The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-14
STATE PURCHASING AGENT.
Wootcn Has Introduced Bill to
Create the office.

Austin, Texas, February 10. - Mr..
wooten today introduced in the house a
bill to create the Office OF State purchasing
agent for the various asylums aud cleo
mosynary institutions Of the State OF
Texas. to define his duties, term Of office,
mode OF qualification and compensation, to
abolish the office or position of steward.
ouarterrlaster or other similar position III
said asyiums and institutions, to require all
supplies to be purchased by said agent I'M
| der competitive bids or contracts. to pro-
vide for the appointment of storekeeper or
| accountants in said asylums and institu.
tions and define the duties thereof, ana
to make an appropriation for the salary OF
said purchasing agent
The FIRST section creates the office OF
State purchasing agent, who shall be APP
pointed by. the governor BY and with the
advice and consent OF the senate. every
two years. and who shall hold his Office
for the term OF two years from tho date
of his qualification and until his successor
is appointed and qualified. Said purchas-
Ing agent shall receive an annual salary OF
$1,000 and he shall not receive. directly or
indirectly, any extra compensation in the
way of commissions or otherwise. said
agent shall not be interested In or In any
manner connected with any contract or bid
FOR furnishing supplies or articles OF any
KIM 10 any Oh Sdlu aSyluluS VI
OF to any other department or institution
of the State. or with any person. Arm or
corporation who is interested IN or in any
manner connected with any kind OF con-
tract with tho State or any of Its instl-
tutons and departments, nor shall no COL
lect or be paid his salary or any part
thereof while he Is In any manner or de-
gree indebted TO the State or in arrears in
his accounts and reports as such agent
Section . provides he shall enter into a
bond with two or more sureties, In the
sum of $4,000, conditioned for the faithful
and honest performance of his duties. 1t Ia
! further declared unlawful and Within the
conditions of said bond for said agent to
sell or be in any manner concerned 10 tho
/ sale Of any merchandise. supplies or other
, articles TO any of the institutions herein
named OF to any other department or in
sttution of the State
Section provides that there shall be APP
pointed by the governor, with the advice
and consent of the superintendents and
/ boards Of managers of said asylums and
institutions, storekeepers or accountants,
| one for each of said institutions, who shall
hold their offices for two years from the
date of qualification unless sooner re-
moved; said storekeepers or accountants
! shall receive compensation not to exceed
the sum of 5000 per annum, and THEY shall
not be entitled TO charge, collect or re-
ceiye any other CT mpensation or commute
ton or commission. unless their own ~
divldual board and lodging II they shall Be
REQUIRED to reside within the institutions to
which they are attached. Each Of said
storekeepers or accountants shall before
entering upon the performance OF bis du-
ties make and file with the comptroller of
public accounts a bond In the sum of
$50 600 payable to the State OF Texas. con-
ditioned for the full. faithful, accurate and
honest performance of his duties. The
offices or positions OF steward. quertermas-
ter or other similar position heretofore ex
listing in any and all of said named in-
sttutions are abolished.
Section provides il shall be the duty of
the purchasing agent to purchase all sup
plies. merchandise and articles of every
description needed for the Inaintainance and
operation Of said asylums and institutions,
baslng his purchases upon estimates fur
nished him by the superintondents or other
authorized representatives Of said institute
tions, and all purchases so made shall
be made after full notice by advertisement
Of not less than two weeks in ut least
three of the leading newspapers of the
state, TO be selected by said agent. Such
advertisements shall call for sealed bids or
proposals TO furnish the desired articles
and supplies, and shall name quantity.
quality, time and place of delivery.
IN all cases he shall require bidders TO
state the prices at which they viii fur
nsh a specific quantity, or quantities, of
the desired article. and also tho prices
at which they will furnish as much as
may be needed Of such articles or sup
plies for a longer or shorter period, as
may be deemed suitable aud cheapest for
| the State.
Section ! provides that any and all bids
or proposals shall be accompanied by
good and sufficient bond or certified cheek
in such sum as the said purchasing agent
may require
Sec s. All bids shall be opened on tho
dates specified In the advertisements for
the same, and such opening and inspection
of the bids shall be made by the purchas-
| ing agent in the presence OF the comp
| troller, the superintendent OF the asylum
or institution TO which 1t applies, as we'll
as the governor and members OF the
boards of managers or trustees II they
shall desire TO be present.
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