Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-11-01
TUESDAY, MoRNING, NOVEMBER 4, 1881.
BIGHTING THE STREETS WITH
GAS.

Acommitteo of the Gas Company appeared
before the Town Council on Tuesday night
last, and laid before that body the subject of
erecting street lamps for che benefit of the
town. The matter was referred to a commit,
tee of one councilman from each ward, to
confer with the Gas Company committee aud
report to a special meeting of the Council on
Friday night.
oa Friday night, (bsSore z O'Clock, the
asusl hour Of nesiing0 the Council met and
Che following paper, prepared BY the Gas
Company, was read:
The Charlestown Gas & Water COMPANY
are about to lay gas mains from their works
on Congress street, to Water street to Wash
ingten street, thence along Washington TO
East street; also along Charles street from
Washington to the Methodist Church. ON
George street from Washington south To
line of Miss Sallie Browns lot, on George
street north to Liberty, on Samuel street to
B.&o.depot, and south to g.. f. Gallaher's
en- Mildred street. IF the town will erect
gas lamps at points along these routes, the
Company will furnish gas to light them at
800 per thousand feet, less 20 per cent.
As the mains are extended from time to time
the Company will furnish gas to light such
lamps as the town may erect along the route.
Three OF the posts to be meter posts, erected
at average points. We estimate the proba.
BILE consumption by the town at about 25
feet per lamp, per night of five hours. The
Company deems it impracticable to extend
Its nains beyond the points above indicated
at present, for the reason that there are not
consumers enough to justify the expense.
10 the 20 points indicated by the Council
and not embraced in our proposition, if the
Council will lay the pipes II inches in di,
ameter, and erect lamp posts, the Company
gagree to furnish gas for five years free Of
charge, the pipes at the end of that time to
revert to the Company. The consumption
to: be 3 hours per night, $50 nights in the
year.
After reading this. it was laid upon the
table and the Council, as we are informed
Immediately adjourned, (the hour Of Z hav-
ing not yet arrived,) and in face of the fsot,
as We are told, that it was understood that a
committee of the Gas Company would appear
before the body. This, to say the least, was
uneourteous to the Gas Company, aud we re-
greet that such hasty action should have been
had. The people of Charlestown want the
streets of the town lighted, and every effort
should be made to secure the same. The
Council, it seems to US, might at least have
waited until the committee of the Gas Com,
pany appeared before it, and then, if the pa
per presented was not acceptable and no other
conclusion could be arrived at, would have
been time enough to table or reject the same.
The view of the Council that the entire town,
and not a portion of il, should be lighted, is
no doubt q correct one. The people. of all
sections pay taxes, and. all need light. The
cost of laying extra gas mains to all remote
points, however, is o serious one, ESTIMATED
a sensihing like $1,000 and such .s q sem.
psny like ours,in its infancy, is unable to bear.
The corporation, on the other hand, is unable
20 incur the expense also, without increasing
eur bonded debt, which is not desirable for
this purpose. But to overcome this diHfcul>
ty compromise might be effected which
would harmonize everything and give light
to all sections. Scarcely any city or town
where street lamps are used is lighted entire
ly by gas. As a general rule, it is too ex-
pensive to lay the mains to all suburban
points, and therefore such points are lighted
by kerosene, gasoline or some oil; and as
from time to time gas mains reach such
points, the oil lamps are removed and gas
lamps substituted in their stead. This is the
practice in Winchester, shippensburg and
other places, and We think is what shoRld be
done here. Such an arrangement would
doubtless prove satisfactory to the people Of
the entire town, and we hope the matter will
be earnestly considered by our City Fathers.