Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-10-16

The Chicago Tines don't h1,,iteye in the west
ern fashion OF rotan--g old and efficient mem
hers OF CongrsCs out of Ofi.e and giving their
places " ambitious greeuhOrns. In this con-
lee'lOu II says that, We are not accustomed to
fave a tailOr's apprentice to cut our clothes, or
An architectural tyrO TO build our houses and
wants to know whether the laws Of the country
are of less account than coats or houses tn At we
must always put green hands at making them
There Is a disposition in some quarters 10
ceDsuTe the Postmaster General for the failure
OF the supply or stamped envelopes and news
paper wrappers, but those who blame him do
50 without fun knOWIedge of the facts. Under
the circumstances the delay was quite unavOid-
able. Had the FIRST bids for the work been
found regular and the contract been awarded,
10 DELAY would probably have occurred. AS il
was, however, all OF the bids we're thrown out
by acting Postmaster General Marshall, under
the advice OF the law officer OF the department,
Judge Spence, Assistant Attorney General, and
a new advertisement for proposals became
necessary, which, in accordance with the law
on the subject, Was published for four weeks.
The seco-d opening Of bids took place on the
18th OF September, but owing 10 the necessity Of
investigating the responsibility of suspected
straw bidders, the award was not made until
the sd OF the same month. The new contractors
were thus allowed but ssvsn days in which to
complete their preparations for executing a
heavy contract. 10 is alleged IA At II would have
been utterly impossible for any trim not already
In possession OF the necessary dies and ms
chiuery 70 have completed their preparations
within 80 short a period, aud hence the Post
master General recognized this fact, and seeing
that reasonable delay must occur proposed to
enter into brief contract with the former
contractor 70 furnish the articles until the
Phmpton company Was ready 10 begin work.
THIS proposition the former contractor, Mr.
Resy, OF New York, declined to entertain on
the ground that he was the next OTest bidder
and entitled 10 the contract OF the ground that
the parties receiving IL hal failed to begin the
oehVery OF envelopes on the LIST OF the present
month. The Postmaster General, even were
ne 80 disposed, is prevented from taxing the
contract from the PnmptOn company and oivtny
IL 70 the next lowest bidder by an act of Con
gress passed In 1872, and referred to in YES
terday's STAR His only course, than
would seem to be, should the present con-
tractors after a reasonable time fail to be-
gin work, TO enter suit against the Company
and its sureties for damages, and advertiss
Tor new proposals kince the law in question evi.
Gently does not contemplate the annuIling OF q
coHtract already m ade and the giving 1t to the
ssKt lowest bidder. The Postmaster General
lakes the view that II IL much more to the in
fsrests OF the government to give the new con-
tractors reasonable opportunity 10 fulfill their
contract than IL would be 70 annuI IL and re-
advertise Tor proposals. This would occasion a
Delay OF four weeks, which, added to A reason
aole ume 70 be given the contractor, would
leave the public without stamped envelopes for
81 least two months to come. The delav In ths
resent case, II unfortunate, seems unayold able
GLder the circumstances.