Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-09-05
LETTERs HON rHE pEoPLE.
Trustee soIomon's Explanation.

To the Editor Of the EyHNING JOURNAL.
Were it not that my name has been
used by the Every Evening in connection
with certain transactions at the aims
house as chairman Of the supply com
mittee, in Lmanner that would reflect
but little credit If the accusations were
true, | ask for the privilege or making a
brief explanation of some of the charges
which might do me injury were / was
not known.
| II Is true that was chairman OF the
| supply committee when the new aims
house and insane department were fur.
nished but | never knew until d long
I time afterwards TINT l had transcribed
the bounds Of my duty, until told Of It
through the Every Evening | did no
more than the chairmen of the other com
mittees had done. IL is charged bv the
Every Evening that the furnishing Of
the almshouse buildings cost in the
neghborhood of $6, 600, an amount that
sounds large it is true. but could it have
heen done decently any cheaperg
IL seems TO have been for
gotten that the two buildings cost
about $500 000 Could they be furnished
decently for less? BE it remembered also
that no furniture whatever was taken
from the old almshouse Everything was
furnished new and there was nothing ex-
travagant But it is a matter of fact that
the cost was not much more than half the
amount stated. which can be verified bv
reference TO the accounts In
cluded in that cost were two
double parlor sets Of sixteen pieces each.
fifteen walnut chamber sets for superin-
tendents and their helps in both depart
ments Included also were $50 iron bed
steads for inmates. costing 81 $50 and
zoe window shades Il is not true that
any parlor suits cost $240 They cost very
little over half of it. showing how reek
less the Every Evening has been in max.
ing unwarrantable charges The charges
for the walnut suits ranged from S45 to
500, and now after three wears of use any
unbiased committee will say they are as
good as new.
The carriage question has been venti-
lated before by a committee appointed to
investigate the matter That committee
reported that they could not get another
carriage for $25 more than the contract
made with Jones Guthrie. the builder
Nobody disputes the urgent need Of such
carriage, and the cost, $3.50, was GER
tainly not extravagent
In regard 20 the coal contract. | have
only to say that the almshouse was short
Of that article, and there was no exist
ing contract for furnishing coal
at that time. Il fell upon me
70 supply the amount needed until
a contract was made and S.. 90 was not
high price for coal carried from this city.
Of course, coal could be delivered cheaper
on cars direct from the mines to the
almshouse. SO much for the coal bust
ness
In regard 70 spoons cutlery. etc.
would refer all persons TO the firm of j
v. Carlisle & Co. which has a reputation
for honesty and fair dealing beyond dis
pute
In conclusion allow me TO saw that
every bin contracted by this committee
was fully examined and audited by the
committee on accounts and ordered paid.
and the transactions were perfectly salts
factory to the whole board. No cash
orders were given by me for any sun
plies, except for the carriage and salts
factory reasons can be given for my ac-
tion in the latter.
II would require too wearisome an arti-
Gle TO answer the Every Evening charges
m detail and win allow this brief defence
TO suffice ALL All my actions however.
are open to investigation and this is
what | would ask one and all to do in
yestigate. JOHN NJ. SOLOMON.
Wilmington, Del, September 5, 1888.