Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-05-09
EVENING STAR.
WASHINGTON:
WASHINGTON GAS COMPANY.
MONDAY, MAY 9, 1853.

1t must be manifest, we think, to the
citizens of Washington, that all the articles
in the EUening Star touching the action of
the Washington Gas Company are designed
for the public good.
ono evelled malice, infects one comma
Of the course we hold.'
The Star would as soon do favor, per-
sonally, to any individual connected with
the Gas Company as to any others of our
fellow citizens. But the abuses inseparably
connected with all corporations for the
supply of any public necessity it is our duty
as conductors of an independent press faith
fully to expose-let the consequences be to
us what they may. There is no other way
of permanently reforming such public evils
but by means of the public press.
1t is far more pleasant to applaud than it
is to censure. We can say several good
things in praise of the Gas Company; and
when we think the proper time has come,
we shall say them. Our line of duty to the
public, our only masters, now lies in diff
ferent direction; and we shall pursue it
fearlessly, at all hazards. The people are
sustaining US noby; and that is all we ask
1t is our highest honor to be regarded as the
faithful servants of the people.
In discussing the Gas Question there are
several points deeply interesting to the peo-
pie which we feel bound to continue to pre-
sent in the Star.
The first Of these we will now name, is
the authority Testt d by Congress in the pre-
sent Gas Company. This authority, we wish
it to be distinctly borne in mind, is subject to
the authority Of the municipal government of
Washington. The Congressional charter
given to the Gas Corporation was merely
intended to invest it with the power of sue
ing and being sued. Congress had no idea
of making the Company an independent mo-
nopoly, having no responsibility to the au-
thorities and people of Washington CITY,
Far from it.
1t Was the design of Congress merely to
allow the Company to be treated as a corpor-
alton, also, by issuing a certain amount of
stock. This stock was not intended to be
mere speculation. 1t was designed to be a
national matter, subject to the legal control
of the municipal authorities of the Capitol
City.
Now In this view of the case it is that the
people have an undoubted right to examine
closely into the acts of all the bodies located
here, that are authrized by their servants
in Congress- If it can be shown that gas
may be made and supplied to the people
and their Government at the rate of two
dollars and fifty cents for one thousand
cubic feet, then the community have a right
to inquire into the matter. 1t is believed
that this can be done, saving to the people
many thousands of dollars every year, and
yet pay all concerned well for their neces-
sary labor.
Inregard to the location of the Gas Works,
it is an undeniable fact that Congress and
the City Government have right to locate
hem where they please. 1t is the opinion
Of many influential citizens, that they ought
to have been placed, at first, as far down
as the junction of the Potomac and the
Anacostia. The only additional expense
would be for pipes, while land would be
cheaper, and all the facilities much greater.
By means Of such a location large portion
of the city, now almost wholly left in the
dark, could be Lighted to sufficient extent
for all practical purposes; and new routes
of travel, at night, would be opened to the
enterprise and taste Of our people.
A strong point with us has been, and still
is, the making gas more plenty aud still
cheaper. Is it true, as has been stated in
our hearing, that Washington gas is not
as good as that of Philadelphia, while it
costs considerably more? Let the people |
have correct answer to this question.
We have more to say on this important
matter, which we reserve to subsequent
issue of the Star. Meanwhile the Gas Com
pany may rest we'll assured that while we
are faithful to the public we shall do it no