OCR Text |
Show THE PUBLIC INTEREST ALWAYS. Wo tako it for granted that, these Amcricnu mclnbers of tho Council who on Monday night resisted the award of a wnter-main extension contract to M.r. Percival, did not. fully comprehend tho fact that his bid was the lowest by .510,000, and that it was also a responsible respon-sible bid. It is true that there was a controversy contro-versy over his unfinished work of last year; but that, was easily adjusted, as tho result proved; Mr. Porcival was quite willing to proceed and completo if, provided tho Council played fair with himt and gave him the work which his bid called for, and to which ho was entitled. Ho has put up his forfeit; and tho contention is happily closed, to tho advantage of the city and the taxpayers. taxpay-ers. But thoso Councilman who voted against him evidently let their indignation indig-nation at his non-performance of his full contract Ihst yoar outweigh (heir sense of what was duo from them to tho public. The money saved to tho taxpayers by tho lowest bid, which ho put in, was good money for the city to have; and it is needed money. Tho chanco to savo it should not have been overlooked by any member of tho Council. Coun-cil. If any had the least doubt of Mr. Percival's ability and intention to do the work his bid called for. that doubt could easily havo been resolved .by the exaction of sufficient surely in bonds. Wo are sorry to see the American members of tho Council divide on a proposition like this. Tho duty of all to work for the best interests of tho city, for economy, for faithful observance observ-ance of the law, is out of the region of doubt. No personal feelings havo the least right to come in; no indignation, indigna-tion, no resentments; it should always bo the simple and single question, ''What is best for the city, to receive tho maximum of good results with tho least expenditure of money?" And when thnt question is solved, tho only thing remaining is to give practical and immediate effect to the solution reached. |