The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-26

OANdEhS AHEAD FOR LAS MONOfOLISfS.-
There seems to be strong disposition on the
part OF the Legislature to overhaul the mon
strous system Of fraud and imposition to which
the public are subjected by the various gas
monopolies that have grown up under its pro-
lection. We trust that the feeling will result
in some practical measure of relief The sense
Of oppression produced by the burden is be-
coming so strong, and is exciting such very
general expression Of indignation, that it will
no longer be safe for the members OF the Legis-
lature to turn deaf ear to it They will find
that when they again present themselves to
their constituents their course in reference to
1t will exercise q very material influence
on their political prospects, The monopo-
lists will, Of course, strain every effort to
defeat the measures that will be intro
duced to control their proceedings. Money
will be lavishly spent and political influence
be as freely exercised in their interest They
will find out, however, before long that 1t would
have been better to have listened to the just
complaints Of the consumers than to have
forced them into this conflict A compromise
might have protected them from radical re-
vision of the whole system Now, however, 1t
is too late, and they will have to trust to their
means OF corruption to defeat the measures
that are in contemplation. Their efforts in
this way, however, even if successful, would
not secure them in the possession of their
ill-gotten profits. Science is enlisting itself
on the side OF their opponents, and threatens
more effectual remedy for their oppres-
sion than any which the Legislature can
afford. 1t is now pretty certain that the
new magnesium light will eventually SUI
persede gas. When it was first discovered the
dearness of the substance from which it is pro-
duced seemed to forbid any hope ofits general
employment. at is now ascertained," says o
scientific journal. "that the ocean contains one
hundred and sixty thousand cubic miles of
magnesium-a quantity which would cover the
entire surface Of the globe, both sea and land,
to a thickness Of more than eight feet. Three
years ago all the chemists who had obtained
magnesium had probably not obtained an
ounce among them. One year ago its price
was more than five hundred dollar, pound.
Now, owing to improvements recently intro
duccd, magnesium wire Is sold at six cents
foot" If these statements be accurate-and
they arc made on apparently satisfactory data
there is reason to believe that in another year
or two the cost of the light produced from mag
nesium will be very far below that of gas. As
to the superiority OF the light itself there can
be no question. 1t is purer and moro intense
than that Of the fame Of any artificial light that
has as yet been discovered, does not alter tho
natural colors of things, and can be regulated
with the Utmost ease. BY the adaptation of
proper mechanical contrivances, some pro-
gress towards which has already been made,
it can be rendered available for domestic
purposes without any risk Of its affecting
the sight Its adaptability for street illu-
mination has been equally demonstrated.
Once, therefore, the economical question is
solved to the satisfaction of capitalists we
would not give much for the stock of the COM
panies that now monopolize the lighting of our
citiea