Kelly v. City of Chicago

The board of public works of the city of Chicago, on the 24th day of November, 1870, advertised for sealed proposals for the construction of a new “ lake tunnel ” of the estimated cost of $400,000, the advertisement containing the following clause:

“ The board reserve the right to reject any bid not in accordance with the conditions of this advertisement, or to reject all bids; and no proposal will be accepted unless in due form, and unless the party offering it shall give evidence satisfactory to the board that he has the necessary skill, experience, energy, and ability for doing the work; is…