Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-16
WHAT WILL BE DONE?
OTHER COMMITTEEMAN TALK ABouT
THE CITY-HALL CONTRACTS.
Their Votes Were Cast, They Believed 10
the Heat Interest On Richmond-wni
the Council Ask an Expisnatiopf

II is now being said that tho City Coun-
Gil should ask the Grounds and Buildings
Committee for On explanation in regard
to the recent award Of contracts for the
City-Han light fixtures. book-fles. and
furniture. There has also been some talk
outside the committee of itsreconsidering
its action in reference to these awards. 1t
can further be stated that some men,
bers of the committee are very much
dispensed with certain publications in re-
gard TO the matter and are considering
the propriety of the committee calling
upon the editor OF that paper. The mat:
ter has caused much comment. and one OF
the committeeman has declared himself az
satisfied" with the glory he has received
from being member OF the Councn ana
declared his intention to run no more. III
should, however, be stated that 'hl s,; re,
mark was not made because OF the feeiing
that prevails upon the minds OF some IN
regard to the recent contract awards.
THE ENGINEER AND Mr.. CARTER.
Colonel Cutshaw, the City Engineer,
whose views as TO the samples OF book
files and gas and electric-light fixtures
were disregarded and the contracts given
70 higher bidders, was seen by DESPATCH
reporter yesterday afternoon, but ne oe-
clined to make any statement IN con-
nection with the matter.
Mr.. Henry l.. Carter. o member OF the
committee from Clay Ward, in discussing
the awards with DISPATCH man yesterday
afternoon, said that he voted to give the
contract to supply the light-fxtures to
Mr.. Phillips, who was higher than Mr..
Bowers, because he considered the de-
signs.well worth the difference, and that
the city had better pay little more and
get as good a grade OF fixtures as possible.
Upon the same ground be voted to let tho
metallic-file case contract TO the Waddey
Company. He believed the city would save
the $500 difference in the prices of Waddey
and Starke in repairs alone, as the specl-
men submitted by the former was, TO bis
mind. so much more durable. MIR. Carter
remarked that be was in favor OF awarding
the furniture contract to Savage a hoims,
tho lowest bidders. for the reason that,
after an examination OF samples SHOWN.
he had reached the conclusion that Savage
& Holms could construct furniture more
appropriate to and desirable for the nall
than the other bidder could furnish.
Mr.. sEAY TALKS.
Mr. NJ. Fillmore Seay, another member
from Clay Ward, said that he voted Tor
Bowers 70 have the light fixtures contract
because his was very reliable house, ana
ne had been informed that Mr.. Bowers,
the lowest bidder, would have TO put the
same class of material in the lighting ap-
paratus. and that the only practical dif-
ference would be III the ornamenfatlon.
He also voted TO give Savage d Holms the
furniture contract on practically these
grounds. but cast his vote to award the
book-fles contract to Waddey because be
was clearly convinced that his specimen
would prove more durable and worth even
moro than the difference IN the prices
asked.
In explanation of the difference of about
"a. 100 between the original and modified
bids of Mr. John Bowers for supplying
tho combination-ligh fixtures It Is sald
that there was not single change made
from the original prices, but that IN o
number of Instance less elaborate, and
expensive fixtures were substitutes ior
hsndsomer ones. as suggested by Colonel
Cutsbaw. TO whom with O subcommittee
tho oriclnal bids were referred.