The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-18
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER IS, 1857.
.sLightl More Light y,


Hght" So long as the gas furnished us was
good so long as the flame was bright and
steady, and we could detect an improvement
over the days of tallow dips, the great majority
of the people did not care particularly whether
the Trustees opened their meetings tc a com
mittee of Councils or not. They did not care
whether the books were kept straight, or
whether the contracts were sealed proposals or
open bids. That was matter which they left
severely alone. But now, when the light is
dull and the charge is high-when we pay
more and get less than we ever did before,
the people are naturally aroused to indigna-
tiOn. The sealing or unsealing of proposal
for coal was a matter of small interest, but
when the contractor have furnished such
wretohed material to injure the eyes of all the
eight hundred thousand citizens Of the Quaker
City, an astonishing increase in the interest
felt in the management is perceptible. Until
now, such point is reached that some change
is demanded. The present system is so in
efficient as to make any change an improve
tnent.
At the last meeting of Councils bill was
introduced directing the Mayor, on the lst of
March, 1868, to take possession of all the gas
works, in behalf of the city; that the Trustees
be abolished and Chief Engineer be elected
by Councils who would be directly RESPONSE
BILE to that body for all his deeds or misdeeds.
A motion to defeat the bill was lost by a vote
of thirteen to twenty-one so that it is proba-
ble it will pass This plan is an improve
ment over the present arrangement. AS mat
ters are now constituted the Trustees elect all
officers, they constitute a close corporation,
answerable to no one for their acts, and
having no responsibility beyond prospect OF
not being reelected. That is the sole punish
ment which can be visited upon them for cor
ruption or ineffciency. The new plan would
do away with this. 1t would make the officers
all pecuniarily liable for any default in the du-
ties of their offices, and, by making all the
accounts open to public inspection, would
soon enable Councils to correct any part OF
the system which might need amendment
While, however, this is an improvement on
the present system, there is a still better
mode, in our opinion, of managing the sup
ply of gas for the city than the one proposed.
We refer to the system prevalent in Europe
article to private corporations. That is to say,
we favor the awarding of contracts for various
portions of Philadelphia to regular companies,
who will bid for it. Let the city be divided
say, into four parts. Let her still own the
various gas works, and then advertise for pro-
posals to take charge of and run the whole
system for say five years. BY this means, if
sealed proposals were rigidly demanded, the
works would be taken, of course, by the party
who would agree to furnish the gas for the
least possible price. This would at once secure
economy. By making the successful bidder
enter into bonds for the faithful performance
Of his duty, and by so arranging the bonds
that, in case of the failure of the contractor to
supply good article at the fixed rates,
heavy forfeit and an avoidance of his contract
would result, we would secure a frst-class
article, instead of the wretched, flicker
ing, dim glare, which tortures the eyes and
disgusts any one who attempts to read. By
this means, the works would become hand
some profit to the city, and not as now, a
continual expense and annoyance.
1t is a well-established fact that private
individual can conduct an enterprise at much
lower rate than public corporation. The
reason for this is clear. He devotes his time
to his own interests, and does all he can to
secure economy; while in the case of a cor
poration, especially public government, it is
but one individuals profit to secure eco
nomy-in fact quite the reverse-so that much
is squandered, and the work but lily done.
Acting on this principle, the governments Of
the cities of Europe have long since adopted,
and with great success, this plan. 1t is found
70 work admirably, with none Of the difficult
Ties or disturbances which we suffer by keep
ing the control of the trust in the hands of the
CITY Itself. The only objection to the proposal
VIII be that it will deprive the politi-
clans OF number of lucrative Offices and
If that Is an objection, the present inefficient
plan had better be continued. Now that
Councils are moving in the matter in favor of
some reform, we hope that this plan will re-
oeive their attention. Experience has proved
It far more satisfactory than with Board of
Trustees or the direct management of Coun-
oils. By it economy, good gas, and honest
control are secured. But should it not receive
the support of the members of both Chambers,
we hope that the plan proposed last Thursday
will pass. A reform is not only needed, but
1t Is demanded, No talk about legality or the
the loans Of 184l will avail. We hope that
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