The daily gazette., 1881-06-10
THE GAS QUESTION.

cnalr. Tho session was the most 6xclt-
ing since the one held on Fourth Of July
1879, when Council remained In session
until 4 O'Clock In the morning In en-
deavoring TO fili the vacancy caused by
the death Of Richard Rowe Of the Ninth
Ward.
The cause Of the excitement was the
adverse reports d the two new gas COM
panies asking permission to lay gas pipes
In the streets Of the city. At times the
discussion waxed warm, and personail-
Ties were INDUCED In.
On petition OF the Union Gas Compa-
ny to lay pipes In various streets of the
city, the Sueet Committee reported ad-
versely.
R.H. Taylor moved that the report Of
COmmittea lag over until the Last regu-
lar meeting night In this month.
Il Mr.. Robinson desired 10 know Of the
gentleman why he wanted the report to
lay over.
Mr.. Z. II. Taylor said ono reason was
that 1t would lead TO considerable dis
cussiOn, and as IL had been in the hands
OF the Committee for some time, when
both sides had been heard, 1t should lay
over In order to allow members of Coun-
Gil 10 bear arguments.
Mr.. Townsend said he admitted that
the petitions'had been in the hands of the
Committee for &c me time, and they had
endeavored TO get all the information
possible in regard to gas in other cities,
and the gas company are waiting upon.
the action of Council 70 make number
of improvements.
Mr.. Merris Taylor said he thought It
nnthinfr tha rfmht IN Ia ka
over. The Committee had got consid-
erable inform alton on the subject and
he thought Council should have the
same opportunity.
Mr.. McMepamin said be knew some
thing about the mater. 1t had been
sometime IN the hands Of the committee
and they had thoroughly investigated
the subject. he thought that the matter
Abould be acted ul,n tonight, for in
three weeks there would be . new com
mittee, aud 1t might be allowed to slum-
Der there. j7i's '..4 l'.ltl|
The motion to lay the report of the
Committee over was lost. On the adop-
tlon Of the report MIR. Blake called for
the ayes and nays. "
Before the vote was called Mr.. Town
send presented. the following letter
from George Richardson, President Of
the Wilmington Coal Gas Company,
which on his request was read. The
letter is as follows: -
| = 81 sm authorized by the Directors of
this company, to say, that II they are
Permitted TO have the advantage or the
increasing consumption of gss In this
| city by being protected from competition
| In its manufacture, they will agree to
supply consumers from the whole line
If their pipes, after be first Of July, at
$1.50 per thousand cubic feet, cash, aud
the corporation buildings for $1.25 per
thousand feet, so long as there Ia no
great advance In the price OF coal.
Mr.. X. II. Taylor after tho letter had
been read said that he was not aware
that there was to be report on the Pc
titions sprung on Council and railroaded
through. There had been q desire
ameng our citizens for years to have
competition In gas. There was not 90
much opposition as to the price Of gas,
but to the size of bills. He knew OF
many instances where the bills were
very high, but he would enly mention
one, 1t cost more 10 light the City Hall
for one quarter than It did TO light the
Clayton House. The present company
were paying . dividend OF IL per cent.
Why not divide and make 1t six for two
companies, which amount would be o
very handsome profit. He was not
prepared TO discuss the subject at pres
ent because he had not looked into the
Ilmatter. ~ ~ v pffb
Mr.. Townsend presented price list of
gas furnished In other cities where there
are more than one company. The prices
were all higher than the offer made by
the company in this city.
Mr.. Rodney said he wou uld vote for
the report OF the committee on four rea-
sons; tearing up the streets and not leav-
ing them ID the same condition as be-
fore: believed that 1t would be prejudi-
cial 10 the public health and create sick
ness; the low price and guarantee offered
by the present company; that competi-
tion was unnecessary. ,..
The report Of The committee was then
adopted by the following vote:
Ayes-Messrs. Adele, Blake, Barn
hill, Beecher, Bailey, Carmichael, Nc
Menamin, Mention, McKenna, Moore,
Paynter, Rodney, Robinson, Smith,
Shaw, Townsend, Talley, Lawrence,
Denny and President Sharpley. 20.
| Nays--Messrs. Adams, X. H. Taylor
and Merris Taylor,3 3.
Tho same committee made similar
report upon the petition OF the Diamond
State Gas Company. The report upon
this petition led TO q more extended and
heated debate than on the first report.
MIR, X. II. Taylor said he would move
that the matter lay over for two weeks,
He was opposed to rushing the matter
through Council without giving the citi'
zens an opportunity 10 petition for new
company.
Mr.. Merris Taylor said he protested
against the unseemly haste In rushing
he measure through. The matter had
remained locked up In the seclusi0n o
the committee, and now they come herr
With no arguments presented to main
tain this monopoly. He did not like Il
make any threats, but he would dare th'
! monopolists to let 1t go before the peopl'
: for one week; yes, he would dare then
\ to do So. 5Tt. tW
Il Mr.. Robinson said that the committe
J. had gwen a patient hearing to all sides
l and After considerable labor arrived q
Q the conclusion TO report adversely Oh
the petitions.
Mr.. b. Il. Taylor said II wass hast
o action on the part Of the committee, AM
= he would say now, no matter wha
y action Council took In the matter, ther
=. "a ..cx~ la.