Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-12-16
Gas.

To the Editor of the Ledger:
There has been deal Of noise and
fuss and humbuggry about this gas ques-
ton of late. Do you know what the
whole thing means2 Why, simply a
pressure upon the one company to buy
out the other The same play has been
going on these six years, and the public
noodle imagined itself to be interested
in it. Cannon. All corporations are
precisely similar-their objects are to
make money on their capital, and when
ever you see one setting itself up as
public benefactor, mark that fellow as
humbug, who has selected that particu-
lar spot in which he is about to operate
as his oyster, to be opened and swal-
lowed whenever he can get it in hand.
Monied philanthropy and greenback pa
triotism is the veriest fraud and decep-
ton on earth, and is only practlced by
your seedy adventurer, who, like Mr..
Micawber, has talents but no money.
(You recollect that famous scene at
Canterbury, just after wilkins had in
vestieated the coal business without sue
cess. This gas controversy is no ex-
ception to the rule. It's a struggle be-
tween capitalists-or, more probably IN
this case, between capital and " talent
for the oyster, which latter is to be
swallowed no, matter who gets him. And
ahoeyer thinks to the contrary is a fat
Drained idiot, deserving to stand in the
pillory with OUNCE placarded on him.
If this public is suffering for cheap gas
why does it not invest its money in the
business Of manufacturing and vending
the aforesaid commodity at low rate2
Simply because the public has use for its
money, knows its value, AID in no case
would invest in a business which
does not pay. The public has had
ample opportunity to invest money
in the stocks Of the two gas companies,
and has Invariably selected the one
whick paid dipidend in preference to
the one which started out under the boz
gus pretence Of relieving the great pub
lie Of an incubus. 1t is true that many
good and true patriots subscribed for the
stock OF the defunct company, but hoie
many paid up7 II is the old story Of
belling the cat Every mouse is agreed
with every other mouse that puss should
have a bell on; but what mouse or how
many mice will incur the risk Of coming
within reach Of the claws Of the cat2 In
fact this gas business after all is bust
ness-thats the long and short OF the
thing; and as long as the investment IN
the live company is jeopardized by the
occasional kicking Of the other, just so
long will high prices be maintained, be-
cause extraordinary profits are always
demanded by business men when the in
vestment is uncertain and precarious.
"But," says an enthusiastic but verdant
gas consumer, "this time well get the
bell on. Are we not signing contracts
to take the gas at reduced rates2 What
will the monopoly do nowp Simply
this Whenever the opposition shall turn
gas on to the town down will 90 the
price to a killing rate. Three dollars
per thousand cubic feet will be too high
10 be borne by the public. The CALLING
monopolists Of the present will then be
benefactors, and the public will patron
lie them on the principle that man is
a fool who does not buy the cheapest
and best article. 1t will become a ques-
ton Of length of pole in obtaining the
desired persimmon. Then which par
ty will win--the gas-light company
with its enormous cash reserve, aud back.
ed BY the richest capitalists in the State,
or the poor fellows who have the trick OF
hauling few old rusty pipes from one
place TO another 10 keep public expecta-
ton alive7 Nov, then, started out
with the assertion that the opposition
company was looking for apurchase, and
was not intent on battle-for battle will
surely end 10 destruction-and hence l
express my opinion Of those people who
build hopes Of relief from gas bills, be-
cause a man Is making contracts 10 fur
nish gas cheap-when he makes it-and
another is experimenting the transpor-
tation Of the old pipes from one part Of
the city 10 another. BUSINESS.