Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-19
"EvRNING STAR, August l., 1874"
The Contract OueS.tou

IN.
The following is the paper submitted to the
District Commissioners by Nessrs. Jesse Is.
Wilson, Wright Riyes and Thomas Evans, of
the taxpayers association, in reference TO CON
tracts, b, ief synopsis OF which has heretofore
been published in TEE STAR:
The unders' gned, by the authority of the tax
respectfully present for your consideration the
following resolutions adopted at a regular meet
ing of said ASSOCIATION:
Whereas it was clearly established BY the tes-
tmony presented before the late committee of
Investigation, amongst other things, that largo
number OF unlawiuI contracts were awarded
by the late Board of Public Works, involving
large sums of money, and that excessive prices
were agreed to be paid for the Improvements to
be made under such contracts; and whereas It
is reported that the Board of Commissioners
have recognized many of these unlawful con-
tracts, and have determined to continue the
prosecution OF the Improvements embraced
therein and let at such excessives prices
Reso.Ued; That a special c".m,tt-e ~ an.
ate s,rps, either by representinS tbe true con
dltion OF these matters to said Commissioners
or by bringing the necessary suit or suits in the
courts OF the DIstrict,to arrest and prevent fur
ton.
ResolUed, That it is the sense OF this associa-
ton that until the Indebtedness of this Distr.c
be ascertained, As required by the recent act of
Congress, no Iurther improvements should be
made unless in exceptional cases where tue ne
cessities OF the public imperatively demand the
shall not be begun until new contracts have
been made, after public advertisement TO Sc
cure proper competition.
Resolred That the chairman of the executive
committee or seventy be instructed TO appoint
special committee of three, to whom shall be
referred the foregoing resolutions.
We hope we may be permitted to add that it
is not our purpose to dictate officiousIy to gem
tlemen of your well-known intelligence and
large experience ia public affairs, but we sim
ply claim greater knowledge in regard to these
kDfclal mattarS wa a NJ assi+,
been Intimately familiar for several years.
For this reason We trust that a frank EXPOSE
ton OF our opinions will be kindly received by
your honorable body; and We earnestly hope
that this appeal to the senSe of justice of Impair
tial gentlemen will relieve us from the necessity
OF appealing to a judicial tribunal to settle diff
ferences OF opinions honestly entertained.
We appreciate fully the delicate and respon-
sible trusts assumed by yOu in accepting your
present official positions and willingly concede
your entire disinterestedncss of purpose in ac-
cepting your appointments.
But In the discharge OF our duties permit US
to enter our earnest protest against the cOntin-
uance OF any of the contracts for improvements
made with the late Eo1.d of Public Works.
And in support of this we submit the following
reasons, that to us seem conclusive
l. The estimated cost OF the entire system OF
Improvements to be made by the Board of Pub
lie Works was S6,57S ,397-Page 5, Report OF
Select Committee.
''The said board have expended AMI con-
port of s. q.
2. The law said "thst in no case shall the said
board enter into contract for any work or i'm
provement the cost of which shall exceed the
amount estimated therefor in its azores aid plan,
less 20 per ceDtum of said estimates"
8. 1.-The said Board OF Public Works shall
have no power TO make cOntrLcts to bind the
District 10 the payment of any sums of money,
except in pursuance of appropriations made
by law, and not until such appropT atoms sh all
have been made."-SecOnd section, organic act.
4. The law further provided that the aggre-
gate debt of the District should not exceed i've
nf
therein unless the proposition should first re-
ceiye the sanction of the people by popular
Vo.e.-Page 8, Report 5. G.
And in no event should the aggregate debt
exceed 80 coo 600.
These contracts that your honorable body is
asked to continue are described by the select
committee on page of their report. "The
board adopted an erroneous aud, I'm its results,
q vicious method of letting contracts for their
work, viz: without Compel ton open to the pub
lie; and that the method adopted by the board
resulted in the payment of an increased price
over and above what would have been paid il
open fair and free competition tsd been in
The conclusion is irresistible that CONTRACTS"
unlawful In their inception, vicious in their
character and ruiRous in their effect should not
be adopted and continued by a commission
acting under limited and restrained powers"-
And in conclusion permit us to add that If
your honorable body concluded to exercise the
powers conferred in the second section Of the
act or June 20, 1874, and expressed in the fol-
so"ibe sudiucu lauRudScs-''Dute 8lu mls-
sion, In the exercise OF such Power authority,
shall make no contra act or incur any obligations
other than such contracts and oblg cations as may
be necessary to the faithful administration Of |
the valid laws enacted for the government of !
said District to the execution of existing legal
obligations and contracts, and to the p-otecti IN
or preservation of Improvements existing, or ,
commenced, and not completed At the time of \
the passage OF this act" We trust that You will 1
avoid the vicious system inaugurated by the 4
late District government, and let the work to /
the lowest bidder after proper notice.
OFFICIAL REPLY OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
t.ftce Of the Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia
WAsHlEGror, August 10, 1874
GESTLgsKN: The Commissioners pd Il In
practicable 20 fall7 reduce 20 writing their de-
cision on ths subject OF the CONTRACT of Ia.