The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-01

| Of his powers To describe the manner in which he
glided from profound argument into caustic irony,
humble abilities, but that he enchanted every heart
ear, and eye present, for than an hour, be
testified to by hundreds. Ere he concluded, he be-
came so excited by his theme as to forget his in
| frmities, and remove his arms from their supports
yet, to the astonshment of everybody he stood firmly
and added the most graceful action to his eloquent
harangue. AS he finished, Lewis, fearful Of an ac-
cdent, caught him in his arms, and fairly carried
him to his Seat. week after this incident, Con-
gress adjourned, and Mr.. McDuAie has never since
visited Washington city,"
The Gas Contract, Few Proposa, to the
City.
We learn that our recent expose Of the majority
report of the Gas Committee Of the Common Coun-
Gil, has created some surprise and confusion among
them They find that we were far better informed
on the gas question than they were themselves, and
that is impossible for them to deceive u.s. or throw
dust in the eyes Of the public, whilst keep watch
and ward for the Taxpayers. We are happy to
hear that there are some conversions in the COM
mittee and that the information we have furnished
has enlightened their darkness letter, too, from
Mr. Cresson, the superintendent of the Philadelphia
| gas works. has also contributed to the same re-
suits. In reply to some inquiries respecting gas in
''the City Of Brotherly Love-" Mr.. Cresson writes
| as follows:-
Your letter of the 18th inst asking for information
latve gas works. has been handed to me by
Mayor Gilpin with request that may communicate
with you the subject, and accordingly have the
honor to forward the following replies to your several
/ queries in the order they have been propounded-
The streets and private buildings lighted by the
gas works. which the property Of the Corporation
and managed by board Of trustees cleo ted by the
4 City Councils.
q The works were first put in operation in February
1896 at which time they belonged to an association Of
L
private trustees chosen entirely by the municipal autho
rites In March lS4l the city took possession Of the
works in accordance with made ut their
origin repaying to the individual propretors their ORR
gna investment and allowing them the profits accruing
in the five years amounting to ninetyour per cent OF
| the capital.
g. The capital has been increased. from time to time
to the extent required to meet the increase Of demand
which at this time Is very great The increase OF capital
derived partly from loans aud partly from the net pro-
fits Of the establishment The subjects Of this query
will be found in considerable detail in annual
port for the year just closed copy Of which will be
transmitted to you as it comes from the press
The entire debt contracted to this time Is 1857 900
redeemabe periods from 1861 to 1870 OF this
amount, $36576i so has been accumulated under the
operation Of the sinking fund which, at the present rate
OF incree will absorb all the debt years before it
will be due Az regards the price of gas, after the
tnguishmen Of the debt definite action has yet been
had The present policy aims at reducing the price
gradually until it reaches 50 per thousand cubic feet
with discount Of five per cent for prompt payment.
When that point shall be reached there will arise the
question Of future pocy-whether to sell cost de-
rive from the works in aid Of municipal taxation
From the tenor of the principal report you will per-
ceiye that the present condition of the establishment
Is highly prosper, and the lucid report recently made
by Alderman Dodge, Of your city which embraces an
accurate history Of II for the la cn years shows that
this prosperity has been cOntnuou Nul increasing dur
ing that time.
This letter endorses to the lullc extent, the mi
nority report, and proves that right in the
position we had taken, if any proof were wanting
beyond the unanswered and unanswerable facts and
arguments put forward in our former article. But
to make assurance doubly sure, and to show the
most sceptical what prize the city is about to let
slip out Of its hands, we shall demonstrate what
must be the profit Of lighting only portion of New
York, according to the present rates. We take as
data the quantity Of gas supplied in Philadel-
phia, though we believe the New York Gas Compa-
ny furnishes annually several millions Of cubic feet
more.
In lSi9 the Philadelphia gas works sold l27,67l,-
$50 feet of gas, at the following rates.
s.524aSo feet for public lamps at 81 25.... S3o656
200 do. to Spring Garden, Southwark and
Moyamensing, at 81 T5............. ls203
i2TAsoo do. to private consumers, ut 81 H.. 1ss474
IL 67l $50 cubic feet for s247 3l3
The average charge per 900 feet of the foregoing
quantity is therefore, 81 3d. and the clear profit adj
mitted to have been made is $4,000, after paying
the interest on their debt-s33, O00-or total gross
profit Of $50 900. The statement Of the New York
account would result as follows
l3sooooo feet to public lamps at 81 81 ... se5116
1lsoooooo do to private consumers, So Co... $4,000
II 500 900 fee, for.................... si2s1ls
Extra profit on coke, the price being double in
New York what 1t is in Philadelphia 1000
ro,al....................................s4as il5
Now, if we deduct the $50 900 profit from the re-
ceps Of sale Of the Philadelphia gas, it would give
US Sl57 1888 as the total cost of the gas supplied in
that city. The number Of feet supplied by the New
York Gas Company being $3.50 feet more, the
extra cost Of coal would be about $685. but, take it
in round numbers at Sl00-this would make the
total expense SI57 ,433. The profit to the New York
company would therefore, stand thus
Yearly sales of New York company ......... s43s116
Total
Profit. $751; s3
Such Is the enormous sum Of money annually
drawn from the pockets of the citizens Of New York,
to swell the Golfers Of few shareholders who have
already drawn hundreds Of thousands Of dollars from
the same source. There are few sections Of this
city in which the monopolists do not hold real
estate and it is estimated that their entire property
is worth four millions of dollars. The dividend is
nomnally per cent. But where can Gas Company
stock be purchased
What, then, becomes Of the majority report Of
the Gas Committee Of the Common Council, or Of
the report Of Colonel ChIds, by which it was
backedl
II appears there are certain parties ready to put
down mains and erect works to light the city, at the
following rates.Public lights at 81 per 900 feet;
private consumers at ~ 80 per 900 feet-thc
city to be allowed the privilege Of purchasing the
works at any time, by paying per cent interest
the outlay This is certainly better than the pre-
tent monopoly; but by no means so advantageous
as the Philadelphia plan, by which the city has its
own mains and works, and has the lighting in its