The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-04-16
r1,r EXTENSION OF THE GAS WORKS.

,rsds and the works commenced apon the De-
1.e ,b., their entire cost would not exceed
s,ao0u0. They are now finished, and by Inc
abatement of the clerk the actual cost mas neeh
so46 GIG 10, but in this is included S5o,eoo ap-
rro,r;ated by the Council tor an addi'ionai
a.s holder. and an additional pair OF purifyers
s,,;.b were not included in the orig iual esli-
.,. Dsduc, this from the $246 Gle AZ and
tho eos, is shown TO have been $2l6,6l6 AZ, or
s76.6l6 42beyond the estimate. And now the
Committee on Light recommend, and the Coun.
ell have adopted the idea Of purchasing an ad-
ditional lot at Rockets, and Of erecting there
upon additional works, which, if experience is
10 be taken as guide, must cost large
amount, 10 say nothing OF the great inconve-
nience necessarily attendant upon having two
works nearly one mile apart, and the additional
expense involved for an additional set OF sub
ordinates and operatives.
Thus far our citizens have patiently borne
the expected cost for gas, but they are not
willing to countenance the determination of
the Council to erect new works at Rockets, or
any where else, unless il be plainly shown
that a reasonable necessity demands it. And
here we will call attention TO the remarkable
haste manifested by the Council in deciding
upon so important lining TO allow
time TO one of its members Conway Robin
son, ESQ y to examine into the subject ere he
was called upon TO vote, refusing courtesy
scarcely ever denied, even when very unim-
portant questions are involved.
II is our purpose TO examine into this more
carefully, and as the Committee on Light en-.
do7sed the opinions of the Superintendent, and
the Council confirm the committees opinion
and order commencement, we shall particu-
lerly comment upon the reasons given by the
Superintendent, promising by saying, that il is
because OF no spirit of opposition to. or dis.
satisfaction with this most excellent officer for
whom, in all relations of life, we entertain a
warm respect and esteem; but because the
subject is an important one and should be care
fully examined ere the design be consummated.
The Superintendent says in his report, that
There has been an unexpected increase in
private consumption this year," 1852.
This is an error, for in his report the year
previous, he says:
"The whole capacity of the holder is in or
about ll3, GOO, and not available to the amount.
From present appearances we of opinion
the demand will next winter overrun this by
10000 or 10000"
Now, in his report for this year he shows
tina, the quantity actually consumed in any
one twenly.four hours was but l27 ,S9l, which
is less than he contemplated by 15l09. And
the report Of the Committee on Light the year
previous estimates the quantity that will pro-
badly be consumed by private lamps to be
l3,662,6?9 cubic feet; the report of that com.
mittee for this year shows that the private con-
sumption has been but 1898, 800. So that
there has been no unexpected increase by pri-
yate consumers; on the contrary, this cons
sumption has not reached the quantity antic
pated. Indeed, the increase of consumption,
both public and private, only exceeds the esti-
mate made by the committee for the year
502,2ll cubic feet, which is only the quantity
now consumed by the city in about FIVE days.
Since then the demand for gas has not exceed
ed the expectations and estimates Of the CON-
mittee of last year, of which Doctor Chamber
Jayne was Chairman, and since that committee
Or the Superintendent made no suggestion for
second depo, of works, it must be regarded
as somewhat surprising to notice the sudden
and expensive move made by the Superinten-
dent, the Committee and the Council The
committee, through their Chairman, Doctor
Chamberlayne, said thus in their last years re-.
port:
"So soon as the means of supplying a large
amount OF gas is supplied by the erection of
an additional holder, the committee think that
II would be both just and expedient 10 reduce
Inc price OF II, and TO continue from year TO
year gradual reduction until il be sold at III o
same price they now recommend for the public
gas" $3.50 per 1000 cubic feet.
The holder here recommended, ha been erect.
ed OF capacity greatly beyond the first, and
the time, therefore, has arrived when the price
OF gas should be reduced in the opinion oil
that committee, yet nothing is said of any re-
duction, but the city is TO be additionally TAX
ed for another set of works down at Rockets
notwithstanding the consumption of gas has
not, but mere trife, exceeded the estimate.
The Superintendent says, in report he made
10 the Committee on Light on the 9Th of De.
eember, 1852
"ln view of the rapid growth of the citv
and the present demand for gas. am Of the
opinion the increase next year will be ia,
greater than the present one has been"
This is an opinion formed upon data com
mon to all your citizens, and, therefore, each
mas right to judge for himself Tha, more
gas WIN DC consumed each successive year, is
p'e'n' nut tina, the rate of increase will be
,a'se, each year, is not SO plain. The works
nave neen IN operation two years, a large npm.
Def Oh private consumers are registered. in
deed nearly all large establishments 49, -, :.
Inc following preamble and resolution os.-.s :.
HI. NooIsol, on Inc occasion speaks TO- ;."'r y,
voting for II noolnson alon
The Committee Light and the s,u..
0f the Gas works having in the renorrt ~ .
printed copies were yesterday distr;bn,toHi Whlc
members of the Council) representsJ - oy IN
should Immediately be taken to Obtain mo- St STEP
the gas works and some of the Council cot ano ie
that they have not al present before them a. Is
data to enable them now properly 10 as,es 81
where in view of all the circumstances the sSS;t
nj land wanted should be obtsined
Resolved, That the Committee on Light be ap,b
Yised TO inform the Attorney for the City wha. Ian
are wanted for the gas works, and that the Attorn
for the City then, after proper notice. move the HUI
A. .s-lG