2

was entitled to have the best bid which could be gotten from rival
bidders with full notice to bid. I am unwilling to give my endorsement
to a matter of this kind which has been closed in the summary manner
this has been; it was in effect snap judgment as against the public.
The semi-consideration which was by force of circumstances given to
one or two other parties after these rigid and seclusive instructions
have been sought and obtained, does not relieve this procedure of
its objectionable character. The very fact that when the slight
competition that by accident or force of circumstances came to the
front, the Sprinkling Company then for the first time offered to do the
work for less than under the old contract, shows the bad policy of
cutting offfree, full, and fair competition, and especially shows the
mistaken judgment of the committee in asking the City Council to
instruct it to make a contract upon the terms of the old contract. The
city will forever have the worst of the bargain; will forever have the
laboring oar and be rowing against the tide if vantage ground can
be given in this way to those contracting with the city. Any good
intentions of the committee or any strength of conviction on their
part that their course was the proper thing for the city, can't
relieve you as members of the Council from responsibility in this
matter.

Second. The proposition made contemplates the unrestricted
use of the nozzles of the city on the fire plugs, the constant use of
which, I am informed, requires frequent repair and expense to the city;
and I am informed that it is dangerous to have such constant use for
that when a fire might come, the threads might be so worn as to make
the firemen unable to use the hydrant which would result in danger
before repair could be made. There should be separate fixtures or
attachments to be used for getting water for sprinkling purposes. The
old contract had a provision that the Sprinkling Company should not
connect the firehydrants except such as are already prepared for
such connection, and that the Company should put in standpipes at all

(2)