Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-05-06
EVENING STAR.
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1858.
"Acting Sup. Wash. Gas" vs.. The Publ

sharp mlSSlVe OF the "Actlng sup WASH |
Gas Light CO.. Considering the name of
the worthy gentleman who signed the 'doc'
ument," it might be held as rather keen.
We rather think, however, that few plain
facts will "take off the wire edge"
In the first place, we cannot but admire
the nonchalance with which the "Acting
Sup" heads his pronunciamento,-"N No Gas
IN THE CANAL" He might with quite as
much propriety have headed it," No Sun
IN THE HEAVENS"
No gas in the Canal! Has the "Acting
Sup" any nose? or does he get his smelling
done by proxy? or is he never in the neigh
borhood of the Canal when it is as gassy
Ascertain members of Congress? Does
he know when the tide rises, and when it
falls?
AS Mr.. Niles remarks, the thick Uater of
the Canal, to which the 'sActing Sup" re-
fers, is matter of taste but this strong
gas on it's surface is a matter of smell. If
any one doubts that it is the pouring out of
refuse gas into the Canal that causes the
stencil in question, let him walk along the
embankment, or stand on either one of the
Canal bridges, at an early hour in the morn
ing. If our article that has so stirred up
the Acting Sup" is thousandth part as
full of violent misrepresentation and COM
ment'' as the Canal is Of fetid offal gas, we
will acknowledge that the Acting Sup" is
too keen for us. In the next place, will our
friend please inform the public Gas the build
ings Of his Co. are located Immediately On
the Canal, what, in his opinion, it is that
causes the very offensive odor in question,
if it is not his refuse gas? Will he also
state to the citizens, why it is that the Canal
always smells so bad in the morning, when
the most cast-off gassy matter is floating to
and fro on its surface? Will be further
more tell the people where his E" turbd
stream of offal gas' rolls, if it does not roll
through the very heart of the city?
Again: the "Acting Sup" sharply asserts
that ''the Gas Light Co. does not commit
any nuisance" adding the words
-"affecting either life or property" We
would respectfully ask if the disgusting and
disagreeable smell of floating offals, is no
''nuisance?" We would ask if it's long con-
tinuance and increase will not be injurious
to health? We would ask if the presence
of such offensive odors in that vicinity must
not deteriorate property?
Perhaps the worthy Sup" will decline
to answer these questions. If so, we can
tell him that the people will answer them
at the polls, at our next municipal election.
We are told, however, by our friend, that
"property has advanced in the region of
the works. No doubt of it. Property is
advancing rapidly all over the city But
will the amiable gentleman pretend that
property has advanced there in consequence
Of his works? Rather has it not advanced in
spite of them? And may it not be proved
in the end that the advance is mainly owing
to the marble works Sin the region ~ I'm
doubtedly it will The gas works lure
property in their immediate vicinity, and
there is no denying it.
Still again: We regret to see the "Acting
Sup" indirectly attempting to cast the
blame of this nuisance on the agent or work
men of the Company. The people have no
controversy with them. We are all friends
of the working classes, and do not believe
that they would be guilty Of the folly of
casting offal on the waters before their own
doors. The workmen Of the Gas Co., like
all others of the working classes, are ready
to obey orders. If they had not express
commands for emptying gassy matter in the
Canal, it would not be there.
In conclusion. We deny the asser ton of
the "Acting Sup" ''that the city corporation
had nothing to do with the location of the
Gas factory" We admit that the general
power came from Congress, but there was
and is special control invested in the CITY
Councils of Washington. But we reserve
further comments on this subject to a flu
ture occasion.
SIT Mr! Mr.. "Acting Sun" let there