The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-27

People who adopt new inventions or venture on
experiments are generally compelled to pay Every
'dear for their whistle" and Baltimore forms no
exception to the rule. Whether they are ulti-
matey successful or not, it somehow happens that
they woefully miscalcuae either the cost or adj
vantages Of their enterprises. In some instances,
no matter how liberal may be the margin left for
contingent expenses, the estimates on which the
work is originally undertaken prove to be insig-
nifcant as compared with the amount finally alb
sorbed. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is a
fair example of this sort of mistake, and if those
who incorporated that Company with capital of
three million dollars had contemplated an expen-
diture of thirty millions we may presume they
would have hesitated to endorse the project. At
other times the errors committed are of different
character. The results of an adventure are sup
posed 10 be doubtful, and il consideration of that
fact, the public surrenders its right to enter into
competition with those shO are disposed to engage
in it. 1t shortly appears that the profits of the
business are enormous and the community must
submit to the monopolists for years, and pay for
the very necessaries of life twice thrice as much
as would have been charged under other circum-
stances. The Gas Company affords an illustration
of this class of cases. AS Baltimore took the lead
of other cities in promoting both of the improve
ments alluded to, it has met the usual fate of pro-
ecors and has paid the penalty of heavy taxes and
serious sacrifices 1t has borne these with lit
tie patience and is hoEorably dischargng its obi
cations, and it is not to complain of, or even to
regret the past that now refer to it. But, con-
sidering the burthens which this city has hereto
fore assumed, it is not unreasonable in it to pro-
test henceforth against being compelled to support
them an hour longer than it contracted to do. On
the contrary, it is but just that the Legislature
should seize every occasion to relieve of the i'm
positions to which we have been subjected. Now,
therefore, when large and wealthy corporation
are asking that their privileges may be enlarged
and their powers extended, we trust it will not be
forgotten that the interests of the citizens at large
of paramount Importance to those of any Company
whatever. But if we are to be called on to make
further sacrifices, cannot believe that the cor
porations we have mentioned have any claim upon
US. Certainly the Gas Company has none, and
yet we are unquestionaby to be the sufferers if its
application for permission to increase its capital is
granted The object Of the present movement is
simply to enable its directors to continue theil
present system, and to declare magnificent dv
dends without attracting the notice of the public
1t is already reaping such returns upon its presen
capital as few, if any, incorporated companies il
the city can boast, and its stockholders NAV wei
be content with their present gains. The commu
nifty which has so long paid exhorbitant rates 70
bad gas has right to demand that these monopo
lists shall be left where The law now leaves them
On no conceivable principle are they entitled t
the special favor of the Legis AZURE. They are s.
strong already that they neither regard complaint
nor fear competition. Even the endeavors of tn
Legislature to afford us some protection they hav
successfully resisted, and the Act passed two year
ago providing for the appointment of an Inspecto
of Gas by the MAYOR has, under what influence
we know not, been treated as dead letter. VIII
then should this Company be any longer fostere
by the State? Its has grown rich through tn
franchises already granted it, and it has not deal
so literally bv our citizens 10 justify tin askin
from any source, one solitary privilege beyon
what its charter now contains.