The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-23

A bill has passed the State Senate Incorporate
ing new gaslight company in the city Of
Brooklyn. This measure has been brought
about by the gross extortions of the gas
monopolies in that city. These grievances have
been long borne, but at length hare aroused
practical opposition in the organization Of q
rival company by the consumers themselves.
What Is q necessity at this time in Brooklyn has
long been most decided one in this city, and
petitions, numerously signed by citizens Of the
highest responsibility, have been pouring into
the Legislature praying for gas reform This
prayer has been so far heard as to cause a reso-
luton TO be introduced into the House requir-
ing the gas companies Of this city to furnish
the Legislature with specific information in re-
gard to the manner in which their business is
conducted, their mode of computing the amount
of gas consumed, their rates OF charges, &c.
II is full time that these gas monopolies were
hauled over the Goals. They have waved fat
and insolcnt by their extortions upon the CON-
munity Their corporations are rigidly sealed
against outside people, and their stocks CON-
mand very high premium. Seldom one hears
of gas stock for sale unless to close up an
estate They forget their histories when they
conduct themselves as they do now. Their char
ter privileges were granted when New York was
comparatively o small city and had a meagre
population. II was not then easy to foresee
the immense and rapid expansion Of the city,
either in business, wealth or people and ex-
elusive privileges were conceded them under
mistaken idea of the future growth Of the
city and Of the future uses TO be made OF these
privileges by the monopolies. Not content
with these special grants, they have from year
10 year imposed upon consumers new extortions
aud more arbitrary and vcxatious regulations
They increase their rates ut will, and adopt
Just such meters and take such men as col
lectors as will best suit their avarice and
greed.
There must be some means OF protect
ing the public, Notwithstanding these special
privileges, against these gas extortionisis. II
has been proposed to incorporate companies
with power to introduce a new and better style
of gas, charging forty or City per cent less than
the rates exaced by the present monopolies
This Is a good plan II honest and capable men
conduct the new companies; poor one i
spectators or dishonest persons control them
| The Legislature should closely scrutinze this
material point when the matter comes under
their consideration. In order TO reach gas re-
| form in other communities IL has been pro.
posed, as in Ohio, 10 constitute the Office Of q
general gas inspector for the State. We do not
believe that plan like this will work well on
large scale. II might, however, in the ab.
sence Of other more effective remedies, operate
beneGcially in compact community like the
city Of New York. AT any rate the present
Legislature, II IL pretend TO take any cogni
zance Of the complaints and burdens Of thC
people, cannot adjourn without providing
remedies against the extortions Of the gas
monopoists of the cities Of New York and
Brooklyn.