Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-11
EXECUTIVE SESSION.

EXECUTIVE SESSION.
As usual in executive sessions the tele-
phone was left open and through the kind
ness of Central the use Of that wire was
donated free TO the eager news seekers.
The electricity worked admirably, and
never before was the wire so little dis
turbed by electric light circuits, telegraph
wires, fire alarms and all such things. 1t
was clear sound always conveyed IN
very distinct manner, and not TO be mis-
understood in a single instance All day
at the telephone was not by
any means an easy task and
was only relieved by Central
inquiring once in while in whisper about
the progress and wishing for good luck
all that sort of encouragement. At the
telephone from $50 in the morning until
6:30 in the evening; relief until $50 o'clock
and then commenced another siege which,
according to the reporters time, lasted
until 1855 o'clock, but if the telephone
looked straight, was by the council cham
Der clock 1906. or just few notches past
midnight.
1t was decided TO commence opening
bids, and at the same time English sug-
gested that the council ought to work as
hard as possible and aim TO let the con-
tract before adjourning. In his opinion
which also seemed TO meet the views of
others it would be much better TO handle
the whole question before any delays.
The clerk opened bid which proved TO
be that of Mr.. D. P. Alexander of the city.
The bid was on each piece of work, so
much by foot and had to be figured out.
This it may be said was the manner in
which all were figured ont and hence the
clerk and councilmen had a job consisting
of small amount of multiplying and adj
dition, This became very hard work at
last and was one Of the most Objectionable
features When Mr.. Aleyander's bill was
figured out it amounted to sS07, 1SS Sc.
Four of the bids were figured out before
noon; seven after noon and three last
night. They were opened in the order
given below and amounts as follows:
d. P Alexander. city. 1907, 7SS. So
James Prior. Denver, Col. $50. 3l6, 154. s.
3 L. A. Bailey. city...... At 099 %
W. r. Mercer. Terre Haute... 1856. Az -
/ r. Clements. Cleveland. 200. 9oS. %
Dicker, Mollins & Taylor,
Toledo ....... SIC, los. -
Battle & Churchwood. ........ go. 81. y
VI. Clarkson. Chicago. ...-.... 302, ~. 95
Sullivan * SteinmetZ, city. go. 81. SIS
10 \. Williams, Denver go 2la90
II Alderman s. Bryan, Toledo. BIS, 494 S.
j John EveCson, St Louis. 3lS, 92l. 81
Is Jim Howard. city ............. 295, 159. -
Il Lyons & Sweetson, X. c.. 575, Isl. 10
As will be seen from the above fourteen
bids were before the council. As stated
before it was o'clock last evening before
the council had finished the figuring and
were prepared TO consider the totals in the
light of comparison.
Mr.. Steinmetz of Sullivan s. Steinmetz
was called IN by the council TO explain
some detail features of his bid. After
doing so he was followed BY Mr. Glenn
ents, who also answered questions about
some obscure features. at least obscure to
the council u. Allen, ESQ, was the next
who broke the solemnity and secrecy of
the executive session, which he did on in
vitation TO explain some things about Mr..
Williams bid By this time il was II
o'clock and Mr.. Alexander was sent for.
He was sleeping peacefully at his res
idence. forgetful OF the city council IN
executive session over the mysteries Of
contractors bids. He responded 20 invita-
ton. In the meantime, Mr.. English in
troduced little variety. He arose with q
slip of paper in his hand and stated that
be had observed that the contract and
specifications as prepared by the city en-
gineer and formerly adopted by the eoun-
ell seemed to give unlimited power TO the
city engineer IN selecting material, pass
ing and judging on the same. This he con-
sidered too much power to dele
gate to one man and by way OF modifica
rton he offered resolution which i'm
powered the mayor 70 appoint s
committee Of three who should be con-
suited on the questions left by the specifi-
cations and contract wholly TO the city
engineers. After reading the resolution
he moved its adoption and johnson proved
q second.
Backridge spoke against il and he was
followed by cries for the vote. The vote
showed Healy, Pratt. Glaze and Buck
ridge IN the negative. Mr.. Slower YVES not
st the night session, and excluding him il
viii be seen that the resolution was op-
posed by the sewer committee. This Is 3