked
as follows concerning the broken stone &C.
counts disallOwed at the last meeting Of
his Board:
My objections to the allowance of the
stone ACCOUNTS, were purely legal; and my
opposition TO their payment, was actuated
solely by what l deemed to be the proper
construction of an ordinance passed by the
City Council, regulating the manner OF
purchase. The act referred to, required the
Street Committee to advertise for sealed
proposals to furnish the city with 100000
bushels OF broken stone. The commit
tee, through their chairman, did make
such advertisement. The bids were
received and opened by the committee, and
the only one in compliance with the ad-
vertisement, was that of MeSSrs. Copeland
& Co., which was as low as any other bid
made. / then moved that the committee
award the contract TO Copeland & Co.
This motion met with strong opposition,
the reasons assigned by the oppoSers being
based on different construction of the act
and an indispositiOn to award the contract
TO one firm. On the vote being taken, it
stood tie. AT subsequent meetings Of the
Street Committee the question was
freely debated, but no result at
tanned, the chairman informing the
committee from time to time that a sup
ply of broken stone was absolutely
necessary, and that if the committee
did not take some definite action, he be-
lieved it to be his duty to have the neees-
sary supply obtained. The chairman,
pending the INDIGESTION of the committee,
and at the instance of several members of
the committee (out of SESSION., did direct
the City Engineer to proceed and measure
the stone in question. At the last regular
meeting of the committee preceding that of
the Council, these several claims for stone
were presented, and, after much discussion,
were rejected. On the following day
the chairman called the committee
together, and the stone accounts were
recommended for payment. They were then
transmitted to the Finance Committee. and
by il also recommended for payment. The
accounts were then embodied in the regu
lar report Of the Finance Committee, and
forwarded to the City Council, with what
result is well known.
As | have stated, my objections to these
manner in which they were created.
could have none other, as l have the ut
most confidence in the integrity of the
Chairman of the Street Committee, and be-
lieve him incapable of any intentional
wrong. HUGH MCGAyocK.
From member of the Board of Com
mon Council, the following statement as to
the inside workings of the municipal
machine was obtained:
'.After the bill authorizing the use of
gravel upon the streets had passed the
City Council, the Street Committee was
called together, and upon statement of
the Chairman, that there was urgent and
need ofsome, motion was made
and carried, notwithstanding it was bitter
ly opposed by one member, directing the
Chairman to contract for all the gravel |
needed by the city for two months, at 81 10
per .'undred bushels.
"At a meeting held the next day, with a |
larger attendance of members, this motion |
was rescinded and the Chairman directed |
% advertise for bids to supply the city with |
broken stone and gravel. The Chairman /
protested against this action, stating that he
rad already made a verbal contract with
AIr. w. r. Dale in compliance with the
Instructions of the Committee on the day
'efOre for gravel at S1.15.
Nevertheless, advertisements appeared
II the daily papers, and number of bids
anne before the Committee. Alter Skin
nishing over them at three or four meet
ngs, the contract was finally awarded to
DIR. Dale, to supply the city with gravel
Turing the present municipal year at 81 80
er hundred bushels, delivered in boats at
he wharf, although the lowest bid Was
1.45."