The record-union., 1895-08-10
SUPPLIES FOR STATE OFFICIALS.
Why Some of Them Are Not Pur-
chased by Contract.
state Printer Johnston Gives His Rea.
sons-Some Large Claims
We're Rejected.


sickness.
State Printer Johnston appeared in
obedience to request from the board to
explain why he has not purchased sup
plies, material, ETC., entirely by contract.
Mr.. Johnston stated that the last Leg
islature instructed him to print 10000
copies of the laws of 1895. He said he
purchased the paper on which to print
the laws for 1895 less than the contract
price. He said it was impossible tn pur-
chase all the supplies by contract For
instance glue to the amount OF $3.50 was
purchased, and there is no law, he said.
requiring MIN to purchase sundry sup
plies and materials by contract.
Attorney General Fitzgerald asked Mr..
Johnston on what law be based his opin-
ion.
Secretary of State Brown said that if
everything must be advertised for, then
in some instances the advertisement Tor
bids would cost more than the article de-
sired
Attorney General Fitzgerald said he
could not see any authority OF law tor
the purchase of materials and supplies
unless by contract and under the super
vision OF the Stale Board OF Examiners.
The law is plain in that respect, said the
Attorney-General.
Superintendent Johnston said the
board never required that contracts be
entered iuto for the purchase OF glue and
certain other materials.
The Attorney-Genera said the law in
tended that everything used by the State
should be advertised Tor and purchased
by contract. He said the law provides
that bids should be advertised for
frequently as necessary when an esti-
mate of material and supplies needed TOR
the ensuing year cannot be made.
Mr.. Johnston saidiit was i'm possible, for
him to contemplate what is needed IN his
department year ahead.
suppose spring in a lock in one of
the doors is out of order, or broken"
said Mr.. Brown, ''and you want to lock
uD your Office must you advertise for a
new lock? The other day lock in the
door of the Governors office got out of
order, and Governor Budd demanded
that it be replaced Immediately. How
are you going to tell ahead what is going
to get out OF order. After this, If any
repairs are needed they will not be made
until the material for the repairs are ad-
vertised for"
Attorney General Fitzgerald said the
law does not refer to Items OF that kind.
In the future everything will be adver-
tised for.
''The law affects little things as well as
big things" replied Secretary OF State
Brown.
suppose you should order something
from me that is new and that l haven't
got ?' said Mr.. Johnston.
well, then, say you can't fill the
order" replied Mr.. Fitzgerald.
Il have no right to do that. 1t is my
duty to fill the order" contended Mr..
Johnston.
1.-The most disagreeable duty 1 over
had to perform" said the Attorney-Gen-
eral, lis on the State Board of Exam
iners. 1t means nothing but kicks, abuse
and everything else"
State Controller Colgan, who was an in
terested listener to what WAS going on,
remarked that be would like to change
office with the Attorney General. The
latter official made no reply, and turned
his attention again to the proceedings be-
fore the board.
Then the board took up q claim for
rags used to wipe machinery at the print
ing office.
surely the law never intended that
contract should be entered into for the
purchase of rags" said the Attorney
General.
Secretary of State Brown said there are
quite a number of merchants in San
Francisco who DO not want to deal with
the State on account of the difficulty in
sometimes getting tn cir money.
1T would be good thing for the State
if many of them would not deal with it,
said Attorney-General Fitzgerald. 1.-The
State pays more for what it obtains than
do private individuals"
THAT is not so in my case" said Mr.
Brown. 81 don't pay them any more,
and when the bills are too high cut them
down."
''Y on are an exception, then" said the
Attorney -General.
Not exactly" replied Mr.. Brown.
fl,nr oil ID r.
same"
The claim for the glue was referred to
tho Attorney General.
From the looks of things it is not
likely that the claims for supplies and
materials will be paid unless the board
changes its general rule that all materials
and supplies shall be advertised for
The claim OF \. h. Rose, exCommis-
siouer Of Public Works, for S1,34S tor
oto-lthographing done by Britton Il
Rey OF San Francisco. and the State
Mining Bureau for Sl,07o 80 for litho-
graphing, were rejected. in accordance
with the following opinion of the Attor-
ney-General on Roses claim:
This claim must be rejected, as 1t is
clearly provided by Section 53S of the
Political Code that work of the character
for which the claim is presented must be
done by the State Printer, and that no
claims for this character OF work can be
allowed by the State Board of Examiners
There is nothing in the Act creating the
office OF Commissioner of Public Works
which conters upon that Commissioner
the privilege of having work Of this
character done by any person other than
the Stale Printer
The Attorney General said Britton Il
Rey must have known that the Commits
sioner of Public Works had no authority
30 contract the bill.
Attorney General Fitzgerald then took
up the claims OF +. A. Pedlar for SIS and
L. L. Leake for SI35. for preparing data
and examining assessment rolls in Los
Angeles and san Francisco Counties. He
said the work should have beon per-
formed by the mem bers of the State
Board of Equalization and its Secretary.
State Controller Colgan, who is mem-
Der of the Board of Equalization, pointed
out TO Mr.. Fitzgerald the law providing
for the payment OF the travelling eX-
penses of the EquallZers and contingent
clerical expenses.
The claims were referred back 10 the
Board of Equalization, with the request
mat they inform the Board of examiners
specifically when and where the work
was performed
The demand of r. A. Brownie, Under
Sherlf OF Napa County, for 5000 as the
reward lor the arrest and conviction OF
4. \. Breckinridge and Lawrence Eng
ush' Ior highway robbery, was rejected,
on the ground that he was public officer
charged with the arrest of criminals.
Inc money was ordered turned over to
l. l.. " llIlams and j. y. True, who were
members OF the posse that made the
capture.
The resignation of Fred A. Severy,
Printing Expert, was read and accented,
The matter of bidding on the sos, 900