The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-11-26
GJt4peeklq Gpll1et
Thursday Morning: Nov 20, 1854.
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Gas Lights.

IIChtOI', ~. ~, IcldllFc W lHc lHCTO-
duction Of Gas worksin Baton Rouge :;
and as every thing relative to the in
tcrhal economy Of the city, has ten
doncy to enrich its citizens, we deem
the matter Of sufficient interest to en-
gage the attention of the public. As
a matter now, Of" economy" leaving
out Of consideration The advantage and
convenience of Gas, it should meet
with immediate. consideration. OF
curse, we could not recommend it,
or Lighting the streets only; because
the lamp light now furnished, is sufi-
cient ; but if for Lighting the public
buildings, and private houses, it may
be shown as it can be, that it will be
saving Of thousands Of, dollars to our
citizens, who are now at the mercy of
fluctuating lard oil and star candles,
we think that the Board Of Selectmen,
With an eye to the public good, should
at least entertain the proposition long
enough, to see by the figures that there
is not only economy but a very great
economy in the use Of Gas. After
very desperate struggle on the part
Of the friends Of light" we succeeded
in getting twenty-five neat iron col
umns put up in the most public streets,
and they are lighted now semi-occa-
sionally. The only objection to them,
is, that they cannot well be moved,
from corner to corner, SO that every
mans door may be alike benefited by |
'the light; to pay for the oil of which
the.city has to incur such a ruinous
outlay Thisswe sayis misfortune,
90 late now, to- be remedied. The
rs lamps, are kept up at an expense
f $1,000 per anpum. This .is$40 for
ach. Whereas gas will cost but $35
nd give four times the amount Of
ght. We makeextractfom thelct-
ar referred to, to show the cost of
has 4 III 1as#ft Ht} @& at
"The cost Of introducing the light
nto stores and dwellings varies with
he sizes Of the buildings and the ex-
ent to which the pipe is run-Gas
oipein buildings costs about Is to 80
;ents per running foot-after which
he cost of fixtures may be as low as
~ 80, for 4 double bracket light to
from Toto $50 for chandelier light
giving volume equal to 10 candles
will cost about 2 cents per hour.
Each street lamp burning oil night,
Jay 1900 hours per annum will cost
he city not exceeding $35 year.
Experience teaches us whenever
las is introduced into a city or town,
it drives out candles and oil,s conse-
luently it must be more economical
convenient and safe indeed with us
own is not dignified with the name Of
! city unless It possesses this 'indispen-
fble comfort Many towns in the
North with a population not exceeding
300 inhabitants, have Gas works,
shich pay good dividends.
Here VIC see that a single jet of Gas
a the store or dwelling, furnishing a
light equal to 10 candles, will cost
lot more than . cents an hour, which
considering the labor bestowed on
amps and candles, makes the Gas at
east fifty per cent cheaper, We have
10 time to hunt for statistics to show
What amount is yearly expended by
he people Of this city, for soil, !" but
presume 1t cannot be much short of
wenty five Or thirty thousand dollars
Ter annun1l, and if ten thousand Of !
his can be saved by the use of Gas, !
learly enough is husbanded up to pay
he legitimate expenses ef the city ,,
-'.sl3 -.ts3.s'l l5J
We suggest this matter for the con-
liberation Of our citizens, and shall re-