The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-26
EvERso1E PROTESTS.
Against Action in Awarding the Audi
torium Contract

To the Editor of the State Journal
I desire to ask of you space in the
columns of the State Journal to ex-
press my views relative to the manner
and letting of the contract to erect the
auditorium and city hall. First, de-
sire to thank the gentlemen who stood
by me in the contest Never in the
history of the city of Topeka have
there been such deliberate illegal ac-
tions fostered and f1irted into the very
face of the tax payers by the majority
of the present city council. The bidding
was exceptionally good, positive
plain as to awarding of the contracts in
all public works. The law was framed
in the interest of all tax payers and not
in the interest OF the money power or
@boOdle nor in the interest of any man
who viii deliberately violate the law OF
the state.
Morse & Son were the lowest bidders
on the auditorium and they are justly
entitled to the contract when ever they
comply with the requirements of the
law. The council and mayor have no
right to step outside Of the bounds Of
the law.
The interest that confronts any coun-
Gilman and mayor is to see that the
law is pOperly carried out in the pre-
scribed manner of which the law d1-
rects, namely that the contract must
be awarded to the lowest responsible
bidder and not by the choice OF the
majority of any council The law IS
plain as to the qualifications of bidders
and was so advertised. The qualifica-
tiOns and requirements of the cOntrac-
tor is that he must file with the proper
authorities a bond double the amount
of the contract approved by the mayor
and council and when that is done the
power of the council is at an end and
the law fulfilled. No right is vested in
any council to even demand a certified
check or question the contractors nnan-
cial condition or whom he viii employ up
on those works. .Bondsmen are the parties
who have the rights and responsibility I 0
take care of such. But the majority Of
this council unprotected by any law
say to the taxpayers of Topeka that
they propose to handle the finances as
they see fit regardless of the meaning
of the law and their legal rights in the
premises. The legal status of the whole
matter is simply this, that the mayor
and council must give the lowest bidder
the chance to qualify. If he fails then
the next lowest bidder is called to quail
ifv Mr.. Morse was ready to qualify
as he declares. Had he failed had my
! bonds arranged and my finacial cOndi-
ton in shape to handle any contract
! that may secure and 1t is not the bus
I mess of a council or mayor to question
/ a mans financial condition, but on the
other hand they are to pay over to the
/ contractor the estimates as prescribed
by law and the contractor and bonds
men will take care of the balance. AS
an American I know my rights and
gentlemen of the council you have no
right to assume different. I am a
thorough mechanic and my ability is
/ known as contractor The gentlemen
I Of this present administration have no
/ right to disqualify me and deliberately
/ become spendthriftS in handling our
/ finances which they have done as a
! majority of the council, and not an ex-
/ preston Of a veto even by the head Of