The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-07-23
aoYERNMEMr GAS.
A boz nreere over a LllIs RlII.

A Zig Breeze over . Little Bill
We mentioned yesterday morning the
difficulty between the Gas Trustees and
the Government authorities about the gas
bill for the Custom House and Postottce,
which resulted in the turning of OF the
gas in those buildings on Wednesday.
Wednesday night and last night the only
light in the postoftice was furnished by
candles, which did not prove at all salts
factory. Considerable interest was mani
tested on the streets yesterday in the ex.
act nature Of the disagreement which
led to turning of the gas. 1t seems
that the veto Of the general deac.
inecy appropriation bill by the
President on account Of the politi-
cal provisions tackled upon It, left the
Government no funds to pay for the light
ing and heating of public buildings
throughout the country. Accordingly o
circular was issued by the national athori-
ties at Washington and sent TO all the
custodians Of public buildings in the
country to that effect. Mr.. Gilchrist and
Col. Sterling at once notified the Gas
Trustees that there was no money 10 pay
the gas bill here, but the Trustees indiyid.
ually assumed the responsibility for the
payment OF the bill, and continued the
gas supply to the PostotIice building. This
was in May. After time an appropria-
ton was made, and the Gas Trustees were
notified that Il they made out their bill i
would be paid. This was done, the bill
for portion OF the month OF May being
made out at the rate OF 81 20 per thousand,
amounting to Sl1 40. When Mr.. Gilchrist
received this bill he refused to approve 1t,
on account OF the fact that discount oil
10 per cent. before given on the Postotice
bills, was not allowed in this bill. The
Trustees then shut off the gas, nd 80 the
matter stands, the amount In dispute be-
ing 81 II, 10 per centof S1l 40.
Col. Sterling offered TO pay this sum-
provided the bill could be made out al
though the discount were allowed. The
Trustees said II was not In their op'
ton, to do this, and offered 10 credit the
81 IA on the bill. Col. Sterling partially
agreed to do this, but after consultation
with Mr.. Gilchrist decided not TO do 30.
The Inconvenience in the operations al
the postoftice must be great II the gas re,
mains shut of for any length OF time, and
with this in view, no doubt, awell known
public spirited citizen yesterday sent the
following communication to the Secretary
OF the Gas Trustees:
WHEELING, W. Va, July %, 1880.
H. CalduvR, Esq, Secretary, &c'
DEAR SIR:-If the discount on the gas
bills of the Custom House is the cause o.
interrupting the evening aud night posta
service 1 request you to charge the amoun
to my account, and To have the gas turnet
on at once. Truly yours,
AUGUSTUS PoLLACE.
To which Mr.. Caldwell has written the
following response:
WHEELING, W. Va, July %, 1880.
Augustus Potlack, Esq.:
DEAR SIR:-Your note Of to-day is a
hand. The gas was shut of from thu
PostoiIice building because OF the failure
Of the Government to pay It's gas bills
, amounting to S34 IS. I refer you to MIR
James Gllchrist, custodian OF the Custom
House, for information as to how much
, the refusal OF the trustees to allow
a certain discount had to do with his re
fusal to approve the bills and forward
them to the department. His demand
was for the allowance OF discount to which
i the Government was not entitled and tt,
, granting OF which is forbidden by an ordi
nance OF the city. Very respectful!
yours, HARRY CALDWELL oecy.
The position Of the trustees is this
The ordidance giving them exis
tence provides that "the price o
j gas shall be, until otherwise or
i dered by Council, one dollar and twenty
cents per thousand cubic feet, upon which
price the said Trustees shall allow thu
Q consumer a discount Of ten per cent !
D The bill be paid on or before tie tenth day Of III
month such bill becomes due, II paid at tn
/ office OF the Trustees" This, 1t will b,
b seen, gives the Trustees no authority y
5 grant discount except when the bill i
j. paid on or before the tenth. This no
8 having been done, the Trustees say the,
t could not do otherwise than they did. !
. | is to be hoped that in some way the mat
ter may be adjusted, and the operation
! OF the Postoffice go on unimpeded b.
want Of light.