The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-05-14

1t has been decided by the county
court that work for the county shall
not be let to the lowest and best bid
der, but that it shall be given TO the
man who lives nearest the job, no mat
ter whether he is the lowest or not.
At least that is the conclusion one
would reach after witnessing the exhibit
ton yesterday.
1t will be remembered that recently
the court asked for bids for the sprink-
ling of the roads outside the city limits.
The first lot which were received were
thrown out, for reasons which the court
did not state. The clerk was instructed
to re-advertise and on Saturday last an
other lot of offers were received from
various parties TO do the work. The
bids were all in form and according
to the requirements of the selectmen,
but for reasons which are only known
to the selectmen themselves no award
was made at that time. OF course there
was an effort in the caucus but the
protest of Judge McNally, who declared
that he would take no part in the dark
lantern event, which had for its purpose
the defrauding of the right man, some
what overawed the selectmen and ac-
ton was postponed until yesterday.
Herald readers will remember that j
H. Griffin was the lowest and best bid
der
The surprise of all who were in attend
ence yesterday when they heard the res
olution, by Geddes, which is here given.
can be imagined by all lovers of fair
play in giving county work.
Whereas. In our judgment, work of
public nature should. as far as possible,
where the public good is not jeopardized,
be given to the residents of tbSl locality
in which said work is being A5ne; and
believing that work of a public nature
should be distributed among as many
resident taxpayers as possible, and
Whereas, The difference between the
lowest bids for sprinkling the county
streets per advertisement is only rs
cents, and
Whereas, AS the lowest bidder already
has a large contract paid from public
taxation, therefore be it
Resolved, That on filing a bond in the
sum of $1,000 the contract be let to lay
Tor & Jensen.
The reading of this by the clerk pro-
duced a silence like that which pre-
vailed in heaven at one time as re-
lated by one of the divine writers. 1t
was apparently a case of one was afraid
dIll lHc OlLSI udIt ItOL ! lie Sc4SCl-lGD
looked at each other, as much as to say
why don't you move that the resolution
he adopted?''
But no one stirred; no one spoke until
McNally, tired of the suspense remarked:
We'll. what do you want to do with the
matter?"
Christopherson mustered up courage
enough to move that the resolution be
adopted. and Roberts with what spunk
h. 1,1 f,,;,, -,
1t carried of course. all voting aye, with
the exception of the probate judge, who
voted no.
I believe that when we advertise for
bids we should let the contract to the
lowest bidder he remarked.
Mr.. Griffin, who was on the ground,
after the adjournment said to Roberts:
DO you think that you have treated
me fairly in this natter?
Roberts didn't know.
Have you acted as you agreed to with
me?" persisted Griffin.
Roberts didn't know again.
You told me the other day said
Griffin that this contract should go to
the lowest bidder regardless of any IA
voritism. Have you let this contract in
accordance with that declaration?"
Well, said the statesman from Bing-
ham, I'VE have done what we thought
was the best for all concerned
Having relieved himself of this little
statement the Bingham man fed to the
seclusion of his star chamber where
awaited him, and Griffin
turned his attention to Geddes
Geddes can crawfish as quick as any
man on the face of the wide world He
told Griffin that the court had consid-
cred the matter and that in view of the
fact that he got his first contract that
Of sprinkling the streets of the city by
unfair means, that it was decided to
ct this work to other parties. Of course
ne said more than that too. He declared
hat he (Geddes) was a taxpayer and that
ne did not want TO see work given out
TO men who were not deserving Griffin
said that the court had better recon
slider its action, whereat the little man
from the Third drew himself up to at
east four feet six and in a voice preg-
nant with dignity, remarked that the
present county court would brook no
intimidation.
To this Griffin replied that he did not
propose to intimidate any one; he mere
y wanted to see that the rights of the
public were protected. THE present
court is investigating the accounts of
he old one" said Griffin land at the
same time is indulging in the same prac-
ices with the charge were criminal
n the court which has retired"
Geddes then fled and until a late hour
he selectmen did not come from the Sc
;lusion of their private apartment
The court had a lot of business on
land yesterday. Among them were the
bills of Geddes and Roberts for the
MONTH Roberts walked into the room
where a Herald man was sitting and
throwing his account for the month on
he table said. Il wish that you would
K that so that L could get the money"
glance showed that it was not |
made out in the form prescribed by law.
His mileage is punched" No one can
ell how, where or when he earned the |
money. Roberts is very foxy man.
His first bill was all right but the
criticism of The Herald was too much |
or him and he changed his system of
at once. But this last bill /
vas paid just the same, although all
he members of the court had the law /
m the table in front of them, read il /
nd were cognizant of its intent and I
purpose.
I'VE do dis on the advice of the county /
ttorney." said the member from Farm {
RS ward
Roberts account was for s156, and Ged-
es' for S14S.6O. Christopherson did not 7
lie his account
Jack Delaney sent in communication
o the effect that he had come all the
ray from Idaho and was now in the CITY
[ 449 South Eleventh East, ready and