The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1908-01-09
CONTRACT AND BOND USELESS
State Could Recover Nothing
from Caldwell & Drake.
George W. Donaghey Tells Why He Favors
Discharge of State Capitol Con-
tractors and Architect.

Little Rock, Jan. Especial
correspondence-Shouldt the state
of Arkansas enter suit against the
bondsmen of Caldwell & Drake,
for alleged failure to work on the
state capitol building, as per con-
tract, not one cent could be col
lected according to statements
made by George w Donag hey,
who is in Little Rock attending to
some preparations for the continu-
alton of his campaign over the
state, in his race for governor.
Mr.. Hinemon is in tavcr of
completing the state capitol under
the original contract, with Cald-
we'll & Drake in charge - said Mr..
Donaghey, when interviewed by a
newspaper reporter, but let US see
what this means. 1t means tor
the state to continue the employ
ment Of a set of bribers. 1t means
that this commonwealth must now
endorse the policy of dealing with
dishonorable and dishonest scoun-
drels, instead of honorable citi-
zens. What is the original con-
tract? Here Mr.. Hinemon, just as
he did with his nonsensical pro
posal OF tax exemptions, has again
failed to investigate what the et-
feet of his proposition would be.
Where can any trace of the mate
rial existence be found in the orig
inal contract?
II have in previous articles to
the public shown where we have
been given eggshell veneers for
solid stone walls; where small
straps of iron, buried in sulphuric
acid, have been placed instead OF
of the mammoth beams that were
planned; where plain columns have
been substituted for the genuine
Greek huted columns that were
contemplated; where we paid S27,
900 extra for the eight columns
that by the original contract be-
longed to us. In fact, | have shown
where every. piece OF work TO have
been done under the original con
tract, has been a red handed rob-
berry instead Of compliance with
it, and where every page o! the
specifications and every sheet of
the drawings, as far as the work
has been done, have been changed.
But l am frequently asked the
question, Have we not bond to
cover just such violations as this?
No, we never did have a bond that
is worth the paper on which 1t IS
written, but, even If we did have
one, the life would have ebbed
away from it by the same process
that the original contract was
murdered. Whenever the agent
of the owner consents for change
to be made in the structural work
OF building, this change invali-
dates the obligation of the bond,
and defeats the object OF the con-
tract also. One h hange, two
changes, or it might occur, that
half dozen changes might be over
looked, but when all things have
been changed, as have been done
IN the capitol contract, then even
the best bond would be lnvahda-
ted. rne bond for completing the
capitol, like the original contract,
was only part OF a fabrication
tor the purpose ana mas served 10
rob the taxpayers OF the state.
Then, how could We complete the
capitol with justice to those tax
payers under contract whose on
ly mission now could be Tor moth
ing but to rob them. 1t Is indeed
a y ty that Mr.. Hlnemon won't Ill
vestlga,e sucn important matters
as these, before advocating them.
This original contract, as the
matter now stands, could by no
means be considered anything more
than an employment contract,
which because of the changes al
ready noted, would mean that
Caldwell & Drake would have TO
build the Arkansas State capitol in
any way they may choose to build
it, performing any sort of service
or furnishing any kind of materi
al, i'll any way or in any quantity
they might choose, and TO then
render a bill against the state for
their services for any amount that
they may deem expedient, or in
other words, any amount that the
taxpayers would stand for without
a general uprising OF the best cit
liens for the protection OF the
states treasury. Now, wiz NOV
ey we have lost on this Jot
forever, because the ag .ue
state have paid If to Caldwell 81