New-York tribune., 1896-09-05
THE SILTER FAD IS COSTLY.
AN OBJECT LESSON FOR BRYAN AND HIS
KIND.
THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ALREADY PAYING
FOR THEIR O,Ly-CoNTRACTORs IN ALL
DEPARTMENTS EITHER AFRAID TO
BID OR CAREFUL TO PRO
TECT THEMSELVES.


lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.J
WASHINGTON Sept A feeling of uncertainty III
regard the result OF the free-sver crusade seems
10 prevail among a great many persons who have
done work or furnished materials for the general
Government in the past and would be glad TO do so
in the future This feeling of uncertainty is so
prevalent and so strong # Is understood, that the
number If competing bidders for work and supplies
in Sc, eral branches of the public service is smaller
than usual. and some OF them have stipulated in
their bids that payments shall he in gold or its
equivalent. Gener lilly. however. inquiries have
been received hy the departments asking II separate
bids can be offered based upon compensation in gold
and silver Not few requests have been sent
here TO the effect that the opening Of bids be de-
ferred until after the verdict of the people becomes
known in November. 1t is evident that would-be
Government contractors. some of whom are Repub-
icans some Democrats and some Populisis, While
some have no political affiliations, do not relish the
idea of proposing do work at this time and Of
entering into castron contracts later on 10 execute
that work without guarantee. that they Will ne
Maid for their la hor and material In honest money.
In some letters received here II has-been pointed
out that honest services exacted by the Govern
ment and that it is but fair. under the crcum-
stances that those who TO be bound to faithful
performances should be assured Of full and honest
comnensatjon The Department which has last
heen in correspondence with prospective bidders Is
that presided over by Postmaster-General Wilson.
The time is coming around 10 award bids for carry
ing the foreign and domestic mails As everybody
knows the regular safe and speedy transporta tion
and delivery OF the mails is the most important
branch OF the public service. and contractors for
that service whether steamship companies railroad
companies stage companies or individuals, are
nlaced under heavy bonds for the prompt and
proper performance Of their contracts. IL Is on
trely natural therefore. that the persons who bid
for this service for the coming year and years 10
follow should desire TO know beforehand In what
sort OF money they 10 be- paid " they per
form IT,
In large ma iority Of instances noted al the Post
office Department. would-be bidders want the con-
tracts TO be awarded specify clearly and explic-
,,,,. ,ha, navment ny the Government for carrying
the mails is 10 he in gold or its equivalent The ex-
action Is urged by railroads. steamship companies
and individuals who propose to submit proposals
II will be impossible under the law, Tor the authori-
lies TO comply with demands Of this kind and bid
ders ms; AXE their chances with others Contracts
~ this veal with respect compensation. vary
from that OF last year only in amount Inc reSui'
will be- Of course. that there Will De FEWER oius re-
cei,.el nv mis- branch Of the Government This
means that competition VIII De less and the pro-
noeaie will he higher I'M amount
Tn war and Navy departments are being similar
" embarrassed The Engineer corps mas I9dnn m @ thar
aci are hesitatng about submitting bids, fear
inc fha BRYAN may be elected and free-silver coin
age aw passed Generally nere J. grea, Hiii.ea H M
OF bids under this approprston recenen Dy & 'he he
notceably smaef ana m ,oDf III miDf' T,marois arc The
ppases y,hersin would-be bidders nave urged that
ci,uso he inserted IN the contracts providing that
-.v,oer,s for work done he only In gold or
It's equivalent Within the last few days bidders & ioT
genera supplies Of the Army have insisted upon
5svrneni in gold. The condition Of affairs IN the
Military branch Is becoming such that II nas
reneived serious attention. The same condition hois
win tho Navy. II is said that the leading shipoui-
crs of the country. who employ t1ousahds 81 M.
ia consilering Secretary Herberts advertisement
calling for bids for new ba'tle-5niGs ana torped99
b,afs have urged that proposals be not opeIrl
NH after me election in November. on the grouni
that bidding this time Is unadv sable i3r %ooI 200.
business reasons. Not only are tne ,niPDu,iders ,
nho oxnect TO bid on naval work 2nxious but
hose who are now engaged in fulfilling old contracts
orc uneasy over the financial question several
frns nave expressed themselves empnaticaiiy on ine
si,nior; Naval officials look FOR high Dids ror ne"
Struc,ion work in consequence OF the widespread
,nessiness among the leading companies.
rf.fls inforraiiOn Is obta!naDe from otnef "AeCu-
,, in,.rfrnsnfs when control big annual contracts
In sons cases II is 100 early in the new hscal Ha %
-. I'm how bidders will view the condillons f,it
- - cxrerience OF the POstoice War and Navy de-
nar.nents will most probably be thai 81 the o'ner
5fnarfnenfs and for the same reasons