The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-03-06

10 the Editor or The POST
Houston, Texas, March 2, 1900.--As Il
have been competitor for city contract
work for the past fifteen years, which has
necessarily forced me into city politics
during that time, | feel that 1t is a duty
owe to this people among whom have
lived for the past twenty nine years, also
a duty | owe to myself to lake some part
in the present city campaign-especialiy
so, as expect no longer TO be COM
petitor for such work or 20 take any part
in city politics, 10 show my disposition to
be fair toward the present mayor, S. Fl.
Brashear.
will state that the first vote | ever cast
was for his grandfather, Alexander Nc
Gowan. Since then there has never been
time that either a MCGOWAN or a Bra
shear has not been before The people for
political honors, and l have been the
friend of all of them, without ever having
asked or received favor from any OF
them.
My efforts In city politics have been TO
do away with what is known as the old
cut and dried" principle of letting city
contracts and the carrying on of city con-
tract work.
Certain amendments to the city charter
have been brought about through my e.
| forts; one of which Is the creating OF the
board of public works; another is the
compelling of the city engineer TO make
M his estimates Of quantities before bids
are advertised-so that any one who IS
interested after bids are opened can take
his pencil and ascertain within the small
/ est fraction as to who Is the lowest bid
/ der--whereas before said amendment be-
| came a law the city engineer had II in
| his power TO make up his basis Of guam
| titles so as TO make 1t appear that the
highest bidder was the lowest another
amendment procured by me is the COM
pelling OF the city to include all standard
materials in advertising for bids, This
prevents a corner being made on my one
material, and gives the people mn oppor-
tunity to see what the difference in cost
1 Is under the several different materials.
One other amendment Ia necessary "a
| put stop to the frauds which have been
committed in the letting OF contracts, and
that Is to compel the city to award this
contract to whoever may be the lowest
bidder in whatever lines OF materials thai
may be adopted for use The city hs'
ample security against irresponsible bid
ders by requiring any size certified CHECK
that may be required 10 accompany th'
bid and TO compel the contractor to give
any kind of bond they may require.
here and now request the voters 10 re
Z
como candidates fer the Offices of sen
ator and representatives to add TINT
amendment to our city charter, compelling
the city to award all contracts to the low
est bidders in whatever lines of material
that may be adopted for use
] was not kicked out bodily by the pres
ent city administration. To the contrary
was told that something good would 3
prepared for me. My proud spirit though
robelled against a thing of that sort, 10
If had gotten that which was Justly n.
own would have gotten a plenty. Henc
! would not accept handout at the sid
or back door. thereby placing myself +
the position of a mendlcant and boat
lick.
In conclusion. | Will venture to say tha
people who are deep in business matter
are very superficial In city politics Nj
Brashear has been electioneering for tn
past two years. good many fash
things have been done by him which bav
caught the eye. OF the public; while MI
Browne has very recently been brough
into the campaign by his friends. Henc
ask of the voters in Houston to give
fair and impartial hearing to both eide
from now until the 29th which is YER
short time. and TO cast their votes &C
cording to their convictions The issue
in this campaign are Of very grea. in
terest to the city | assure you.
J. l.. HITTER.