The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-28
THE GAS RING


For years the people have noticed the power
welded by this Ring, and have complained
time and time again at its arrogance and pre-
sumption, but without avail Confident of
its ability to carry every measure it deems
proper, it cares not for the wishes of the
people, intent only upon its own aggrandize-
ment and that of its friends. It's ramifica-
tions of influence are SO extended, its patron
age 80 immense, that no desired legis-
lation of its own can well be opposed by
legislators who value their position. In the
event of opposition to any of its mandates,
for such they really are, the Councilman finds
himself the victim of persistent and continu-
Gus persecution and viliication, and, if a
candidate for reelection, the Ring bends
every energy to secure his defeat, and gene
rally succeeds.
Now we ask all good citizens, Should such
state of affairs exist {? Should they be per-
mitted to continue? The matter of the ap-
preparation of half million of dollars
to this body will come up for action
at the next meeting of Councils. Our
citizens know that the Market street works
were demolished without consultation with
the representatives of the people, and that
these could, with but small amount required
for repairs, have answered every purpose for
the next twenty years. But this did not suit
tho views of these Ring managers. Jobs had
to be given to contractors, and their adhe-
rents must be cared for, for by such manage
ment as this is, power is still further increased
and retained.
After this act, we might almost say of
vandalism, the trustees have entered into
contracts for the building of new works, and
impudently ask the taxpayers for the money
to carry them out VIII our Councilmen
prove themselves the servants of the Ring, or
will they uphold the interests of the people?
The latter demand that the Ring be COM
PEELED to comply with the requirements of
law in every particular, and this cannot be
done by granting this appropriation. This
bill should by all means be defeated, if for no
other reasen than to teach these men that the
laws and ordinances cannot be violated with
impunity, but that they must be respected
even by the Gas Trustees.
But aside from the fact that in this action
In regard to the proposed new Gas Works
the Ring has proceeded against law, and, we
take it, in violation of the oath of Office,
other and serious charges may, with propriety
and truth, be preferred against the men who
compose it. The truth is, the people have
lost all confidence in them-they meet in
secret conclave, against law, and are afraid of
public scrutiny of their acts. They have
entered into innumerable contracts with
their favorites, at prices one hundred
per cent. above market rates. They
have controlled all the departments of
the municipal government through their ennis
saries and appointees, and have again and again
forced improper candidates upon the Re-
publican party. They have made demands for
unlimited amounts of the public money in the
shape of loans, which have been expended in
by no means the wisest manner. They con-
slider themselves the masters of the people.
and so act in every matter connected with
their position.
In view of all these facts, we speak for the
people, and demand that the issue be fairly
and squarely made between them and the
Ring. Let the members of Select Council
who have any regard for the public interests,
or for their own reputation as honest men,
refuse positively to authorize the loan of half
q million dollars demanded by the Gas
Trustees. direct blow will thus De struck
attha power of the Ring, and a reform will be
inaugurated that if properly pushed will lead
to important results in the future. The de-
struction of the Market street works was
gross outrage upon the citizens of Philadel-
phia, and those who are guilty should be
obliged to bear the weight of public indigna-
tion, as they surely will if there is any de-
fciency in the supply of gas next winter.
The tax payers of this city have suffered long
enough from the tyranny of the Gas Ring,
and the time has now arrived for putting an
end to it. Will the members of Select Coun-
Gil in this emergency prove themselves the
servants Of the people or of the Ring