The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-21
COUNTY STATIONERY.
Allegation that Contract Has Been
Awarded in Violation of Law.

ANurUcu 1OHttlOn Oh Inv
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
NOBLESVILLE, Ind, Dec. 20.-The COM
missioners of Hamilton county have occa-
stoned good deal of adverse comment on
the part of citizens by their recent action
in awarding a contract for printing and
supplies. For years the Muncie Bridge
Company and W. b. Burford have had
many contracts in this county This is a
strong Republican county, and the commits
sioners are all Republicans. A year ago
the contract for the books and stationery
was awarded to Burford over two other
lower and responsible bidders. A strong
protest was made, and it was not thought
possible that the commissioners would again
make such contract, but on the first day
of the term of the December session an
other contract was made with Burford
over another lower and responsible bidder
The contract was let without advertising
for bids or complying with the law III any
respect. Many taxpayers, irrespective of
party, are protesting, and a suit will be
begun to set the contract aside and to COM
pei the commissioners to obey the law
The Ledger the leading Republican paper
OF the county, denounces the whole bust
ness. There is very clear, comprehensive
law governing the purchase OF DOCKS ana
properly obeyed and enforced, would save
the taxpayers of the State thousands of
dollars annually The law was passed in
1910, but by some oversight of the reVISerS
or pubic printer was not emboo1ed in the
Revised Statutes of 1881. That it is the law
OF the State, and in full force and effect,
was so declared as late as 1894 by the Su-
preme Court in case from Henry county
l3S Ind, L. 661) In this case Mr. Bur-
ford was defeated by w. H. Elliott, of New
Castle, and then asked the court to set aside
the contract as illegal. He won the SUIT in
the supreme Court. He is now on the
other side of the question in this county.
Section l of the statute referred to makes
the County Commissioners agents of their
respective counties for the purchase of all
books and stationery.
Section 2 1t shall be the duty of each
county officer using articles purchased at
the expense of the county, to make known,
under oath, at the December term of the
County Commissioners Court the probable
amount and quality of books, stationery
ana other articles necessary for conducting
the business of his office for one year.
Section 3. The County Commissioners
shall, after an examination of such state
ments, order the purchase of all or any
part of the articles set forth in such state
ments, if they believe they are necessary
for the use of the county, and also are ar
ticles that should be paid for by general
tax.
Section 4. The County Commissioners,
after deciding upon the amount and kind
of articles they should purchase, shall give
notice, in any manner they deem proper,
for at least ten days, that they will receive
bids for furnishing the supplies demanded,
giving specifications of the kind, quality and
quantity of articles needed, and that they
will give the contract for furnishing them
to the lowest responsible bidder, reserving
the right to reject all bids.
Section 6. If, at any time any county Of
ficer should purchase any article for the
use of his office, without the consent of the
County Commissioners, it shall be optional
with the commissioners to pay or refuse
payment of such bill, as they may think
right, and such decision shall be final.
Section Z. Should any county officer en-
gage in specializing off his county by
charging the county more than the articles
cost he shall be guilty of misdemeanor.
and upon conviction shall be fined in any
sum not exceeding $500 for each offense, and
if any county officer. including County
Commissioners, shall be guilty of receiving
any present or percentage on articles pur-
chased from any firm engaged in the bust
ness of furnishing the counties with books
stationery, or from any agent of such
firm, directly or indirectly, or If any such
firm or it's agent should offer any present
or percentage to any county officer in con-
sideraton of his influence in obtaining or
ders or contracts for books or stationery,
such officer or firm agent shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be
liable to fine of not less than 500 nor more
than $500.