Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-02-20
$3OO4 %
Cost OF the new system lin 1887. 81 900 90
Cr.-By cash collected fer fines and costs 1,I36 90

%, i6f 90
while those received in 1857 were 80 962 IS being
an increase of 81 S96 SO; Of this amount 1867 was
received for dog licenses in 1889 while only $50 SO
was received in 1857. The greater part of this
increase should be credited to the vigilance and
industry Of the new police and night watch.
They recommend the reduction of the Metro
politan Railroad tax from to to cents on the
$780, as that rate will be sufficient pay the int
est on that debt and leave small sum tow ards the
liquidation of the principal Another reason for
recommending such reduction is that IL will be
necessary to increase the gas tax
The cost of gas for 1858 over the tar levied was
S3uI,1o In 1857 II was In round numbers 81 GOO.
The whole cost Of gas and lighting lamps in 1859
was 81 ;2795O Average number Of lamps burning
jumps now In actual use is l7O, and at the same
rate will cost the present year IS sos Add the
ABOVE deficiency Of 81 600, and a tax Of % cents
on the SIC0 Will be necessary, with an annual tax
hereafter Of 10 cents AS this subject is one of
general Interest to consumers of gas everywhere
We append the remainder Of the report entire.
When gas was introduced ia our streets In
November, 1856, a tax of seven cents was deemed
81 tticient, and that sum was imposed by the Cor
poration for 1857, and annually thereafter That
Tax was Increased February -, 1855, TO ten cents
Tor that year and annually thereafter, and now we
ma twenty cents necessary the current year. and
sixteen cents annually thereafter, without any
increase Of lamps, which is more than probable
Will be required, as the tax is general, and there
arc eouie streeS vet unllg hteo.
Your committee are favorable to lighting the
streets with gas, provided its cost can be kept in
Reasonable limits, but when the expense Ia SO
enormous, it becomes the Corporation to pause
and determine whether they will dispense with
It's use entirely or devise some ways snd means to
make Ii cost less
The ordinance authorizing gas pipes to be in
troduced for the purpose of lighting the town. ~
approved June III, 1853, contracts with the gas
company Tor the exclusive Of the streets of the
Town Tor the purpose OF introducing gas pipes for
hfteen years from the date Of the ordinance upon
certain conditions one Of the conditions is en-
braced In - section 4. And be Ii further ordained
that the aforesaid rights and privileges are grant
ed upon the further conditions, that il at any lime
hefediier gas as OF good quality as that furnished
by said company shall be furnished by other com
panes to other cities Of the United states where
The cost Of material is not greater than in this
town, at "a rate lower than the aforesaid prices
then the said company shall reduce their rates 10
correspond with the same
From enquiries made bye. w c. Huntington.
Esq OF the Mayors OF the following cities the
cost Of gas for street lamps in Cincinnati was
iound To be Sl7 80 per lamp, including lighting
anu exfinguishing, for the year 1855, burning
2,lle hours In Baltimore. S22 50 per street lamp
pes year, burning 200 hours. In Boston, 1 cent
per hour for each lamp Ia New York the cost
per lamp, including lighting, ertinguishing and
cleaning, is SIS 10, burning $50 !. hours In the
year. Reduce the number Of hours to 2 200, the
tlfne street lamps are lighted in this town and
the cost would be about Sl5 per lamp. And in
rhilaaelPhia the price paid is SIS per year for
each street lamp.
From these facts, your committee are Of opinion
mat the Gas Company have not been living
with their contract with the Corporation, to fur
Eish gas at As low rate that furnished by other
companies in other cities Of the United States
where the cost Of material is not greater than I'm
this town. They therefore recommend that the
Mayor be authorized to enter into contract with
the Gas Company, from the LIST Of April next for
furnishing gas; lighting, extinguishing and clean
Ing the street lamps, at the rate Of sos Der lamp
per year, to burn =, 200 hours.
VIII the present number Of lamps this would
cost 81 ,2ou per year; which, with gas debt of
81 6OO 10 be provided for, would require levy of
fifteen cents on tue hundred dollars the current
year, ana twelve cents annually thereafter.
Your committee think the above IA suffic iently
onerous, and as much as will be borne by this
community.
Should the gas company refuse to enter into the
above contract. which your committee think is a
liberal one on the part Of the Corporation, COM
pared with the price paid in other cities, and
which your committee think they are bound by
the ordinance Of June u, ls53, to do they recon-
mend that the Corporation dispense with the uss
Of street lamps for the present ana that careful
inquiry he made into the cost of gas in other
cities, both for public and for private use and il
II should be found that the gas company have
violated their contract with the Corporation.
either Tor public use private consum ption 10
declsre the contract forfeited and either esta bish
4 gas maaufactory OF their own or invite som.
other gas company To locate here who will furnish
gas on more favorable terms
bill. report gas bill embodying the provision,
they have recommended. All Of which is respect.
fully submitted
sisned-W Fl. Tenney, A. L. ofu,t, John
Marbury, ir.
The counting room Of w. r. Edes jr corner
OF High and Water Streets was broken into on
Friday night last through the High street entrance
and box containing about forty dollars in cop
pers was stolen. No SITS have vet been made
The Union Democratic ticket for member of
our City Councils, just prepared, nomnates for
Aldermen Messrs Walter $ Cox Geo w Beall
Philip T. Berry, Henry c. Matthews and Robert
w bite. For Common Councilmen-Messrs Esau
Pickrell, J. M Stake, c. F. Shekell, j. w.
McCobb, VIM: King Of VIM, Geo. Hill, jr Jos
N: Pearson, w. II. 3. Taylor, b. Il. Williams,
VIM. L. Dunlop and David English
Our military friends Of the Potomac Light In
fantry have invited the Law Greys, Of Baltimore,
to be their guests on the 22d inst The Greys are
expected over Tomorrow evening, TO remain until
Thursday evening; and from the well known char
acter OF both companies good time may be ex-
pected. The members Of the Potomac Light In
fantry will notice the advertisement in another
column.