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

ONE STEP NEAR Err TO A SUPPLY OF
| WATER-A BID ACCEPTED-NO TIME
SPECIFIED FOR THE COMPLETION OF
l. THE WORK-TWo sTAUNToN FIRMS AND
ONE FROM BALTIMORE BIDDERs-THE
HIGHEST FIGURE ACCEPTED,
NC, &c., &c.
On Tuesday evening, with population
of 5000 inhabitants, Stanton was getting
her 'supply' of water one and half inches
deep through Il small pipe. A large por-
ton of the city was without any supply
at all, and citizens were waiting for night
to come so they might draw a quantity of
I the precious fluid from the better filled
pipes for next days uses. That evening
| the City Council assembled with a fula
| board, except the absence of Mr.. Hoge, de
| tanned by thssickness of a child. The Spe-
cial committee, consisting of Messrs.
Evans, Abby and Grattan, made their tinah
reports on the matter of the new water
works. They submitted three bids all OF
| the same work, a tWo-and-a-haH million
| gallon reservoir and Worthington pump
all complete, and connecting with the syS-
\ Ia
Bros, of Baltimore, is for 500 600; that of
Mcmahon Il Green, of Staunton, for ST.
1862, and that of Hartman & Hartman, Of
Staunton, for $4,000. The highest bidder
| offered to guarantee the works for one yetr
and keep them in repairs for that length Of
time at their own expense, and the lowest
| guarantees the reservoir fol- eighteen
months and the engine for twelve months.
| All the bidders offer to take city s per
cent, bonds in payment, and ask for a
mortgage on the works, and offer to give
| ample security for the proper and satisfs.c-
/ tory completion of the work. Messss.
Evans and Abby, the majority, reported
| in favor of giving the work to Hamblet
| Bros, and Nh. Grattan made mnori,
| report in favor Of giving it to the lowest
| bidder.
| EXPLANATION OF THE REPORT.
| Mr. Evans, on behalf of the maiorSGy r.'A
| port, said that the gentlemen who Fecoul-
| mended it believed that in all Views of tie
| matter, the bid of Messrs. Ha4ableton was
| the best that had been Submitted, but the
whole matter was now before the Council
and it could decide. Whatever action tie
| Council might take, he thought that il
ought to be taken tonight
MI. Grattan said he favored the lowest
bidder because he did not think the city
was in condition to pay more for work
than it could get it done for
MI. Ably said that besides these bfGs
there had been one from gentleman in
Alabama, but not for this plan.
NO COUNSEL ALLOWED
Judge McCue asked if it was the pleasure
of the Council to hear counsel in the mat
ter. He had been Informed, but could
not say whether correctly OF not, that the
Messrs. Hamhleton mad appeared by coun-
sci (.Judge Sheffey), before that body tie
Friday night previous.
Mr., Evans said Judge Sheffey had af,-
peared as counsel for Hambletou Ruos.
but only as their authorized agent So,an
nounce their decision in a matter aad not
as an advocate of their merits.
Mr. Bickle said that several members.
before coming in, had exnressed their de-.
sire not to hear counsel in the matter. and
therefore they could not be heard except
b.
by voted PERMISSION of the body.
THE REASONS OF THE MAJORITY.
MI. ABBY said the majority of the CONT
mylt.ae had thought it best to give the con-.
tract to men of experience. They might
get bond and security from inexperienced
contractors, bns that would not meet the
wants of the city. What the city wanted
now was not security but wates.
Nh. Evans said that the Msess1s Harmam
and McMahon Il Green had known long age.
that the water works weae to be built, ANA
that city bonds Eaoald, be paid for Il bu1fl-
ing, but had taken, no, steps towards the.
bidding far the work. Now the Mess,s
Hambseton, experienced men, had come.
ana made out the plans and offered p bidg
which covered all contingencies and Lem
no opening for further appropriate ms for
the work. They hgought with them M,
tional reputation in their profession oF
such character that they could nut atfo,,s
to do :. bad job. They made known thai,.
plans, and now other bidders eoma IN ~.
those plans, and after aM has been dome wa.
ire asked for further delay. One of The.
puo ~ a VA VI @oZ,O0&. which was
announeedi Friday night, and. the same
party now bids S75,o0oe which leads the
committee to believe that they don't I'M
ierstand the business OF the work thew Are
bidding on. security does not enter jnto
he question for 40 security could repay
he city fer defective Water-warks. Mr.
Swans said outside of the pnFely business,
Jew OF the matter his synpathies vera.
WITH the stanton Bidders, and if t, cir Of.
ers were to the interest of the city would
lady accept them. ae acted in this mat--