The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-04-22

reject all bids for the rernodeline
of the Marshall county court
house and adjourned. In the
maneuyer over $500 of the coun-
tvs money was spent by the
commissioners without any re-
turns, and which was absolutely
wasted. The rejecting of the bids
was not because they were deem
ed too high, far otherwise, for
each of the commissioners ad-
mitted that the bids ran easily
$4,000 lower than they had antici-
pated. The appropriation was
made by the county council for
the sum of $4,000, and the bid
OF Everly and Wallace, who were
the lowest bidders, was for $13,-
692. The Everly and Wallace
bid was below the estimate made
by the architect, and besides the
specifications, provided for the
remodeling of the windows of the
court house, making the bid con-
siderably lower than was expect
ed. The rejection of the bids was
due to the obstinacy of one men,
Der, Mr.. James Severns, who, it
seems, could not, or would not
have the bids explained to him.
Nathan Lee, who was strongly
in favor OF letting the contract,
refused to do so unless the action
OF the Board was. made unani-
nous. VIM. Troup stood in favor
of letting the contract to the low
est bidder.
Courts Dignity Lowered.
1t was said by those who were
summoned before the board, that
the action OF Mr.. Severns was
disgraceful to himself, and shame
fully lowered the dignity OF the
commissioners sitting in court.
When Mr.. Severns grew irritated
it is alleged, that he walked back
and forth in the commissioners
room, hurting forth a TRADE of
oaths and imprecations. against
everything and everybody con-
nected with the bids for remod-
cling the court house. The TRADE
was most unworthy of an officer,
chosen to represent the people
OF Marshall county, and when
asked to desist by other men,
bers Of the board, it is said that
hrs temper grew more fierce, and
seemed almost unbearable to the
other occupants of the room. The
irritability was caused because
Mr.. Severns misinterpreted the
law concerning the receiving of
bids, misinterpreted the bids
themselves, and absolutely refus-
ed to be informed either by the
county attorney, f. c. Martin
dale, or to permit the architect,
Mr.. Griffin of Fl. Wayne, who
prepared the plans and speciica-
tons for the Improvements, to
help explain the bids, or render
any advise upon them. The treat
ment of the architect was said to
be most uncourteous that gen.
orally in similar instances, the
advise of the architect is asked
by the commissioners, to prevent
being defrauded by bidders.
Thursday 1.-THE arcitect was ex-
cluded from the room when the
bids were considered, and was
not consulted at all.
Contention Over Bids.
The contention over which Mr..
Severns held out, was over the
letting of the general contract.
This general contract was pre-
pared in blank form by the coun-
ty auditor, and copy was given
to each bidder, who filled out the
blanks: The blank was ais fol-
lows:
General Contract:
To the Honorable Board of
Commissioners of Marshall coun-
ty. Gentlemen: | propose to do
the remodeling of your court
house according to the plans and
prepared by Griffin
and Fair, Architects. Fl. Wayne,
Ind, on the general contract as
follows: 1st. For all the work
called for in the plans and gem
eral specifications, excepting the
new floor for the entire first
story, the new roof, the finishing
off of the surveyors office, stair
ways etc, to connect the same,
changing sash, glass, etc, and
fancy decorating -. 2nd. Oak
floor as specified for the entire
hrSt floor .. 3rd. Terrazzo
floor and marble sanitary base
-. 18th. Galvanized iron roof
as specified without any ad-
ditional sheathing or extra sup
ports -. 5th. Tile roof as spec
flied with additional sheathing,
-. 9Th. Surveyors office finish
ed up in the room where the
present boiler is now located.
-. 18th. Remodeling windows
with new sash, plate glass ETC.,
according to the specifications,
-. Sth. Fancy decorating for
the court room according to
special designs submitted -.
There were two bids on the
general contract, one from Ar