The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-10-25
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. s,

JOHN ANDREwARTHA.
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. s,
To HIS EXcellcncy John Ireland, -Goyernoi~
Texas:
Sir-Whereas, the publication of a
report by the advisory committee OF
the branch asylum board for the in
sane asylum at Terrell, addressed to
your eXcellency and the state board,
reflects upon the intelligence, capabil-
| tiles and standing of all bidders and
others throughout the state interested
in bidding, by an -invidious COMPARE
son with the selected bidders (by them
selected), and further, that
by such comparison with
and by an appeal for
evidence to document termed u
schedule the public are lead to infer
| that the selected bidder is in conse-
qaence the lowest and best TO enter
into contract with the state of Texas
over all others, the lowest and respon-
sible bidders, to build the state in
sane asylum at Terrell. l therefore
depose as follows, and pray that your
| excellency, as the chief executive of
the state of Texas, stay the signing of
the final contract until full investiga-
ton may be had upon the following
| consideration, grounds and good
causes, viz:
| 1. That on or about November, in
the year 1881, the said bidder, by name
John Macdonald, contractor of Aus
tin, did enter into contract with the
state of Texas to build additions TO
the lunatic asylum at hat place, and
then said bidder and contractor did
obtain the award of said contract by
means prejudicial to the state and
good order, and said contractor pro-
ceeded with the work in such an ul-
satisfactory manner that legislative
committee was appointed and the
work was unqualitiedly pronounced
inferior, and not according to con-
tract. That said contractor proceeded
up to, or near to date with the work,
but not up to the contract or to the
time, and said contractor,
John Macdonald, delayed the
state in the occupancy of the
asylum, several months, probably "a
year or more. That the work is said
to be still incomplete, OF inferior quail
ity and not in accordance with the
terms of the contract. 1t is also said
that said contractor has been paid in
full, and the said work has been ac-
copied and occupied, proof of which
is in possession of the state, and occult
proof may be had ut the building.
and written and oral evidence can be
had from myself for my own state
mentS.
2. The document referred to termed
Schedule" is not so in fact, but is
nothing but a cunningly contrived
instrument in the form in
which it was presented to the
Terrell! Asylum bidders. This form
of schedule" in conjunction with the
other advisory documents, was mis-
leading in its terms, and was inten-
tionally or ignorantly so. 1t was so
equivocal that bidders and others
could be mIsled Thereby, and any
variation would involve the defe1t of
any Objectionable bidder for any
: cause other than to the interest of the
: state.
Mote. The committee did allow
the selected bidder exclusive privileges
in his own schedule" makeup.
3. / further depose that true in
depreciation of what should
: constitute good and proper
schedule and its influence
upon bids can be obtained and q pro-
/, test will be made by bidders. architect
builders, contractors and others of I'M
standing throughout the state and
: through the large cities Of Galveston
: San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Fort
: Worth, Waco, Austin and others
y which will be pronounced against thu
!. entire system of selection adopted il
? the Terrell asylum matters.
L Thic nou nrapfiOa pOmpQ from
questionable source and has been in.
! troduced into this state upon public
buildings for the firstItime by compel
!. itors for questionable ends.
u 4. This schedule" system ha:
!, proven too pernicious and injurious il
y the North and other states, and it,
. introduction into this state can bl
IL proven in its results to be prejudicia
to the interests and improvements ii
!, public and private buildings, and Il
7. the good of order and fair dealing il
), contracting, and to the development
le OF the honorable callings and profes
y sions connected Herewith, and to tn
u mechanical advancement requires
- therein.
u 5. The schedule referred to AM
le other documents l depose to be iln in
u furious debarmen. of honorable bic
u, ders. of various capacities and stand
sc ing from the legitimate results of fai
e and impartial competition, and it ca
&c not be conducive of good feelin
Is among bidders or good to the state
~ secure coed and reliable work. Rel
OF utable callings have been deprived {
x K the due and fair results of their labo
~ without saving or other benefit to th
a. state.
ne 6. Further, L depose that togethe
u with the foregoing reasons as S,
oI forth, 1 strictly complied with tn
ne law contained in chapter xviii, pag,
>, and 10, general laws of Texa
W passed at the regular session of th
u eighteenth legislature, when l mad
u my bid i'll the terms set forth IN I'll
Ell advertisement and provided in Ii
au law, viz: THAT he (the governor
~ together with tho comptroller aH
ae treasurer, shall let the contract f
W the construction of said bull
y. ing according to such plai
~ and specification, mote: mandatol
Gu without ''seheduleD as they mi
Gu adopt, to the lowest responsible Iii
lg dor who shall give a good and Suf