New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-04-16
THE COMMON COUNCIL SELL OUT TO
THE GAS COMPANIES.

For the expenses under the head of lamps and gas
for 1866 excepting the police station-houses and
prisons) the Controller asks for the sum of S763745
This estimated expense of lamps and gas for 1866 is
truly alarming.
The amount asked for 1865 by the Controller was
S537, 100
The amount fixed by tax levy for 1866 was
S537, 100
The estimate for 1867 by the Controller, was based
upon the contract price in the contracts with the
several Gas Companies that supply New-York City.
But the contracts with all these Companies, except
that with tho Manhattan Company. had expired.
In 1854, the Gas Companies demanded an In
creased price for supplying the public lamps, to
date from October | Of that year. This increased
demand. together with deficiency of $4,000 in the
wear 1854. sweed the estimate of the superintendent
of this bureau in the Street Department to the sum oil
s777. 675 The increase demanded by the Harlem and
New.York Gas Companies would amount from October
T. IsGi TO December 81, 1865, to the sum OF Sl7i9l5
And il has been since decided by the Courts that the
increased demand Of these Companies was legal Inc
amount estimated by the Controller and fixed by the
tax lew for 1855 was based upon the old contract price
of about S25 per lamp. The contract of the Manhat-
tan Gas-Light Company made in lSiS, does not ex-
pre by lis terms until May 1868. The contract price
was sI5 per lamp BY subsequent legislation of the
Common Council, in 1853 the number of hours during
which the lamps should be kept burning was increased
and thus the price, according to the contract was also
increased to about s25 per lamp for the year
The Controllers estimate for ls66 is based upon
allowing two of the companies $50 per lamp, one S45
per lamp and the remaining Company, whose con-
tract has not yet expired by limitation the sum OF $50
per lamp
For another instance Of the manner in which the
Common Council watches the interests entrusted
TO their care note tho foowing On Dec. 80, 1864,
the last day of its official existence, the Common
Council passed resolution, which was approved by
the Mayor, allowing the Manhattan Company to ter
inmate its unexpired contract-thus placing the City
at its mercy The Company claims that it is no longer
bound to furnish the gas at the previous price of S25
per lamp but is entitled to obtain oil that tho gas is
reasonably worth, and claims some Si5 or $50 per
lamp. This claim is resisted by the Controller on tho
ground that the action Of the Common Council in tho
premises was unlawful If it eventually prove that
the Common Council had the legal right to thus crim
nay surrender, on behalf Of the City, beneficial con-
tract the amount actually needed for 1866 for lamps
and gas will be the enormous sum of 1857 i5
The citizens respectfully call upon the Legislature
to interfere behalf of the people of this City to pro-
tect and save them from the extOrtiOns of the Gas
Monopoes. These companies enjoy the privilege of
using the public Streets free of charge for the dStr
button of their gas. The article is necessity; and it
is but just that they should furnish it to the Corpora
ton at fair and reasonable value To charge $50
lamp per year is extoron. This is 81 per month
for each Tampa sum which is not reached by some
private families who have several burners lighted for
as long time as The public lamps kept lighted. The
people cannot help themselves in this matter The
Common Council as seen from the above instance,
are ever ready to deliver them bound hand and
foot" to these vast monopoes.
There is no reason save an nordinate love for gain
why these companies should not have continued to
furnish the City with gas at the original contract price
The facilities they enjoy great, there being no
competition in the business (each company furnishing
gas in separate and exclusive distrct their gains
have been, and are, enormous, and they have ac-
quired so much power aud so extended means, that
nothing but the authority of the State defend this
City from them.