The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-03-24
The True Inwai dness" of the Court
House Carpet Deal.

iOurt Val pvt DS"'
Having noticed sevaral cheap notices in
the local press in relation to the superior
purchasing" advantages possessed by the
firm which secured the contract, all OF which
are well enough in their way, but inasmuch
as they lack the essential element of truth,
and are purposely misleading, we deem 1t
duty to place the dear people OF La Sale
county in possession OF some facts in relation
10 the manner and means OF obtaining the
said contract, which we think it would be
well enough for them to know, VIZ:
The building committee requested sealed
bids from several dealers for furnishing five
frame body brussels carpets, for use in the
new court house, made and put down. When
the time arrived the blds, being presented,
were opened by the committee and read sub
stantially as follows:
D. KEENAN, & CO., srREAToK.
j-framc body brussels, marked Lot !, sl.Z252
5.frame body brussels, marked Lot2, *l2714.
SCOTT BROS. & co OTTAWA
h.frame body brussels 81 22}|.
W. Il, HULL, OTTAWA.
5.trame body brussels, $l30.
CHAs. GossAGI CO., CHICAGO.
5frame body brussels, ranging In price
from Sl.20 to 81 So, making and laying extra;
the latter going into particulars, giving the
the brands OF several well known nIanufac-
turers.
At this stage OF the proceedings the COM
mittee, not being or claiming to be experts
IN such matters, began to ascertain there
was SO much greater variety than they had
IeXpected, and desiring TO treat all fairly, re.
quested subsequent bids for furnishing the
best brand Of body brussels from the three
bidders-D. Heenan & Co., W. II. Hull, ard
Scott Bros. Il Co.,-who thus far had simply
submitted samples and prices Of 5-framv
goods The former submitted their bid for
the best goods quoted at $l42ls. made and
laid. W. II. Hull declined 10 bid on this
make of goods. Chas. Gossage & Co. had
already submitted their bid at 81 4315. The
question neng asked Mr.. Scott after he had
been detected in endeayoring to palm OF on
the committee number Of samples OF &
frame goods, (HIs BID BEING FOR PRAME, J
which he admitted then and there he had put
in simply for comparison; though he was eX-
ccedingly careful to say nothing about it I'M
til It was shown up before the committee.
The contract thus far rightfuly belonged to
D. Heenan & Co., upon seeing which Mr..
Scott jumped up and said he could furnish
ANY grade Of goods the committee saw fiji to
select AT his bid Of Si22II, in order TO get
out Of his unpleasant predicament aud ITO
learn them Chicago fellows G lesson, you
know The committee by this time were
pretty well posted on the carpet business,
and decided to award the contract to Scott
Bros. & Co, to furnish "such goods as u c
committee saw 1t to select" which ia this
case were Hartford. Lowell, or Bigelow
body brussels, which will cost Sl.35 in
! So piece lots, } cents for making and lay
! ing, 10 the county at 81 22lI made and laid,
Scott Bros. Il Co. thereby having the priv
lege of pocketing loss OF III cents pei
yard on the quantity required, feat reQuir-
ing an amount OF patriotism land laughter)
The Taxpayers Of La Sale county, whose in
,erests they were watching SO closely at thai
particular time, Will no doubt be able 10 see
through it without the aid of so electric
| light.
the above are the simple, plain facts in re
! lation to this transaction, for the correctness
OF which we refer all interested persons and
taxpayers 10 the building committee, and
we challenge a successful truthful contradic
! ton. Respectfully,
! d. HERSAN Il Co.