, 1866-07-07

Adiu,ani General Hsyule, Colonel Bales, Colonel |
Hick and colorel Mkrt1n.
Elastic and although. OF couree, smaller, passed of
. aazeeahly 70 I'll coneesned es 'nas III 'ne a'~t-
nopl.
THE GAS MONOPOLY.
The EVIL aud tho Remedy.
No. Ill
Editors Chicago Tribune:
In the two previous articles on this import
ant subject have shown the evils of the e1-
isting method of supplying the public and
the Citizens with gus, and the wisdom, ex-
pedieucy and practicability of having sucl
supply furnished by the city itself.
1propose, in the last place, to consider the
best mode Of accomplishing the object In
view.
It ia constantly to be borne In mind that
the monopoly now held by the Gas Company
ls of immense value, and will not be surren-
dered without the greatest and most deter
mined efforts of the company to retain It.
Ali that money and skill can effect will be
done to prevent the adoption Of the proposed
ulan.
KBut, nevertheless, where any measure which
is proposed Is for the benefit Of the whole
people, I have not a doubt that the people,
If they choose to put forth their strength,
can accomplish 1t. They are stronger than
any corporation, aud can have their will In
spite Of any corpornte wealth or influence.
But in such contest the people must be Or
Eanized. They can do 1ittle individually,
but must have the power Of collective asso-
ciated notion.
The object to be secured Is the passage By
the Legislature, at its next session, Of MI
amendment to the city charter giving to the
city the needful power to furnish the supply
Of gus required for public aud private uses.
To effect this three things are Important:
1st. An expression Of public opinion in
favor Of the proposed plan Of such force aud
authority as shall show that 1t has the decld-
cd approval Of the people.
Cd. its recommendation by tic Common
Council
I'd. The election Of representatives to the
General Assembly, Tho shall be favorable to
the measure.
To secure the first Of these objects, call
Tor public meeting of those who favor the
proposed plan shouId be circulated, and the
signatures Of al many Of our leading tax.pay-
ers md influential citizens Us possible obtain
ed to such call.
At the public meeting held In pursuance Of
sueh call, q committee, composed Of q num-
bcr Of our most intelligent and influential citf-
zens, should be appointed to take charge Of
| the whole subject A report prepared by
| such committee with care, and presented to a
| public meeting OF our citizens and approved
| by them-and appropriate resolutions passed
by it, would bring the matter before the
Common Council for Its Cf1c,al consideration
aud action.
There Is no doubt that petition, asking
for such an amendment, would be signed By
thousands, and could be used both before the
Council and the Legislature.
This course Of action having fully demon
strated the Will OF the people on the subject,
no candidate for tho General Assembly would
otter himself or be taken up by the politician.
who WAS not warmly IN tavor OF the plan.
A united local delegation can always secure
from the Legislature any amendment to the
city charter which It desires.
In this way, by vigorous and united action
this great and important public measure
could be accomplished with certainty at tht
next session Of the Legislature, aud befort
1850, when the present contract of the com
pany with the city e1pires-the city and ttt
people would be in position Of entire inde
pendcncc Of this monopoly.
If do not wholly mistake the feelings O.
the people on this subject, there is an almost
universal oppoaltion to 1t, aud desire In som,
way to secure some change for the better
both as to the quality, the price and th'
measurement of our gas, but no practlca
plan Of eflectfng any such change has hereto
fore been proposed.
4 ! believe that tho plan suggested Of putin!
the matter into the hands OF tho city, will b,
found generally satisfactory to our people.
Tho people arc not partial 10 mouopollcs o
any kind, and least Of all when they c0ncer7
so vital and Indispensable matter IS gas
They have long been restive under this mo
Lopoly, They look on With little satlsfac
tion while this corporation piles up la1g
profits at their expense, furnishing them i
return with an inferior article, md extortlnI
! from them In violation OF its own solemn cor
: tract, price far above that at which the
. believe the gus can md ought to be supplied
. They hive been subjected to what they bt
!, lfeve to be gross overcharges In the amour
i Of consumption, and they have experience
= from the officers and agents Of the company
! In answer to their just complaints, 4 treal
!. ment which has not caused thsm to fec1 an
= y special regard for this corporation.
E The corporation has acted as II 1t were tt
;, peoples master, ard it will not be unplca
. ing to the people to teach It that It mu
!: yield to the peoples will. Thatn monopol
). which has become oppressive and odfo'
.. must cease, and the rights aud interests Of II
|, whole community in this matter secured.
j Citizens, the matter Is befors You. II res
.. wholly with you to say whether you will ha'
ii gas for your city and for yourselves ot Il
.: best quality ut the cost OF its nanufacsuz
q q or will longer submit to the exaction. Of
Il private monopoly.
ar II You do not oct while 1t Is in your pow
Ee If you permit the opportunity, which /
ee approaching session Of the Legislature "
haa offer, to pass BY without Improving lt-a
,e- your gas bills both for city and indiridl
Is Is: use are advanced to four, md even Ave d
q lars per thousand, you will have no right
At complain, aud no one to blame but yo
~ selves.
n Let some Of our energetic young men v
eil favor tho adoption Of this measure, move
nd once In the matter. Let them procure a c
re tor public meeting on the subject at
,oi early day, and let us 20 to work in good ca
nd est to secure the success of the Peoples P
r., io1 supplying the city and themselves "
= oae E C,