Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-05-07
CHEAP GAS.


The question of cheap gas is being discussed in
all sections OF the county Cheap light may be
had readily and of an excellent quality, nearly Ms
good MS gas, and with many of the convcniences
but the numerous horrible accidents resulting in
tho loss of life and property prevents the intro
duction OF these cheap illumnators into the
dwellings Of citizens who are able to pay the
price of gas. The consequence of this high
price OF gas necesstates the poor to use the cheap
and dangerous finds and oils. 1t seems pity
and hardship that the poor who are least able
to use these iluminators that so terribly dcs-
tructve, should be the very people who are
forced to do so by the high pi.ce of gas-one of
the most simple, safc and proft1bly manuiactur-
ed articles that the ingenuity of man has brought
into use.
1t is notorious that gas stock is the safest and
most productive Of all the stocks sold. In nearly
every city gas manufacture becomes q monopoly
and not unfrequently the stockholders and direc-
tors OF one company become the purchasers OF
stock in numerous companies Pud thus the affairs
OF the institutions managed so that il is diff
cult for outsiders to know much about the costs
and profits, But from the fact that gas stocks
are received almost everywhere as one of the
safest collateras in making loans, is proof su1l-
cient OF its great value eud high profits derived
from the work. 1t is 4 fact that it sometimes
crowds out governments as collateral securities
Another remarkable fact is that it is never or
very rarely, found on the market quotations in
the sale OF stocks. SO profitable is it that il
buys legislation and thus is prevented competition
and the reduction of tho price of one of the
mi ~ r..
an article In the daily use IN their dwellings that
has been pronounced more dangerous than gun
powder-so dangerous indeed that tax is put
upon it, and difficulties thrown in the way of its
lie, which actually raise even its price upon the
poor laboring people who are compelled 10 risk
life and property in burning it. To avoid this,
gas should be sold for ats net cost, and would be
were it not for the immense amount of money
that is made on it,
fortunately water was too heavy an article for
individuals to handle, or this day would sec the
people Of the cities taxed for the rains of hea ven
that are caught in the streams and transmitted 10
our dwellings at mere nominal rates.
1t does seem that gas Is SO much more readily
conveyed and is so cheaply made and is so neces-
sary aud dependent upon the will Of the consul
ner that it ought to be in the hands of the citi-
zens generally and Its management and supply
he conducted as tho mutual insurance companies
are managed.
Ihe very idea that little segar shop, or trim
m'ng store, or barber shop or saloon has to pay
each quarter an amount for the use of gas that Is
equal 10 what a quarters rent used TO be is as
founding. The poor woman that sits and tolls un-
Ill midnight at the garments of her children TO
get them fit for a respectable appearance in Sab
bath School is required to pay dearly for gas or
risk her life over fluid, while tke more elevated
IN society through the favor OF fortune cannot
gNean evenings entertainment to friends with
out cost ior gas that is astounding when fairly
calculated, fully one-half OF this cost going into
lhe hands of the rich stockholders, who monopo-
LIE this business all over the country. But this
becomes positively oppressive when tie compan-
ionship OF youth, at ono of.thc most interesting
periods is cut short or required to be held under
subdued light
None are exempt from the oppressive tax for
high dividends. Even the churches are required
10 pay enormous bills while NO mercy at all is
shown TO the hotels.
These evils are not local, they arc general and
from the St. Lawrence TO lire Rio Grande, the
same complaint is raised against the high price
OF gas, the only safe illuminator that We have
aside from the old fashioned candle and lamp oil
This should not be. Gas should be as cheap
as water or air if we could make it SO.