The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-27
Movements OF tho Fenians-Time for
Action.

Actt0Ms
What are the Fenians about? They have
proclaimed their grand object to be the liberia
ton and independence Of Ireland. Very good.
They tell US that they have two hundred thou
sand men enrolled for this purpose in Ireland,
and at least two hundred and fifty thousand in
the United States; but on each side Of the At
lantic they appear to be awaiting the signal
from the other. In Ireland they want arms and
the nucleus of an invading force, fully equipped
and disciplined, around which to rally.
These required arms and this invading force
must be provided by the United States Fenians.
How ore they to be furnished! The OMahony
Fcnians say by direct shipments to Ireland,
and by a death grapple with the oppressor
on the old sod. No, says General
Sweeny, the military chief of the Roberts Fee
mans; we can do nothing in that way. We
must not 60 three thousand miles over the
water to accommodate John Bull. Our plan
is to begin the war by compelling him to come
three thousand miles to accommodate us. We
must strike him in Canada. With sudden and
Simultaneous movement at several convenient
points of hundred or even fifty thousand
men into Canada we can rally the Irish and
French Canadians to our side and take and
hold that country. Then we shall have base
of operations from which to send out our pri-
vateers upon England's commerce, and our
swift steamers with arms AMI ammunition for
Old Ireland herself And do ye Think after
taking 1t, we offer Canada to France she will
not give US something in exchange for so rich
prize!
Unquestionably there Is something Of milf
tary system and calculation, and some proba-
bilities Of success, to this Roberts-Sweeny plan
Of operations In the terrible alarm of the
Canadians they recognizes the feasibility Of this
scheme, and their danger if it shall be seri-
ously attempted. AS for the other scheme Of
commencing this struggle In Ireland, it ap-
pears to us that il 1t ever was the right plan,
the time for it has gone by. With the English
fleets, armies police, &C., all on the watch in
and around the island, we apprehend that any
attempt now to land libcrating ships crew
on the soil Of Ireland would be fatal to the
parties concerned. and that any attempt at
rising would be instantly crushed. At the
Same time tho authorities and the loyal sub
jects of her Britannia Msjesty's North Ameri-
can provinces, from Halifax TO Lake Superior,
are making their preparations at all points for
vigorous defence against the Fenians.
Is it not apparent, then, that unless the Feni-
ans pretty soon strike blow somewhere that
this whole movement for Irelands liberation
must be indefinitely postponed So it must
appear to every thinking man Of any intelli-
gence whatever. What then We have only
to suggest that II the Fcnians are not prepared
TO strike anywhere they had better settle up
their accounts, stop their warlike assessments
upon ther sympathizing countrymen and coun-
trywomen in this country, turn over their cash
| in hand for emigration purposes in behalf Of
| their destitute brethren in Ireland, and bide
their time when "England's difficulty" will be
! orchards opportunity" This, 1t appears to
u.s. has now become the only course Of Wis
| dom for the Fenians.
| OLD AND New GAS CoxPANIEs.-Blls are be-
fore the Legislature Incorporating two new
mutual gas companies, one for this city, the
other for Brooklyn. We do not believe that
positive and lasting reform in the operations OF
the present gas monopolics can be attained by
| establishing additional companies. There is
danger that these new companies may not be
proposed in good faith, and that, like other
similar experiments, are only got up to be
sold out What the Legislature should do is
to amend the charters of existing companies,
30 that consumers can be protected from I'M
just exactions and the evils arising from de-
claring enormous dividends obviated. A bill
for this purpose IL also before the Legislature.
Il provides that "no gaslight company hereto
fore Incorporated, or hereafter to be incorpo-
rated under the general act, shall pay it's
stockholders q larger dividend than ten per
cent per annum on the capital stock actually
invested in its business, but all profits above
such dividends shall be annually divided, pro
rata. among all the consumers Of Its gas whose
bills for the preceding year shall amount to
not less than twenty dollars" Each company
is also required to make annual statements to
the Comptroller of the condition Of the same,
the amount of business transacted during the
year. &c. Petitions numeroussy signed are
pouring into the Legislature for the passage Of
bill Of this kind, and il certainly demands
the earnest attention OF every member. W.
have received numerous Communications or
the subject from which we have obtained
pretty general knowledge Of the views of on
principal consumers upon the subject Of gas re
form. 1t Is conceded tAat competition in tn
supply Of gas is practically impossible, excep
In some particular cases. The more compa
mics there are the greater is the expense attend
ing manufacture and supply. There are nov
| four gas companies in Brooklyn, with four dii
ferent establishments and high salared officers
, the expense Of which n borne, Of course, b.
consumers. One company, 1t Is believed, woul
, | A a. ~wo,, ana crovc a large saving in all n