Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-01

There Is growing suspicion that the an
nouncements Of the Edison electric light COM
pany conceal a movement to "bear" the gas
stock market. The st. Louis Globe Democrat
warns its readers to be wary OF creditlng state
ments about the success OF the electric light, eS
pecially II they are interested in gas because 1t
says, mo mention of EdIson's experiments
with electric light is ever made, it seems, with
out an accompanying allusion to the effect he
is producing on gas stocks" The Louisville
COurie1'-Journal says "holders OF gas stocks
should be In no hurry to get rid of their paper"
Other leading papers advise the gas companies
to f0rtify themselves against improvements
in light, that are sure to come, by reducing the
price Of gas to the lowest figures consistent with
fair profit. In Wheeling wv. Va) the city owns
the gas works, and IL supplies gas, of Is and 16
candle power, to consumers at 81, 20 per 1000
cubic feet, with 10 per cent, discount if paid
within ten days. This price yields a net
profit to the city, after keeping the works In
good order and extending and improving them
to Keep UP with the growing demand. The city
hospital in Cincinnati manufactures It's own
gas, and 1t turns out an 1S-candle article at a
cost OF sI't cents per 900 cubic feet. In Pitts
burgh two companies supply gas at one dollar
per 1000 cubic feet, and they are realizing
profit at that price. People generally will be sat-
isfled with gas If they can get it cheap and good
enough. 1t furnishes an excellent light, and IS
easily controlled. Let the gas companies supply
the public with good quality of gas at low
rates, and they need not fear the electric light.
There has been too much monopoly in gas, and
that has created prejudice against all the
companies, but this prejudice can be removed
by low prices and fair dealing in future.
The king killers of Europe have made another
failure owing to the poor workmanship OF the
Instrument selected to perform the cowardly
deed. The character OF these would-be aSSaS-
sins, who trenble so violently as they fire at the
intended victim, Is, alone, enough 10 Inspire
contempt for the movement which prompts the
act There is no doubt some secret organha-
uon at the bottom OF these attempted aS5aSSi-
nations but a disguised enlightened sentiment
refuses to credit 1t with the patriotism
II claims. In the first place good cause IS
never driven to assassination in order to make
.'tyrants tremble." In no single instance have
the liking killers" put forward as their chosen
assassin a person worthy OF even decent SYM
pathy. Gonzales, who attempted the murder of
King Alfonso, Tuesday, was but common
waiter, and his cowardly heart beat so
O. violently that he missed his mark by a
long distance. Then, when taken, he
whined like a whipped cur and pleaded
that he was not responsible; that he had been
driven through fear, to fire the shot. 1t is not
by such contemplate instruments as this that
great causes for the public good are won. II
one OF the sovereigns whose lives have been
threatened will but exercise 1.-THE OF his power
against this cowardly and contemplate organl-
zation OF liking killers they will, no doubt,
take fright and each will hasten to surrender his
confederateS and save his own worthless car
caSS by turning states evidence.