St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-18
sAlleged clerical error; said to have in
tended to bid 81 80

alleged clerical error SAID 10 udNe H.
tended to bid Sl.39.
Every wuuld-be contractor seemed to
have a champion in the council. Aid.
Sullivan jumped at the conclusion that
the Chester Oil company was the low
est. Aid. Kavanagh was certain that
Patrick Butler was the lowest, and held
that the award should be made either to
Butler or Seeger, "home men," even
though their figures were somewhat
higher than their outside competitors.
Aid. Cullen champiOned the Chester Oil
company. The result was that there
were resolutions and amendments with
out number.
During the discussion Aid. Yoerg pro-
duced newspaper containing charges
of corruption. or attempted corruption,
and secured permission to haye thread.
The implied charge was that an outside
company had offered 5000 to a man
supposed to have considerable political
power to secure his influence in its be-
half. When a litter went round, eX-
Corporation Attorney Murray, seeming
to think that he had been hit, arose
to insinuate that some one had lied.
Aid. Kavanagh'S ''home Industry" play
was strong one. and called Aid. Sulli-
van and Gehan &c his assistance. the lat
ter maintaining also that Buffers bid
was the lowest. When Aid. Sullivan
Topped Aid. Yoerg alleged that the
Minnesota Street Lighting company
was the lowest, and inquired why the
Eleventh ward representative did not
favor their bid. The result of the
wrangle was that motions were
made to award to the Chester Oil COM
pany, to Patrick Butler and to the Min
neSota Street Lighting company, each
being lost in turn. after which the COM
mittee succeeded in having a resolution
pass ed rejecting all the bids and direct
the city clerk TO readyertiSe for bids to
be opened at the next regular council
meeting.
In the discussion, Aid. Cullen de-
clared himself in favor Of advertising
and awarding contracts to the lowest
bidder. mot building stone wall
around the city," and after his alleged
lowest bidder had been repudiated, he
introduced the following resolution:
That from and after this date all advertise
ments for materials supplies or labor per-
formed shall contain clause 70 the follow
ing effect. VIZ: No proposal will be accepted
or considered from any person, firIl or cor
Doration living or doing business outside of
the in. orpOTdte limits of the city of st. Paul.
All city officers, boards and departments are
hereby directed to conform their proposal
olution.
He had previously accused the COM
mittee in not doing its duty when it
failed to tabalate the bids and report
the lowest bidder back to the council,
but delivered his hottest shot in intro
dacing the above resolution. He said:
while I cannot vote for this resolution
myself, I introduce it in justice to contract
ors outside OF the city. cannot vote fo- it,
but don't see how certain other aldermen
can refuse to accept it,
1t was here that Aid. Kavanagh had
something to say about making politi-
cal capital" alleging that Aid. Cullen
was engaged in the enterprise. For the
| third time Mr.. Kavanagh informed the
| council that he paid taxes. and as much
! as Mr.. Cullen, but that he wanted Pat
Butler to have the contract. He
| had previously compared his tax
rolls with those of Aid. Yoerg. and
Weber, who had objected to Mr.. But
| ler'S bid because it was not the lowest.
| Aid. Minea quelled an imminent riot
by moving to indefinitely postpone Aid.
Cullen's resolution, his motion prevail
| ing.
The clerk will re-advertise for bids,
| but he was not instructed whether for
one, two, or three years, and the battle
will be fought on at the next council
meeting.