The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-01-14

on their commodity they please, they do not
ask any one to burn their gas who prefers
tallow candles, which we take it as a proof
| OF their independence. II consumer finds
fault OF mis- bill, they have a right to say to
him, "shat it off SIR" we do not contend
that this is extremely polite, but neverthe-
less, their prerogative. On the other hand
| II the consumer does not like TO find fault
and objects to paying such charges, he can
say "cut it off" and no one can say to him,
| you shall burn it. This state of affairs then,
this perfect state of independence betty
| the furnisher and the consumer, makes evil
! dent the fact that there is no obligation on
the one to furnish or the other to consume;
| this then implies the right of the consum pr
| to supply himself where he chooses, and al
| once establishes the right of any one, or
| body of consumers to furnish themselves
! where they may see fit. Here then we arrive
at the right of any number of persons to es-
tabsh new Gas Works for the purpose of
| supplying any or all who may desire to con-
sumo their production.
| The right then to establish another depot
| for the manufacture and distribution OF gas
having been established, the next question
in political economy which presents itself, is
| the propriety, or rather is it advisable. We
think it is an axiem in political economy,
that all articles of consumption should be
furnished to the consumer as cheap as the
| proper production of that article will allow ;
nj do tba ali of ~ oIo
and unless it will then compare in quality
and price with other articles which might be
substituted, there is no economy in it. If
then the present Gas Company are furnish.
ing gas as cheap as it can be manufactured
in this city, where is the use of second
company which would divide the receipts,
reduce the profits and ultim ately result in a
loss which by destroying the value of the
property involved would be certain injury
to the community. If, however, the Gas
Company are not furnishing the article of
consumption as cheap as they consistently
can they are imposing an onerous tax upon
one portion of the community for the speci al
benefit of another, andare acting in direct
| opposition to all established usages of politi-
cal economy; and the formation of new
company, which would furnish the article at
fair price, would be just and polite.
| The next question for the consideration of
the people, would be the effect of new COM
pany for the production of gas. The inevi-
table result of competition would be the re-
dsction in the price of the article just what
we want, says the hasty reader, who Jumps
at a conclusion-but not so hasty, what
would be the result of this reduction ? why
one or the other of the companies would
| have to succumb to the conflicting tide, and
| the consequence would be-
First, the depreciation of stock which
would cause loss to the holder.
Secondly, the weaker party would be
forced to the wall, and the humiliation of |
the company, would be followed by its con-
comtant evils of destruction of property |
which all must admit, under any circum-
stances, to be subversive of the interests
of the city.
Thirdly, when one of the two companies
had been swallowed up by the other, and all |
its property lost to the city, there would be
no guarantee that the still remaining COM
pany, to retrieve its shattered fortunes,
would not, vampire like, feed upon the blood
of its customers, and fix the price of gas at
even higher rates than are now charged.
Here the fable of the stork and the frogs
presents itself so torcibly that we cannot re-
sist referring our readers to A2sop.]
Another view: Suppose the new Gas
Company is formed and the city takes $780, |
| 600 worth of stock, and in the competition |
the new company find self the weaker par |
ty of the two, how will it effect our city |
script? Does not every thinking man in |
the community see at once that our NUM- |
cipal bonds, which are already shamefuly |
low, must be reduced to a still lower figure, |
and the credit OF the city thus made to suf. |
| fer?
The great fault with the parties who
have managed the affairs of the city here
totore, has been that they knew too little
[ political economy; and we warn them that
| this is the time, of all others, when those in
| power should be thoroughly conversant
with the element of that important phi.oso.
! ply.
| We do not wish it understood that we are
| opposed to this or any other move which has
for its aim the benefit OF the community; but
as the sentinel upon the watch tower, it is
our duty to lay all matters in which the
| rights and property of the people are in
yolved, fairly and dispass ionately open to the
gaze of all, and let them see where they are
treading.
If then, the movers in this scheme cannot
| procure reduction on the price of gas from