The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-09-12
TIE STATE house AND TaE SrAVR
house COMMISSIONERS.

On the 9Th day of February last the At
torney General gave an opinion TO the State
House Committee of the Legislature, saying
that the State House Commissioners could
declare the contract abandoned by giving
thirty days notice. Therefore thirty days
after the eth day of February, 1888, or about
the 18th day of March, 1888, the Commits
sioners could have made the necessary de-
claTation, and pending the thirty days esti-
mates could have been made to ascertain
what was yet unfinished OF the work.
II is fair to presume, with tho
Board Of Commissioners continually in ses-
sion, a superintendent and Secretary, that
a correct account is kept OF each step of the
work, and at The allowance OF each estimate
By the Board they can tell just what has been
done, and consequently what yet remains to
be done; so at the furtbest, forty days after
the eth day of February, 1883, or by the 1st
day Of April, 1888. the contract could have
been relet or the present contractors brought
TO sgree TO finish the work.
1t is useless for the contractors' bondsmen
10 say they did not know or fully appreciate
their liability. Mr.. Howard, one of the
bordsmeD, was here during the entire session
of the last General Assembly, so were others
of the bondsmen. They examined the ques-
ton thoroughly. They were present at the
meetings. Of the State House Investigating
Committee when the whole matter was gone
over. They knew OF the Attorney Generals
opinion delivered to that Committee Feb
ruaEy :. They consulted lawyers in this
city, and no Que Of the leaH
Judgment in such matters would
for a moment entertain the thought that
business men like Howard. Cummings & CO.
do not examine every business p OPPOSITION,
however small, to ascertain their liability be-
fore going into It, IL is therefore prep 1ster-
Gus 10 suppose that they would not look efseI
liability amounting to many thousands OF
dollars The work had been going forward
ard this In face of the fact that oil that wac
beir done was the estimates that ware bsing
mace up by tho architect for tho purpose
of relestpg The Democratic Legisla-
ture took the ground tia, the
present contractors did not intend TO
give up the contract, and subsequent deSsl-
opmenss bear ample testimony IN favor of
the prtscieDce OF that body. Thsir jadg-
ment has been most unouslifedly confirmed,
and in view of the facts the action of The
State House Commissioners is the subject of
anything but hsttering criticism. The Jour
hal of this city, the Republican organ. in its
issue OF the 4th inst, remarked as follows:
The announcement by the State House Commits
sioners OF their determi nation TO declare the
tract OF Howard & Denig abandoned ON the Sd OF
September II they fsils 10 resume work on the
building within thirty days previous was not put
into effect at their meeting yesterday, and al
though not erpecsd that the contract tros5d BE-
declored abandoned their action was something Of
q disappointment, as II evinces a disposition of
subserviency on the part Of the Commissioners to
the contractors
About nine months of the year 1888 have
come and gone. and nothing has been done
on the State House, nor is there any pro5s-
bility that anything will be done during the
remaining months Of the year. Here, then,
lie one entire year lost in constructing the i'm
portant work, and that, too. while the money
il on hand awaiting proper disbursement 1t
will occur to the average reader that under
such circumstances the State House Co nmis-
sioners have shouldered q responsibility OF
! great importance, and that 1t will be difficult