The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-02-23

such as dry goods and groceries, of which we can
Judge by the eve and hand TO a much greater de-
gree is protection required in respect to article,
the sale Of which is a monopoly in the hands Of
single corporation, which in substance is ETHEREAL
and impalpabe, and can neither be seen or ham
died. We are therefore decidedly in favor of the
passage OF Il law establishing standard meter for
the measurment of gas requiring the gas company's
meters 10 be stamped in conformity to this stand
ard, and providing for the appointment of nspec-
tors for the enforcement of the law.
Steps should be Immediately taken by the par
ties interested, to wit: the whole gas-consuming
community TO obtain the passage of such a law be
fore the adjournment of the present legislature.
We have one further suggestion to make. The
consumption of gas is matter of public necessity
as well as private convenience. We require it at
our street corners, and in our lanes and alleys as
well as in parlors and counting rooms-for the
protection of our lives and property, well for
the illumination of our houses, and display of our
wares. 1t is not safe that in a matter of such pub
lie Importance, and for the supply of so necessary
an article-as necessary as light ITSELF the commu-
nifty should be dependent on private corporation
any accident happening to which in the course of
business or otherwise, might leave our streets in
darkness, our necks and limbs in danger of pitfalls
and icy pavements, our lives and property at the
mercy of the assassin and robber
1t is much the duty of the city to see that the
streets are well lighted by night as that they are
well paved. 1t is true, We have no very exalted
opinion of the efficiency of present police, but
fba o;r
with a better SYSTEM We regard gas-lamp, bright
ly-burning on the corner of q street, as a better
protection than policeman.
Mr.. Gray in his treatise on Operative Chemistry,
speaking of the beneficial effects of the introduction
of gas, on the morals of society in great cities
says:
- From the more brilliant manner in which oul
streets speaking Of those of London) are lighted
by gas, than they ever were or could be- by oil Oh
tallow, there is greater degree of security both
in person and property, for every class of honest
men. Grimes cannot now be committed in dark.
ness and secrecy, and as the risk of detection in
creaSes the temptation 10 guilt is diminished and
thus coal gas, by the brilliant light it sheds in oul
streets, has worked and is now working a mora
reformation. The housebreakers and pickpoclets
dread the lamps more than the wachmen and
more efhcacious measure of police was never intro
duced into society, than that from gas lights
Upon these grounds therefore, as matter O
public police, and from considerations of economy
we are clearly in favor of the establishment of City
Gas Works, at the expense of the Corporation anG
under the control and management of the Mayor
and City Council for the public supply, and fol
that Of private consumption. The first outlay re
quired for such an enterprise may undoubtedly b,
large, but the saving in the Citys bills, and thu
revenue derived from private consumers who vii
pay for what they use, will render it in the enc
the cheaper plan for the city, while if no divi
dends are 10 be paid to private stockholders,
reduction can be made in the price of gas, which
apart from greater fairness in the measurement
will render it more desirable arrangement for con
sumers. If any profits accrue, it is better that hey
should find their way into the City Treasury, ant
be applied to the reduction of our taxes than tina
they should go to form the revenue of corporation
which has utterly betrayed the popular trust re
posed, when by the public bounty and legislativ
enactment it was invested with corporate power
and franchises, designed to be used not less 70
public than for private ends
If Mr.. Swami has any ambition to distinguish
his civic administration by popular measure o
useful legislation, he has now the opportunity
We have furnished him with the hint.