The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-02-11

positions Of resOlute but INSCRIPTIONS
contractors. =.
aSin lieth at the door" in awarding
contracts to parties who never have given
satisfaction, and who never will so long
as the present policy Of Council pre-.
walls. r
The policy which accepts bids upon
carefully prepared and explicit spcci6ca.
tions and then fails TO hold the contractor
to 4 strict adherence 10 the letter Of the
agreement, il unjust.to other contractors
who make their bids upon the suppose
tion that the Council means business
means that the work shall be done in ac-
cordance with the specifications and that
the contractor will be held TO the very
letter OF the contract. The evil result Of
this unjust and lax policy in relation to
the obligations Of contractOrsr.is cow
ardly submission TO the exactiOns OF an
unscrupulous contractor where there
should Ge a manly defense Of the rights Of
the people.
In proof OF this allegation, il is only
necessary 10 advert TO the recent COM
promise said to have been made by a
committee Of Council delegated TO settle
for the killing Of a horse which fell into
the sewer trench, corner OF 22d and Mar
ket streets, under the terms Of which IL is
said that the committee agreed that the
city should pay one half the value Of the
animal and the contractor the other
half. do not assert that such comprO-
mise has been made, but that is the rII-
NOR. II such u compromise has been
made, no doubt the citizens would like TO
be informed by what ordinance the Coun-
ell derives the right to delegate the power
10 definitely settle the question Of respon-
sibility in such a case without reference
Of the proposition and the reasons there
for to the consideration and approval Of
Council. The people would also like TO
be informed upon what principle Of law
or equity the city becomes responsible for
the criminal carelessness Of 4 contractor
in leaving a dangerous opening on n
thoroughlare OF the city without suitable
safc-guards. Ii an intercstingquestion
whether II Is the business Of the city to
cover up the man traps or animal traps
that may he left open through the care.
lessness OF contractors, or whether con-
tractors themselves shall do 80, or failing
to do so become responsible for all loss or
injuries that may arise from their neglect.
While there is no doubt that the city au'
thorilies were the proper source for The
owner Of the horse. killed in the
22d street sewer, to look Tor reimburse.
ment for his loss, there is no less doubt
that the city ia entitled to recover from
the contractor the full amount. Thatsuch
compromise as il rumorCd TO have been
made il nothing more than the contractor
might I've expected TO ask, Ia readily con-
ceded. His uniform success in forcing
concession 10 his demands warrants him
in almost any proceeding, however mani
testify unjust II may be. Ills to be hoped,
however, that no such compromise has
been effected, aud that Council will see
that none such is made. The Council
have got the contractor above ground in
this instance, aud it remains TO be seen
whether il has the backbone to maintain
iu advantage.
Probably this evening may develop
something in relation to the affair. /
shall close for the present with the
promise in the near future To put ZONE
questions 10 the Council and the County
Board on the subjcct Of the two Peninsula
bridges. QUIs QUIS.