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

1t has been said that Corporations have no
souls" the truth of which observation has been
abundantly illustrated in the case of the Gas Light
Company OF Baltimore, corporation which can
not be accused at least OF the possession of con-
science. Otherwise, there would not be the foun-
dation which, believe, really exists for the uni
yersa complaint at present made against the recent
financial coup d etat which it has attempted upon
the pockets of our citizens The facts in the case are
simply as follows: The Gas Company have lately
made a reduction in their rate of charges from S4
10 50 per thousand cubic feet of gas consumed
The natural and reasonable supposition GU the part
of persons unacquainted with the peculiar financial
legsrdemain practiced by the Gas Company, was
that this reduction in the price of gas would be
followed by correspondent diminution in the
amount Of bills. This very pardonable anticipa-
ton on the part of gas consumers has been
most egregiously disappointed. The companys
bills for the first quarter succeeding the reduction
have been almost uniformly larger than those for
the corresponding quarters of previous years. Now
it cannot reasonably be supposed that the Gas
Company has heretofore been in the habit of
charging for less amount Of gas than was really
consumed. We acquit the company of any dispo-
sition to deal with the public on such generous
terms. Accordingly, there are but two explana-
tons which can be given of this increase in the
amount of bills. Either, from some unexplained
and inexplicable causes there has been universal
increase throughout the city in the consumption Of
gas during the past three MONTHS or else the COM
pany, under cover and show of pretended reduc-
lion in their charges has, in reality sought TO i'm
pose an additional burden upon the public. and
have pocketed more than they have lost by the
difference in price, by charging for more gas than
Is really consumed. We do not believe that there
are any facts to warrant the former supposition.
On the contrary, there is every reason to suppose
that the late financial pressure has induced gene
raj spirit of economy the part of our citizens
which has extended to this as well as every other
department of expenditure; that the comparatively
small amount of trade transacted in the CITY dprno
the past three months has enabled merchants and
shopheepers to close their counting-rooms and
stores at earlier hours thereby essening the amount
of gas consumed; and that the falling off in the
number and extent of social entertainments. from
the same cause, has produced like saving of pas
in private houses.
We have therefore no alternative but to adopt
the other conclusion, involving as it does the un
pleasant necessity of charging with dishonesty a
corporation in whose direction and among whose |
officials and stockholders, we recognize the names
of many most respectable citizens and estimabe
gentlemen. We should not have dwelt thus fully
on the evil complained Of if we did not regard it as
a matter of public Importance, requiring and adj
hitting of remedy The vendors of all articles /
which sold by weight and measure are re-
quired by law TO have their measures stamped in
conformity to the government standard. We do
not permit our trades-people to select their own
measures--the dry goods merchant to choose his
own yard stick, or the grocer to have his own pri
vate pound weight. Why should the gas company
be permitted to select their own meters? If there
be necessity for legislative protection against fraud
in weight and measure, in the case of commodities,