Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-06-23
THE SUSSEX COUNT MOUSE.
A Ventilation OF the Roofing Ques-
tiOn-ThreatenedP Prosecution.

tioh-huFehteueu frosecutlOn.
Editor State Journal In justice to the
people of Sussex county it now behooves
me or some one else to fully ventilate this
court house job. And in doing so |
would have it distinctly understood that
am not prompted by either favoritism
or prejudice toward any one concerned.
When the Levy Court had this matter of
roofing in consideration at their session
in March they had letter before them
written by N. & q. Taylor Company, of
Philadelphia, who are large, dealers and
importers OF tin. That letter of itself
convinced that body that the brand of
tin denominated, "old style" was the
best roofing tin. Indeed it was asserted
by the writer that that brand of tin
would last century with or without
paint. Therefore they ordered that
brand to be used because they knew the
people wanted roof upon the building
which they would not have to be con-
stantly patching. That letter is row in
the hands of parties here in town and
will be at once recognized by our Levy
Court.
From that time on until the bids for
roofing were sent in, Mr.. Tomlinson, the
Clerk of the Peace, said he would have
none other but the best roofing tin used.
1t is true that Mr.. Rogers says in his bid
that he will use the best roing tin, but it
is not true that he accompanied his bid
| with samples, for Mr.. Tomlnson told me,
| himself, that he never saw Mr.. Rogers
sample till he brought it down from
Frederica on the 9th, seven days from
| the time fixed for opening the bids. Mr..
Rogers entered into contract that day
| with Mr.. Tomlinson to do the work at y J
cents per square foot. Whether the
brand of tin to be used by him is speci-
fled in that contract know not, as have
not been able to see the said contract.
Now to prove that Mr.. Rogers is not
using the best roofing tin and the kind
which the Sussex people wanted used,
quote from a recent letter written by N.
4 G.. Taylor Company, of whom lie
(Rogers) bought the tin that he is using :
IC. 2sx20 loaded Talbot. .. 512 25 per box.
*. 2Sx20 &c Old Style. 1925 " "
IX. 2sx3O " Talbot ..... 1875 Z"
| IX 2Sx20 " Dean. ....... 14.75 "
The first named-that is, the |. e. Tai
bot brands the tin which Mr.. Rogers is
using, and is the same brand or grade Of
tin which Messrs. Fawcett x Wilson OF
this town offered to put OH in their bid at
six cents per square foot. Seven, il
painted OIL both sides, which, had they
been given the contract, would have
saved to the county at least 500 in the
job.
The letter referred to above has been
shown to Mr.. Tomlinson, and we have
every reason to believe he was thereby
convinced that the tin being used is
interior in quality to the tin desired, and
although he promised to call an explana-
ton from Mr.. Rogers yesterday, yet up tt
the present he has done nothing, and
now seems somewhat Indifferent about
the matter. There surely will come {
day of reckoning for am authorized
by A. ?. Robinson, ESD, who is counse
for the Levy Court, to say in this letter
that if all these facts he established
which they doubtless will be-he shal
advise that body never to pay singl,
cent on this contract, and shall recon
mend that the contractor, or some on,
else, he sued for damages.
The people of Sussex county have NJ
money to waste in such way as this Seem
to be going, nor will they suffer it with
out calling to task those who are directl,
concerned. They now justly demand {
full showing up of this whole affair, ant
they will have it. And if Mr.. Tomlinsoi
he the ''true public servant which h
asserts himself to be he will miss al
excellent chance to serve this people if h
does not make an effort to elucidate thi
thing so the people can understand it.
GgoRGErowN, June IA, 1881.