The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-02
CHARTER ELECTION.
For other Election Notices." see fourth pace


e3 CITY GAS wORKs.-Ths annual
more candidates for the Superintendency of
this Institution, and each succeeding year they
AL THOSE claimed for the unfortunate possessor of
this much envied berth. The latest novelty,
however throws all others in the shade. Mr.;
from several gent emen, whose occupations and
experience have evidently enabled them to speak
to be Mechanical and Civil Engineer land
well qualified in every respect to ill the Office of
Superinten lent of the Gas Works." they wish
these valuable qualities to be no longer hid in
obscurity but to derelepe themselves "a lightin &
the city. But the beauty Of this nomination is
he is called out is that of being "a strong seees
sionist' Can any doubt that this is the qualf-
possible to doubt that this is the quality which
will make him the most fit and Proper person to
with it6 the works already built and IN successful
operation, there can be no eed Of mechanical
and Civil Engineer" These valuable qualities
can ind no proper field for their develO pment and
exercise in the management Of our Gas Works.
This has been abuudantlv demonstrated by the
experience of the past two years, during which
time, without being under the control vi Me-
chanical and Civil Engineer, they have by the
iudici0us and economical administration OF the
present incumbent, given the most gratifying re
suits and yielded d large income TO the city. And
there ca be doubt that, in their present condi-
tiop, the Works only need a iudlcious admins
tration of affairs, which can only be secured by
familiarity with, and experience in, the mode Of
operations, and an acquaintance with the opera
tives now employed therein; And; we may add,
that in the absence Of any well founded complaints
against the present management, II is at least I'M
wise to make a change. And further, we would
ask what security have the citizens, that If the
gentleman who is now recommended so highly is
elected, that there will be such an economical
mana cement as is tn be desired So far as we
know OF him he is a gentleman, and all W no come
in contact with him are favorably impressed. His
reputation is unblemished and his manners are
affa Bile and prep0ssesslDg, and we dlsclalp any
intention to Intimate aught against him. we
rs,Fhf IN .anaId do tn tnr
place as this possesses besides all the deo Ill Q
qualities above named, the less snowy, but not
less useful qualification Of capacity Tor admir- ls
traion, and the talent for economical expenditure
and management or nuances. HOW far has the
experienee Of these who have had their he affairs
recommending him to the confidence of the people
who can judiciousl " purchase for, and pru-
IDENTIFY attend to, the OUTLAWS for such an estab-
lishment? For without these valuable, but too
much neglec qualities, the best Mechanical
and Civil Engineer would make but poor sub
modestly but safely and prudently, manages this
important department Of our city's service.
WepreSume, however, that the principal object
of the gentlemen who have brought out Mr..
Sharp had less reference to his capacity as man
ager than to his peculiar political principles and
their object is, doubtless, to unite upon him iii
possible) the strength OF those who favor the Sc
cession Of Virginia IN TINS they have reckoned
sides with this party, and are not ashamed TO say
that willing to wait little farths the de
vel0pments OF Linc0ln's administration before
We favor this move, yet free TO admit, tn at
the party now in our city who do favor prompt
action on this subject at present numbers MANY
of those who are most deeply interested IN the
welfare of our city, and who sincerely seek her
best interests and We are farther satisfied that
they know, while the election of Mr.. Sharp, as
the secession .didate, Id show their strength
and all other things being equal, would be a tri-
umph of which they would be- proud, yetthey are
not willing to sacrifice the pecuniary interests OF
the city for such triumph; and we know that
Of them Sir this as mos, s 81
strength in this city. We are willing, however
to admit that if there is to De test that
sritable person could be selected as the standard
bearer of a secession party than this gentleman
and We honestly ask, II there Is no fear among
those who have nominated him that they have
too much of good thingf or, in other words, may
he not be TOO much If secessonistl II we have been
correctly informed. the history of Mr.. Sharp will
sionist all his lite. He hrst seeded from orth
ern State, at an ear age, and came to this city.
he next seeded 70 two Northern shops, IN two
Northern States while serving short aprren
ticeshlp; after which he seeded 10 Lynehburg
and again to one Of the Southern States, where h,
had charge OF a railroad, from which he seeded
leaving the company oblivious TO the cause OF
his intentions. Then, again, he came to thi,
clty. where he had charge of the York River
Railroad from which he Seeded without maxim
known his purposes until, the patience of the Di
rectorx being exhausted, they elected his success
| know what sort Of security can be given that h,
would not, If elected, secede from the Gas w ork,
| before the end of the first year. and leave tn,
| citizens in doubt whether they had 4 superinten
| dent of the Gas W orks or not? If We may judge
OF the future by the past, this question rs worthy
OF the consideration of our citizens, and we cal
didly ask those W no are interested in the welfare
of the city, of what use will it be to turn out
| good officer and put in one W hose presidents Dc
| not too highly recommend him for the post?
The folly OF testing the strength Of the Secession
and Union parties at the municipal election will
we are satisfied, meet with no approval from tho
citizens at large and for this important position
we hope the citizens will rally, as one man t.
| sustain a native born Virgnian, of whose loyalt,
to the State there can be no question: against Tho
pratensions of one OF Northern blood, and birth
uodt I'M u a N "a -Iadr ar
aseendaut for the purpose of getting assistance t
step into q comfortable situation.
A TAXPAfER AND GAS CONSUMER.