Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-07-25
THE hAEEi.I;UHt: SDEAIlNGS

Aud Is IL Johnny Leonard. Republican In
spector Of the Sixth Ward. lancaster.
Harrisburg Correspondence OF Philadelphia
Prc>s.I
J. Wesley Neilrs bids Tor the Senate
and House plumbing. which took the con-
tract, amounted to Sc, $50. Four or live
other plumbing. firms had determined to
bid and some had actually prepared pa.
pers, when Neill, poor man rs he claims to
be, offered to buy them OIL and promised to
pay eacl, stipulated sum it they would
keep out. The plumbers are Harry Stew
art, Patsey Bradley, John kremcr and
Lyle Il Pool. The first three named
were to get 500 each, and the
last $50. the extra $50 being
the balance due on the purchase Of
the year 1880, when Neill made the same
bargain with that firm. but neglected to
settle in full until this year. Neill thus
cleared the field of four competitors and
had it all to himself. But to keep all
others out he induced \ young friend oil his
to put in bids i little in advance OF his, and
thus make it appear that there was still
competition. To make sure Of the contract
against all peradventure, he had prepared
other bids in his own name, amounting for
both houses to about 81 200. which he
intended to substitute for the 81, $50 in case
other competitors turned up ut the last
moment but tho bidders were confined to
his friend and himself, and Neill got his
contract at the enormous figure Of sc. $50.
In his little confidential talks about this
scheme Mr.. Neill told some things which
implicated Mr.. Delaney. thus connecting
him with something else besides the cOn-
tracts for stationery and miscellaneous
supplies. NeiIl said that Delaney made
ont all the plumbing bids, even that
Of the friend who acted rs Neilrs dummy
arranging the bonds. and, in sh Ort, was
interested in him (NeilD in procuring
the contract. Mr.. Delaney, Us senate H.
brarian, has nothing whatever to do with
the plumbing, yet. according to Mr.. Neill,
the successful bidder, he is now found
check by jowl with that individual in fur
thering his interests, and, not having the
fear OF the twelfth section Of Article Ill,
of the constitution before him, appears to
be Il silent partner with the known con-
tractor. All of which is submitted to tho
state treasurer rs another reason why the
plumbing contract should not be approved.
Among the bidders for the distribution
Of documents contracts WIS j. N. SlentZ,
boss carpenter of this city. Tic it WAS
who said that Delaney offered him 500
clined, giving rs u reason that Resident
Clerk Patterson who was his ST.
lent partner, objected to that kind Of
u bargain. Apart from the fact that
Mr.. Patterson, rs an official, had
no right to be interested in u
contract, il he really was, this refusal was
an honorable act. But Sl..ntz now says
that Patterson hoodwinked him by reveal
inV the amolnt Of Slentz's = hiI Of 81 o0O "a,
the successful competitor, John ii. Leon
ard, whose bid Was 81 150, and went snacks
with Leonard and Delaney in the contract.
So it would appear that nearly every prom
inent official in the Legislature is more Or
less interested in contracts, in spite Of tho
constitutional prohibition, aud that they
restore to all kinds of tricks to ''catch on
In card in to- days Press Slentz denies
that he gave Patterson away or that
Patterson was any sort Of Il partner in his
bid.