The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-03-19

THE Gas QUESTION:. For weeks and months
there has been considerable and reasonable
agitation in this city on the subject of gas.
The citizens complained that the rates were
too high that the gas was of inferior quality,
and that the meters charged them with far
more than they actually consumed. After q
while the City Council took up the matter,
discussed and deliberated, and turned the
whole gas question over to n committee OF
their body. The committee investigated and
reported, tho price of gas per thousand was
reduced from six to four dollars, an expert
was sent for TO see if he could detect the flaw
in gas administrative system, and the
expert Mr.. Ambrose J. White, has made his
report. Upon one point, at least, the report
is conclusive, and the Superintendent of the
City Gas Works far from being blamed, is
praised for the results of his management.
Mr. White, after stating that " the illumina.
ting power compares favorably with. any gas
made in the United States" expresses his sur
prise that your Superintendent can produce
for you the character OF gas that is before you
consecutiyely days and nights"
1t is very evident that the Superintendent
has had many difficulties to contend with.
holders require an increased capacity of two
hundred thousand feet the present holders
only containing sufficient for the consumption
Of one day and night. Mr.. Campbell is de-
termined to have n pure quality Of gas, and TO
this he has directed every scheme that energy
and experience can suggest.
The cost OF the gas is n serious item, and ii
must not be forgotten that it is kept unrea-
sOuably high, to Il great extent, by the opera
ton Of the present system. 1t is expected that
at the end OF each year the Gas Works will be
able TO pay their own expenses and be no
charge upon the corporation; and i'll some re-
spects this is Il great injustice. Not one foot
Of the gas burned on the streets or in the city
buildings is paid for, but all is 4 charge upon
the works, and TO balance their accounts they
are compelled TO make gas-consumcrs pay
for all the fj.e gas which is burned, in addI-
tion to what they use upon their own premises.
Every person, great or small in this city, has
an interest in seeing the streets well lighted.
1t is Il general necessity, and, as it benefits
all, the expense should be paid out of the gene
raj fund There is 10 iusticoin in making a class
Of persons who are already heavily taxed pay
for that which i devoted to the use of the
whole city and II Is expected that, rs soon Is
practicable, the Gas Works may be paid for,
or credited by the free gas list, which Will b.
a considerable assistance in reducing the cost
Of the gas which they produce.
Every citizen should STE that his meter i in
good order; and if he will regulate the height
Of the gas when lighted hy the tap attached to
thc meter iustrad OF by that upon the burner
hc will, in reducing the pressure, realize Il con
siderable saving i'll his consumption. Let the
cost of the gas which is burned by the city
be deducted from the expenses Of the Gas
Works and the accounts will present diff
ferent appearance and then, with the same
careful and prudent management which now
prevails. and Judgment and discretion on the
part Of consumers, we shall be able 10 obtain
gas that will be both pure and cheap,