The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-01-13


" large number of the gas consumers of Thu
city met in Ashland Hall last evening. Th.
meeting was organized by calling James E.
barry, Esq, to the Chair, and appointing
James a. Saunders, Esq, Secretary. The
Chairman sta ted the object of the meeting
was to take some steps TO iorm a ne~ Gas
Company; or at least, to procure a reduction
in the rates charged by the preseat Gs-
Company, &c.
Mr.. Il. a. " orrell followed in lew re.
marks; in which he spoke OF the high rates
charged gas consumers at present; and refer
red to the lighting of the streets of Peters
burg; which, he said, were lit for So 900 per
annum, being about $4,000 less than had
beer paid by this city; and that too in face
OF the fact that there were only nine lamps
more in Norfolk than in Petersburg. He
then moved that Committee of FIVE be ap-
pointed to draft resolutions expressive of the
sense OF the meeting. This motion was car.
ried, and the Chair appointed the following
gentlemen: r. A. Worrel, Thos. Bottimore,
James II. johnson, G. Noe and A. j. DENLY,
who retired for the purpose of complying
with the requirements OF the motion. Pend
ing their absence, Mr.. L. H. Chandler made
his appearance.
The Chair-I see MIR Chandler in the house,
and we should be very happy to hear from
him.
Mr.. Chandler-Was not ignorant of the
intention of the meeting, but was ignorant
of what had been done; felt an interest in the
matter; and while he could not say much
about the matter in his house, he felt con-
siderable interest in the lighting of the street
lamps, particularly when one was out late at
night, as you (the Chairman) and are
sometimes.
He was here informed that the Commit.
tee had retired for the purpose of preparing
business.)
Mr.. B. Pebble handed IN statement, from
which we learned his gas bill for the quar-
ter ending December, 1858, was .3S; while
tor the corresponding quarter, ending 1859,
it was $75.l8; and this in face of the fact
that he used two burners less in SO than in
IS.
The Committee appointed to prepare bu
siness, now returned, and through their
Chsirman, reported as follows;
Mr.. Chairman--S our Committee have not
bad time to make as full report as they conld
have wished, but in hurried manner nave
prepared tn. following preamble and resolu-
tions
We find upon examination that there is
charter for another Gas Company in the
city Of Norfolk, obtained in N rch l849,
and recommen that new Gas Company be
organized, and that a committee of three be
appointed by the Chairman OF this meeting,
to wait upon the consumers of gas and other
citizens OF Norfolk, and solicit stock for the
same to the amount of $4,000. And that
said committee be authorized to wait upon
the council OF the city and request from that
body subscription to a part of the capital
stock thereof.
We find by examination of the books of
the Register, that the city of Norfolk has
paid the following SUM for lighting the city:
June "a '55 to,June "a $50, l0,432.94
June "a '56 to June "a '57, 7,155.l3
June "a '57 to June "a '5S, l0,45S 90
June "a '5S to June "a '59, 9,674.36
June "a '59 to Dec. I'd $50, C mon. 3,7ls.l0
Resolued, That New Gas Light Compa.
ny be organized under the charter obtain ed,
on the 18th OF Mar III ls49, in shares OF 500
each, and with capital of $4,000.
Resolved, That a committee of three be
appoin ted to solicit subscribers to the stock,
and said committee be authorized TO wait on
the councils to ask the city to subscribe to
said stock.
Nj. Worrell explained the operation of
the Gas Committee, and how they had at
one time contracted for gas by the foot, and
at another time by the lamps, and stated
that the present company was possessed of q
capital OF $4,000, at least $4,000 of which
had been sunk In the old gas works which
were abandoned when the new works were
constructed.
Mr.. Chandler desired to say tew words
before the vote was taken, he said "there is
n question butt this is an important mat
ter, he thought the gas could and ought
to be furnished cheaper, but before the re-
port is adopted committee should call on
the Gas Company and demand a reduction
in the price of the article; he said that they
would hardly pay attention to single indi-
vidual who ght call to complain, that one
dog in a chase did not make a pack, but if
this meeting called on them through com
mittee they might consent to make a reduc-
ii on in the price; ii new company was Or
organized it would be "pull Dick, pull Dew
ill.," and one or the other would have to go to
the wall, and then up pops thesgas as before
and then the consumer would be no better
off than before; he urged that..a committee
be appointed to wait upon the Gas Compa-
ny to see if they would not come to some
fern,s. this meetinp coula adIOurn the COM