The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-03-24

THE GAS MoNopoLy.-H we are not very much
mistaken, number OF petitions, signed by several
thousands Of our most respectable citizens, were
presented to the Common Council, some time since,
praying of that body that they would declare the
contract between the city and the two gas CON-
panies void, and that they should form depart
ment OF the city government, similar to the Gro
ton Water department, that would furnish our
citizens with gas in the same way as they are pro-
Wded with water, viz, at the cost OF production
Was it only gas
The committee to whom this subject was re-
ferred, must bear In mind, that this matter the
people Of the city of New York have made up
their minds; that they have concluded seriously
that they will not any longer submit to the extor-
tons that have been practised upon them for
great length of time; and that, come what may,
the business of lighting the city must and shall
be taken out of the hands of monopollsts. There
is but one mind and one opinion, we believe, on
this subject, among the people of New York, and
especially the gas consumers. They have reflected
great deal on the subject, and the more they have
reflected, the more they are determined that the
city authorities must, sooner or later, take
the matter of lighting the city into their own
hands. The present Common Council must not
suppose, because there has apparently been
hull In the gas excitement, that it has ceased. If
they do, they deceive themselves, for there never
was matter on which there was more unanimity
OF opinion than there is on this. 1t has been can
vassed and deliberated upon, day after day, and
week after week, and conclusion has been ar
rived at, which cannot be shaken Need we men,
ton what that conclusion is Is 1t mere gasl
Under these circumstances, therefore, all eyes
are directed towards the committee to whom the
petitions were referred. A report has been
pected before this, and their silence has caused
great deal of conversation around town. The pub
tic look upon the question OF gas as one Of more
than ordinary importance. After suffering patient
ly for years and years, they at length determined
that the time had arrived when patience ceased to
be virtue, and when they should, as right, de-
mand redress. They accordingly submitted their
complaints to the Common Council, and 1t rests
with that body to say whether their reasonable
request shall be complied with or not. If, as is
alleged, the two gas companies have forfeited their
contract, by violating its provisions, by deceivlng
the public in the quality of the gas which they fur
nish, as well as by cheating them the price, We
should think there would be no difficulty in de-
claring it rescinded, and forming at once gas
department of the city government. We know
that great many influences will be brought to
bear on the committee to whom the subject has
been referred, but know, too that they will dis
charge their duty fearlessly. We are decidedly
in favor of dissolving the union between the city
and the gas monopolies, and We have no doubt but
that the committee will be of the same opinion,
when their report Is made. We shall see, how
ever, how much gas is in it,