New Orleans Republican., 1873-07-15
AN INTERESTED MEDDLER.

lie has no charter from the people to ad-
wise the executive Of Louisiana in his
duties. sAnd to give the able president of
gas monopoly full credit, he seldom. trou-
bles himself to look after the public inter
ests when those Of the Gas Company are
not involved. He is at presen: il dttter
of excitement. because Of the imminent
danger which be appreherds that the peo-
pie will be compelled tepay as much for
gas after 1875 as they have paid the New
Orleans Gaslight Company since 1860. 1t
is fortunate tina. the Price stated is not
four dollars and fifty cents. for then
we would have a return OF the old mo-
nopoly in its worst features.
This Mr.. Jackson has published in
some Of the city papers very impertinent
letter addressed to the Governor, in which
he shows pretty plainly. among other
things:
/. That he labors under the delusion
that the President of the United States
placed Governor Kellogg i'll the executive
chair of Louisiana.
2. That the object of the Pres;ien! was
to promote the interests O: the New Or
leans Gaslight Company.
3. That the Governor has committed an
error in signing an act Of the Legislature
without first consulting Mr.. jackson and
obtaining his consent. because
4. The incorporation Of tho Crescent:
City Gas Company is an act detrimental
to the interests of our elder monopoly.
We will not maintain the propriety Of
Governor Kellogg's action in this matter.
as shown By the correspondence pub
lished. It was as improper for Governor
Kellogg to promise Mr.. jackson that he
would not approve an act Of the Legisla-
ture without first consulting him and
giving him warning. as it would be for MIR.
Jackson to ask him to do it. Such in
formation. prematurely obtained. would
enable holder Of stock to unload and
leave the burden of the loss to his asso-
ciates, who were no: so we'll informed.
We are glad to learn therefore, that Gov
ernor Kellogg performed his executive
duties without first stepping over to the
gas Office to post the astute fnancier who
divides his time between that institution
and his salt bins
Mr. Jackson. however. disagrees with
US. and rushes into print to show conclu-
sively that the Governor has. by signing
act No. LOG. put in jeopardy the interests
Of the old gas monopoly. but does not
show wherein the public has any serious
concern il the matter. He shows
tha. the monopoly which has been
enjoyed for many years by a COM
pany Of Yankees and foreigners has
been transferred to another set of
monopolists, the new privilege to go into
effect upon the expiration of the old one.
which is believed and declared to be some
time in 1875.
The old monopoly started out with the
right to charge five or SIX dol
lars per thousand cubic feet. and to
demand deposi: i'll advanc: equal to the
amount Of two months supply. The new
monopoly can only extort four dollars
per thousand. Possibly the privileges Of
deposit will remain with the new COM
pany. If so, we will hope that they will
pay the interest as the law requires. TIE
Old monopoly does not 90 this and has
made a very good thing for year c- two
by having tie use Of million OF So Of
their customers money free Of interest.
But they coiiec: their gas bills with un-
erring punc.uality. Since 1866. We have
had gas furnished us for four dollars per
thousand, which is the highes. rate paid
in large cities in the United States, and
probably more than one hundred per cent
advance or cost But as the wick Of the
old monopoly began to burn low. when
there were but few months left OF bad
life: after having burned their candle for
forty years in the service of the devil, they
blow the snuff il the face Of the Lord by
offering to reduce the price to three dol
lars fox rich CONSUMERS, OK those who
leave OF deposi: enough to pay for two
months consumption, without interest.
and then pay their bills very promptly.
We are unable to say just now how many
hundreds Of thousands OF dollar, the gas
company would lose by this strategic
or how many millions gas
consumers have lost because the idea did
not occur to the gas company before.
We have 70 iLteres: in the new Monop-
oily, Eor 90 We care much whether We are
to be ridden by that OF by our old oppres-
sor. Bu; We DO no: think tha: i: lies i'll
the mouth o: the Old company. tLa: Las
oppressed this people vi;Lou. mercy for
forty CT fifty years, to cry out against q
riva! that promises 70 be 10 wo:se than is
accuser ha, proved itself to Be even dur
ing its latter and better days.
The promised reduction Of gas to three
dollars is regarded by the people in two
fold light. neither OF wlic. is very fat
tering to the old company.
l. That three dollars is /. fair price for
gas instead c: four dollars and fifty cents.
which the company exacted for thirty
years. or four dollars. which they have Lad
for the past ten o, twelve.
2. That tie reduction is announced asa
bluff to frighten away its riya! and If it
succeeds il doing this the price will lie
raised again witLou: delay.