Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-07-09

ter as he would in transacting his own
private business; he was giving work to
experieaced instead of inexperienced work
men.
Mr.. Abby expressed similar views with
regard to his sympathies being with the
Staunton bidders.
Mr. Grattan said that while one bid was
for $4,000 and another for $4,000, both
being on the same plans and specifications,
ON contract in which the Council had the
power to see that the work was properly
executed, he felt constrained to recon-
ment the lowest bid. If the work is well
done, and the Council has the power to see
that it is well. done, l can't see that it
makes any difference who does it, and
there is considerable difference between
paying 900 and paying $4,000.
Mr.. Abby said there was considerable
difference between thing being done and
being done well. He had understood that
the reservoir could be made with one class
of work at one-tIird less than it could be
made with frst-class work.
Mr.. Evans stated in illustration of the
Importance of a contract where there
would be no further calls on the city. that
Richmond now had water-works progress
ing on which she had already paid $751;
600, and now had to pay Sl5o,0oo more.
Mr. Burke-I understand then, that. on
the whole, the committee thinks that the
800 900 bid is, in the end, the best for the
city.
Mr.. Eyans-We do; and we believe the
outcome of the whole matter will show it.
MORE SPECIFIC REPORT WANTED.
Mr.. Echols thought that in matter of
stch heavy expenditure of the city's
money and where interests of such magni-
tude were involved, the committee should
have made written report giving in
detail the reasons which moved them to
recommend the highest bid, and which
they expected to move the Council to its
adoption. Besides this the report should
have included the land damages and the
water right damages. They have done
nothing that we can see but hand i'll the
contract and specifications and recommend
that the highest bid be accepted.
l..
that we were to make bargains for the
land and water rights.
Mr.. Echols-But, Mr.. Grattan, we did
expect the committee to do something
more than make mere verbal report on
so important matter.
Mr.. Grattan-We have done so. Our
duty was understood to be, and our in
structiolfs by resolution Of the Council
were to the effect that we were to contract
for the building of the works. We pre-
sent you in writing the plans, specifca-
lions of your City Engineer, the contracts
which have been looked at by your City
Attorney, and three bids to do the work,
with two recommendations from the CON-
mittee with regard to their acceptance.
Mr.. Echols-What is the opinion of the
City Attorney about the contract?
MI Grattan-Ah! he hasn't furnished
it to us in writing. We can't control the
City Attorney. 1t is as much as we can
do to manage the water-works.
REFERRING THE REPORT BACK.
Mr. Echols offered a resolution referring
the report back to the committee, with in
structions to give in writing in full the
opinions and reasons in the matter, and
the opinion of the City Attorney on the
contract.
Mr.. Alby-That amounts to an aban-
donment Of the whole matter.
Mr.. Grattan could see no reason for the
resolution. Messrs. Bickle and Witt, who
owned the land and water rights, and Maj.
Bell, who proposed to give the site for the
reservoir, were all in the Council room,
and the matter could be settled now.
WRITTEN REPORT PRODUCED.
Mr.. Abby called for the production Of a
report, which he said one of the committee
had.
Mr.. Evans read brief written report
of majority recommending the adoption
of the Hambleton bid s'for considerations
deemed inexpedient to MENTION
Mr.. Ecl,ols' resolution of reference was
then defeated-ayes 5, noes 6.
Mr.. Echols--Mr. Evans, do you think
the Messrs. Hambietons' bid is a reasona-
BILE one for the work? Mr.. Bicllle and my
self inquired at Norfolk about the works
they had erected there, and they had given
the greatest satisfaction. [ have the great
est confidence in these gentlemen, but the
price seems to me too great.
Mr. Alby-I have interviewed Mr.. Ham
bletosa in every direction (laughter), and
find he will not vary about the price. He
would not take the work if it was offered
him at $500 less than his bid.
THE TIME OF COMPLETION.
MI. Echols asked if any time had been
fixed in the contract for the completion of
the work.
Mr.. Evans said the execution of the
work depended SO much OR the weather
and other uncomfortable conditions, that
it was almost impossible to fix the time.
but the Messrs. Hambleton had promised
to fix Che matter SO that water would be
pumped into the city in five months from
that time, though the reservoir should not
he completed.
VOTING ON THE BILLS.
4 motion to substitute Mr.. Grattan s
minority report in favor of the lowest bid,
was defeated.
NIL. Evans then offered resolution ac-
cepting She bid of Hambleton Bros, and
authorizing the committee to make a con-
tract with them, which should not be of
effect until it is ratified by the Council.
This resolution was adopted by the follow
ing vote:
Ayes--Messrs. Abby, Bagby, Bickle,
Burke, Evans, Funkhouser, German, Graf
can and WITT.
Noes-Messrs Echols and Kayser.
The Council then adjourned at II O'Clock.