The New York herald., 1869-03-19
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
Tho Gas Companies.

The Gas Companies.
The recent exposition IN the HERALD OF the tricks
ana devices OF the different city gas companies,
through which most extortIonate rates are charged
for gas and enormous profits pocketed by the fortu-
nate owners OF stock in the companies al the
pense OF the consumers also showing the baneful
effect upon the public health resulting from the
mode OF manufacture Of gas, has caused hood OF
letters to be written us on the subject These let
ters indicate how thoroughly opened the eyes OF the
community are getting in this matter, and, while
heartily endorsing the HERALD for the fearless man
ner in which 1t has dared to lay bare the secret
workings OF these INSCRIPTIONS corporations show
that the voice OF the people Is bound TO let itself be
giving history Of the different gas companies and
stpulations OF their charters showing that "thesc
corporations have restrictions placed upon them
quriesn such prevail in Europe, the object being
but that OF the gas companies as well"
Gas of good quality, at lair ,,,,o ana proper
and to insure this he suggests-drst limitation OF
capital; second limitation OF dividends; third, re.
ducton m the prce Of gas when the profits exceed
ating power below which the quality OF the gas shall
never descend; and, nth, = publication clause TO
Its manufacture. These points are enforced with
cogency OF argument and illustration. Another
correct indicators Of The quantity Of gas consumed
third correspondent takes up the special topic or
deposits or meters as elm requirement. be-
body does not know, but ought TO KNOW that the
gas companies have no right TO exact such depositA
assertion. The ruling OF the Court was that '.gas
companies have no right to exact deposits, and that
their chances of payment" Among the other CORE
spondents IL one who starts OF with asking .s any
Offering fcr SAFE s as .eress bargain. TWO hundred
shares very desirable gas stock very low" who
ever heard Of such thing asks this correspondent
A National Militia.
With view TO help President Grant carry out his
proposed programme Of retrenchment cores
pondent suggests the establishment Of . national
militia In place Of standing army. His idea is that
with most OF the present officers OF the regular army
"to excel in draw poker and in drinking commssary
whiskey" are the main points Of excellence sought
to be achieved. He would upset the present
system, which he declares has been the bans
of our military for years, fill up the militia
regiments with the right kind OF young men,
appoint as o1hcers only those specially worthy
and who shall be made to feel that they must rely
political influence or the mere question Of senioray"
and WnC shall regard as cardinal requirements -
close application to scientific studies, more fnti-
mate knowledge OF the use OF their arms plenty OF
sword exercise in the open air and competitive ex
aminations." In CONCLUSION he announces the pub
hcauon OF a book by an ex-army officer on Swords
and Swordsmanship, Ancient and Modern,n upon
which seems to hinge mainly his zeal in the premises.
The Ice Question.
correspondent announces that he prophesied
some time ago in the HERALD consolidation Of the
different ice companies OF the city into two CON-
panes-the KnickerDocker and Washington, and that
through this consolidation the price Of Ice during
the coming summer will be raised from twenty-five
to dfty per cent higher than last year. With this
there comes however, the pleasing counter inteili-
gence that the mutual Benefit Ice Company at
their houses at Hyde Park nave put up So 900 tons OF
ice which they propose TO furnish the public at fair
prices The pubic will, doubtless, take note accord
lngy and not be too hasty in making their contracts
The New broadway Pavement.
Attention is called by correspondent TO the care
less manner OF putting down the new pavement on
Broadway and 1t is urged that unless this matter u
remedied at once 'this thoroughfare will be before
long in worse condition than ever.- Attention Ia
also called TO the negligent manner OF putting down
crossw alks and pavements particularly as replaced
by those repairing gas pipes and putting up new
buildings.
Portrait Cor the Governors Room.
correspondent asks "when Mayor Conan was
elected Mayor OF the city OF New York. as see his
portrait is to be placed In the Governors Room, to
about one week. lie has been Alderman for some
time and part OF the time President OF the Board.
Teftum sap.
An Ancient Pile.
Taxpayer Is anxious for light to the cause
or pile OF dirt estimated from ten to fifteen loads
having renamed for over two years on the south
west corner OF Fifth avenue and Twelfth street. We
answer by asking why piles OF dirt allowed to re-
main and accumulate In al the streets Of the ctyf
This is one OF the mysteries, and, we may add,
miseries OF our metropolis.