Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1854-11-02

consumers have had a full and fair opportu-
nifty to test the superiority of this kind of
light over oil, burning fluids, camphene, can
dies, &C., and also 10 ascertain accurately
what the difference is between the cost Of
gas and other articles of light. Gas bills
are paid ut the end of every month, and a
deduction of five per cent. is made to those
who pay their bills within three days from
their presentation,-which makes the cost
of gas $3.50 per thousand feet. During
the first few months after gas was intro
duced, some complained that it was too en-
pensivc, and cost them much more than
they had previously paid for other articles
of light. We were convinced at the time
that they were Incorrect /; however, We
preferred TO let them test the matter by ex-
pericnce, and then, in due course, they
would be satisfied with whatever the result
might be. The chief reason which proba-
bly, induced them to entertain this belief
was that they were paying a certain amount
of money at the close of every month for
their gas, and it consequently appeared to
be very large,-bocause they had previously
paid for their vil or whatever else they con-
sumcd, sometimes perhaps when they pur-
chased in small quantities, and of which
they kept no account, and Of course would
neither remember the frequency of such
purchases or the amounts paid at other
times they would purchase, and it would be
charged in family grocery bill, with other
articles, and they consequently would no,
separate the items for light, in settling a bill
of this kind,-and therefore but few knew
precisely what their light cost them, before
the introduction of gas. Being entirely
conversant with the affairs ofthe Gas COM
pany, we have had all possible opportunities
to be well and thoroughly Informed in re-
gard to all its affairs, and we have heard
accounts and opinions. during the year,
from a large proportion of the consumers,
both in regard to the comparative quantity
of light obtained from gas, as well as from
oil, fluids, &C., and also the obtained or I'M
agined cost Of each. Some persons have
ascertained by their bills, where they had
all their oil or fluid charged, what their
light cost them the year before gas was in
troduccd,-and by comparing this cxpcncc
with that for gas, the past year, they have
assured us that gas cost them 10 per cent.
less, while they had douJle The quantity Of
light from gas. Others, who were not
able to test the matter for an entire year,
have tried it for Il month, when the evenings
were of the same length, last winter, and
they inform us that the ratio was about the
same as in the cases we have stated tor a
whole year, in favor of gas. From the ac-
tual information we possess, we defy any
man TO prove that gas costs any more than
oil, or any of the fluids which are used
Then, with gas, there is no trouble, no
cleaning, or filling of lamps, no time thus
consumed, no lamps broken or turned over,
and no dresses, carpets, &c. destAycd,-
aud these are certainly important items III
the account. The consumers are gradual
ly increasing, and have more than doubled
during the year and, what is more, there
is not one person using gas who would dis
pense with it, and return to other kinds OF
light, if he could help it, even if his gas
should cost him something more. The on
ly way to reduce the price of gas, and make
it come still cheaper, and very much less
than any other kind OF light, is for every
one to burn it; in proportion to population,
the size of the works, and tho quantity of
street pipe already laid, the number Of con-
sumers is very small. On Spring street,
for instance, the street pipes extend from
Touro to Bowery streets, and yet in this long
range there are not more than eight consul
mers,-whercas, there ought at least TO be
seventy five. There are other streets where
a large amount of money has been eXpcnd-
ed in laying the main pipes, where the con-
sumption, in proportion, is not much great
err than in Spring. If those who burn gas,
and know its many eXcellencies, would in
huenco their neighbors and induce them al
so to introduce it into their houses and pla-
ces of business, it would be better for all
concerned, and it would materially tend to
reduce the price in a short time. They
charge nearly as much for Gas in Provi-
dence, as is charged in Newport, although
the works in the former city have been in
operation for more than six years, and the
consumption is quite general. All things
considered, such as the length of time the
works have been under way, the amount of
money expended on them, the number Of
consumers, and the excellent quality of the
article furnished, gas is cheaper and is
supplied at a lower rate in Newport than it
is in any other place in the United States
we speak by figures, and the assertion cam
not be disproved.