The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-13

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the committee oh the floor stated that 1t was
his firm conviction that 1t would be cheaper
to the city to publish at 35 cents In a morn
ing paper than at Is cents in an evening
paper; but as his vote would effect nothing
with the other two against him, he would
not vote against the motion. The motion
to award the contract to Mr. j. H.: Cham
berlayne, of the State, was then put and
carried. .,.-. o>si-g97 sas-@sa:-,I
AT the subsequent meeting, held on the
Monday following, after the contract for
stationery, &C., had been awarded, o mo-
ton was made to reconsider the vote award
ing the contract Of city advertising to Mr.
j. II. Chamberlayne, Of the State, an eve
ming paper; which motion was adopted.
After free and full expression Of views
on the subject, on motion, all bids for ad-
vertising were rejected, and the chairman
was by unanimous vote authorized to con-
tract with morning paper for the city ad-
vertising at rates not to exceed 20 cents per
square.
Messrs. Cowardin s Ellyson having at
all times promptly and satisfactorily exc
cuted all work required Of them by the
committee in the past, we could sec no Just
reason why they should not have the pIiyi-
lege OF accepting or rejecting the PROPOSE
ton made by the committee.
The chairman of your committee there
fore communicated with MesSrs. Cowardin
& Ellyson and informed them OF the action
OF the committee, and asked il they We're
prepared to accept upon the terms desig-
mated. Their answer being in the aflirma-
tive, the contract was closed with them for
the city advertising. 49,,
Your committee, in rejecting all bids, did
so under the clearly expressed preserved
right " set forth in the advertisement, un-
der which all bids were made: but we
would not be doing justice to ourselves as
committee, to the people we represent,
nor to the Councils action, did we not give
some Of the reasons for exercising this
preserved right"
when the bids were first opened three
iourths OF the committee gave it as their
opinion that ultimately the city would be
the gamer by giving it to the Dispatch, q
morning paper. at IS cents, and this opin-
ion was strengthened by the fact that, we
are informed by those whose Judgment
is entitled to the highest consideration,
the contract made some few years since
with an evening paper for advertising
proved decided failure, so far as the city's
interest was concerned.
Your committee will also state that they
are more fully confirmed in the correctness
of their opinion from the fact that though
an evening paper will offer rates OF adver-
ti>ing much less than those offered by the
Dispatch, q morning paper, yet the bust
ness-men of our community, embracing
every branch thereoi-men VINO study we'll
every means by which q dollar expended
shall make the best return-are found CIV
ing the great bulk OF their advertisements to
the Dispatch, whilst but comparatively lit
tie goes to an evening paper, showing very
concluslvely that they do not consider the
amount paid per square for the advertising
as that which constitutes economy, but, on
the contrary, the superior facilities offered
for reaching the people must be considered
as the source of gain to the advertiser.
What is true OF the individual is eminently
true OF the city.
The advertising OF city embraces both
privileges and penalties which interest
every class and condition OF our people, and
hence we should hold ourselves to be guilty
of misappropriating the funds OF the city
did we not endeavor to give them the very
best facilities for learning all that apper-
tains to their interests.
From all that your committee has been
able to learn by experience and observa-
ton we do believe it to be our binding duty
so to appropriate the funds placed under
our control in this department Of the city
service as to secure to the city authorities
the best means OF giving to the people in
formation concerning their obligations, that
the people in turn may enjoy its privileges
and avoid its penalties.
Such being considerations influencing
your committee, we believe we have done
righteously in giving the advertising OF the
city to leading morning paper, without
any infringement whatever on the rights OF
any one.
All OF which is most respectfully submit
ted, and with the unanimous consent OF the
Committee on Accounts and Printing.
WILLIAM II. WILLIAMS,
Chairman Committee Oh Accounts and
Printing.
Mr. Williams said that in view Of the no.
toricty Of the subject he would present
resolution ratifying the act OF the commit
tee in awarding the contract to MeSsrs. Co
wardin a. EllySon for advertising, and for
printing, &C., to MIR. w. Y. Randolph.
Mr.. Cannon asked Mr.. Williams whether
he or any member OF the committee, after
the bids were opened and that Of the State
was found to be lowest, gave, directly or in
directly, any information to the propretors
or any employe of the Dispatch newspaper,
so as to induce q lower bid from said Dis
patch newspaper.
Mr.. Williams said that he never had any
communication with Messrs. Cowardin &
EIlyson on the subject, either directly or
indirectly; and that neither he nor any
member Of the committee spoke to them on
the subject. ...... ..
Mr.. Todd inquired whether it was fact
that the committee met in secret session to
consider the bids.
Mr.. Williams said that he never gave any
order to the Sergeant-at-Arms or any one
else to prevent persons coming into the
meeting. He stated that the City Auditor,
the Assistant Superintendent of the Water
Works, and others, were present to make
known the style Of paper and other station
cry they desired for use in their offices.
Mr.. Beall asked Mr.. Williams whether he
had informed the proprietors Of the Dis
patch that another bid was lower than
theirs?
Mr.. Williams replied that on the day that
the committee first awarded the contract he
met Mr.. Ellyson, and remarked that he was
sorry to part with him, but that it was so,
that the State had underbid him. That was
the only time he ever spoke to him rs to the
States bid.
Mr.. Pickrell said he was sorry TO differ
with the committee, but he thought this
was matter that should DE Investigated
by special committee, and he would pre-
sent a resolution to carry out that idea.
bIr. Manly said he thought there ought to
be competition in this as well as in every
other business.
Mr. Wagner opposed the motion for Sc
lect committee.