The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-07 00:00:00

LONDON, .WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1866.

It must be a satisfaction to all lovers of improve-
ment that the House of Commons should have
passed the second reading of the City Gas Bill. Of
course there was a considerable opposition to its
progress, as there always is to the introduction of
such measures. Mr. CRAWFORD, in moving the
second reading of the bill, declared that the interests
of the gas consumers, not only in the City, but also
of the whole metropolis, were concerned in this
endeavour; and this was strictly true in all respects.
The hon. member entered into a detailed account of
the gas arrangements in the City, and showed how
necessary it was for some change to be made. Com-
mittees of the Home of Commons in 1858 and 1859
investigated the subject, and consequently an act was
passed, by which the whole supply of gas is now
regulated. This measure, however, did not affect
the City BO a, to
confer advantages upon it, but
after it became law it was found out that it annulled
the arrangement made between the authorities
there and central consumers of the gas companies.
As might have been surmised
this company imme-
diately confederated with others, and
the prices
were raised to 48. 6d. per 1,000 feet,
whereas before
it was not more than 4a,., with a promise
of further
reduction.
The inhabitants very naturally
Com-
plained, and the Corporation continued to seekm _cans
of redressing the grievance. The result has been
that the bill has been introduced into the house to
allow the manufacture of gas for the use of the City.
The Corporation have not acted hastily, for they
have conferred with the chairmen of the gas com-
panies before introducing this measure, and they
stated that it was impossible for them to reduce the
indefinite
time of gas just yet, but spoke of some
time when they could do so. Mr. CRAWFORD met
the objections that had been raised in a very suc-
cessful manner, and stated that Parliament had
already sanctioned the principle of this measure, for
in many instances good water was supplied to the
inhabitants of different places by corporations.

to us.

fit of
The hon. member also proposed for the bane i
the rest of the metropolis that an inquiry
made to ascertain whether the r equiremenshtsollortbhee I
Lord CRANBOURNE moved Act of 1860 had been compeldiedthwaitthe.l:b
bill be read
a second time that day six months, on the ground
that to sanction the measure would be to breain
faith with the gas companies. Mr. ADAIR,
seconding the amendment, spoke very strongly
against the proposition, and declared that the Corn-
mon Council of London had " shown a weak and
spasmodic activity" in bringing this bill before Par-
liament instead of going to the Home Secretary.
This is a curious description of the affair to begin
with, and it must be evident to all well-informed
and experienced persons that it is a very poor re-
source to apply to the Home Secretary, or
to any of the Ministers, if it is desired
that a particular inconvenience should be put,
a stop to speedily and effectually ; and the
City authorities are greatly to be commended for
the discernment which they have shown in this af-
fair. It proves the difficulty that always attends
the introduction of this class of alterations, when we
consider the excitement that is displayed in their
discussion. The City authorities have so far gained
their point, but it has been at the expense of a great
many rude hits and questionable compliments.
Mr. _ADAIR inquired of the House, "If they looked
at the Corporation as traders, was there ever a
more conspicuous example of civic torpor and admi-
nistrative incapacity ?" Mr. AYRTON was also very
satirical in his observations. He said that the
Corporation of the City of London took no part in
the inquiry that had been made in this matter ;
" in fact it never took part in anything that was
for the benefit of the inhabitants. But if the City
Corporation now proposed to spend its resources
for the benefit of the inhabitants, it was to be hoped
that it would be permitted to do so, for it was the
first time that it had passed from gastronomy to
gas." The bill was referred to a Select Com-
mittee, and instructions are to be given to in-
quire into the operation and results of the Metro-
polis Gas Act of 1860. This is so far satis-
factory; and we may consider it a triumph
against monopoly, and a victory over pre-
judice, the more to be rejoiced at as the
welfare of the community is at stake, by the
undue toleration given to these companies, who
for the most part look to individual interests before
seeking to promote the general benefit of the pub-
lic. Mr. ROEBUCK wisely remarked that there were
several very large gasometers in the City, and from
the disastrous accident which occurred on the south
side of the river some time back, it would be well for
the committee to inquire how far the existence of
gasometers was consistent with the safety of the
City. The hon. member's remarks before the
division were very appropriate. He denounced the
course that had been taken respecting this measure,
and declared that, instead of disposing of it in the
unseemly way which some desired, they were bound
to send it to " that tribunal which the wisdom
of Parliament had long since appobited for
the consideration of private bill legislation." Sir
G. GREY put the question very fairly when he
proposed that an inquiry should be made, because it
disposed of the chief difficulties of the case, and
gave a fair promise of justice being done to the rest
of the metropolis. The public have often of late
been disgusted at the accounts received of the in-
tolerant and arbitrary way in which the gas com-
panies have managed things. Those who made
complaints concerning the quantity of the gas sup-
plied have often been told to pay up what they
used, or else their gas would be cut off, instead of
their grievances being redressed, which is not at all
' a suitable way of conducting affairs, and one calcu-
lated to promote the advantages of those concerned.

The fuller details which we continue to receive
from the United States respecting the political
situation do not remove the impression created by
the telegraphic summary. The firm and resolute
action of 'the PRESIDENT respecting the Freedmen's
Bureau Bill appears to have startled the Radicals,
while it pleased the people, who are always ready
to applaud any bold and decisive measure. It is
somewhat unusual to find an American statesman
acting independently of party considerations, with-
out any regard for the opinions or wishes of his
immediate supporters or of his own prospective
interests. What with the periodical election of the
PRESIDENT, and the payment of the members of
Congress, which makes them in a manner depen-
dent on their constituents, and is totally destructive
of public spirit, politicians in America are very much
fettered. The PRESIDENT pro tem. is, in fact, almost
the only man who, as Mr. JOHNSON observed the
other day to a deputation, can afford to do what he
thinks right, but that must be on condition that he
is indifferent to abuse and opposition, and not de-
sirous of re-election. At the present crisis Mr.
JOHNSON has a hard battle to fight, since the ele-
ments of discord and convulsion are unusually
strong, aLd the questions he has to de-
cide are exceptionally difficult and momen-
Happily for all parties, the PRESI-
DENT is a man of singular firmness and
decision. Having once made up his mind as to the
wisdom and advisability of his reconstruction policy,
he has fully resolved to carry it out in face of all
opposition, being convinced that the exceptional
legislation in favour of the negro was as injurious
to himself as it was inconsistent with the rights and
interests of others. Mr. JOHNSON has deter-
minedly opposed it. At the same time he has not
only openly declared that he wishes to give the
negro every chance, but he has consistently sup-
ported all reasonable measures on his behalf,
and has been the first to solve the difficulty of
providing for his maintenance by proposing his re-
turn, under the guidance and protection of the law,
to the old familiar work of the plantations. The
division of opinion between the PRESIDENT and his
quondam supporters has been long known, and it
was easy to foresee, from the extravagant and do-
mineering tone of the ultra-Republican party since
the meeting of Congress, that a trial of strength
must come before long. The PRESIDENT, like a
good general, has, however, taken his adversaries
by surprise, and by selecting one of the least objec-
tionable of their bills for his open disclaimer has
boldly declared war. The Freedmen's Bureau Bill
has notwithstanding a great many objectionable fea-
tures, and would be liable to grave abuses. It rendered
the State laws nugatory where the negroes were
concerned, it placed eleven States under permanent
military government; it encouraged the freedmen
to idleness, to which every one admits they are
already too prone ; it involved a serious and con-
tinual outlay of public money at a time when
the finances were already embarrassed ; while
it would to a certainty foster those antagonisms
of race and locality which it should be the first
object of every patriot to mitigate and remove. By
one clause a Southern magistrate who attempted to
enforce the laws of his State would be liable to be
summoned before a military officer and imprisoned
for a year, so that we may easily perceive the chaos
and anarchy into which the Southern States would
fall, and the ready excuses that would be found for
maintaining a species of martial law throughout
them.

By the term of the bill, too, the military courts