Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1882-05-13
A CARD.
~ cu,nrrsrnwN

ticle signed by our highly esteemed snd schol-
arlv accomplished citizen, WIN. H. haoIe,
President Of the "CharlestoUn Gas ana Nater
Company" As some portion OF that article
might at least be inferred to apply to myself
10 that | would respectfully reply, both as d
citizen of this town ard as its chlci executive
officer. The Mayor. 1 lteTelr subinr, that III
my o%pinion, Mr.. Kable-with all dee deierenee
is unjust to the own and the Town Council
lie assumes that the Council has made war on
the Gas Company and adopted TIE system oi
Gasoline for the purpose OF llShtlhS the 'oM"'
am not aware tina, such Is the case. Inc
Council has. as | understand Il, 50 far maze ar
raneenents for lighting the town as 10 pur-
chase lamps and lamp Posts which are sdiVd-
bic 6itherfOr Gas or Gasolne-which actlcl
could Got have been taken except Tor the vote
of member of the Council WHO'S, also, 1 learh'
"A stakeholder in the Gas Company anu alsoohG
of its ernployees-op which subject, however l
V-as net called TO vote. If they had decided 20
re Gasoline. the town could have been hght-
ed some time ago. As the Charleston 6as
and Water Company" have had no Gas 70 seit
nor have they ut this time, | am at u loss 10
understand why they shoUidtce aggrieNed tlrlt
thctown didnO. buy it, Gas. Yet II seems, they,
ia &rsa-ence to the Company, apparently nave
waited - learn TT what price the Company
voald b able and willing To furnish Gas, also
to learn its quality and eiiicacy-and no doUD'
ifGas can be furnished rs cheaIly aS the GaSo-
line. the Council Nill adopt il. for the COun-
ell. however. / am not NJ liberty TO speak, nor
do further than my own feelings on the SUD
jet.
I also notice Mr.. Ksoios reference to contrac'
tors rric.s In the city of Baltimore. Now
whilst confess Try limited acquaintance with
city contractors, vet disclaim my wllllngneSst0
publish over my name IS facts statements
NAV have read in city newspapers, Mr.. kaoleS
action 10 the contrary Notwithstanding, learn
from the same source of Information 10 when
Mr.. liable refers, lthe city papers,, that some
times city contractors are called tc ENJOY the
delights of CITY prisons by reason of their cry
contracts. also learn by eX~perimentmade oy.
some Of our citizens in this that a quartot
Gasoline. in a Gasoline Lamp, has burned con-
t|inuOuslv for over ~twenty-thrce hours, when,
at a cost often cents per gallon, would certain
liz not be two cents per night 81 tWeiNe houIs'
for which same time at cne cent per hour ior
each Gas burner of . foot capacity The Gas Co,
according 20 Mr.. Kable's prices, would charge
tWentv+our cents. If Won lessen the time OF
Gas consumption, also diminish the time OF
Gasoline.
Apart. however, from cOnjcctured prices,
when the Gas Company have Gas TO sell, would
Il not be a good test to exhibit each az thcSaIae
tire, so that those who pay for the article 81 d
be the Judges as 10 the degree OF satisfaction
which each gives? Is not this much bcttertlah
takingthe bind statement of the action OF oth-
or places as our guide? Are ret tie reoricthc
proper judges?
lam not sufficiently acquainted with thecus-
tom OF other towns 70 make any direct state
ment rs tc their habits and customs, IS docs my
fellow citizen, Mr.. Kable, bat shali content my
self to tread the straight path OF good citizen
ship and duty in this town, both aS IT. humble
citizen and exalted Mayor-ard what ever
of all the different kinds OF Light Tor ! am
personally interested in none or no particular
kind the town may adopt, ! SNAIL contribute
nv humble share promptly 10 It's accomplish
mcut. As to the number of lamps required Or
what number will be sufficient t. slight the town,
am not able 10 say. Notwithstanding MI. Ma
bic does say what number Is sufficient. As 20
the statement that his (Mr. rs company fas
been badly treated, evcrSincc it has been crea-
ted. 1 shall take this occasion TO say tiat
nothing has or could DC further from my
thoughts or actions, or my interest. Are you
so blinded with gas 90 Wrice) Is not 10 see our
Valley Fertilizer Company, our p!aNing hlii'
our water front Foundry, and, too, our previous
Gas Comiany-SOme OF whose mains you use
none of whom. 50 far rs can learn, have ever
demon, ii help of the corporation. Yet quote
YOU: though his is the first enterprise for
manufacturing. thus organized, ever started
&c. TO say nothing OF other priVat. enterprises
row I'm our time. Amongst the members Oh
the Ges company are men for whom ! nave the
highest rc-arl. ard i'll may take the liberty
so TO S.y. my most intimate and valued irie'ldS!
and in this company they have cln'alke"
their capital-surely my feelings nor aclloh
could not bear harShly towards them nor have
ever heard any harShneSs towards this coinla-
nv otherwise than asserted by Mr.. X. On IN"
o;her hand. how often does one hear DESCRIBED
the harshness of one particular scene when
some of the officers OF this same company
| which is now complaining Of unkind treat
/ ment, did, by superior force and strength WIN
their hands literally at the throat OF one IN
whom they had sufficient confidence 10 eutris'
by contract the construction OF their WORKS,
| and armei with axes broke down 'ue barriers
/ OF protection Of the property OF the contractor
~ who~' they lad given quiet and pcaccable
possession. and after this har>ancsS adjusted
/ their differences by the acknowledgement oi q
! debt II seventeen hundred dollars, which they
I assumed andiu part. If not IN Whole, nave palui'
! and this az the time done in the name OF TINS
same company! And ST far rs can hcar no
! disclaimer has ever come from the company,
MS fo tie action of It's Officers. And, further,
I Mr.. kable SAYS: why not elect . coulcll guich
will serve for nothing-nO pay, 50 tlct the town
may be better able 10 buy his Gas. ! ear IN no
way speak for the members OF the council
/ bat for my part / have never received any com
| peusltion or my services as Mayor, though i
| ive1 s,lary is stated for the office of Mayor,
/ and will continue to be as liberal 10 Mr.. IA
ble's Company rs he Is TO the Council. VIII
serve the town with my every humble ability.
| free of pay, il his company Will lurnlsa "aS
free of charge? As to the degree oi value o'
my service can only refer the citizens 10 ID!
past record in tlIis position. and at TINS time II
micht not be ont of place 90 say ! am q candl-
date for the position of Mayor. 20 toe voted ioi
NJ the coming election. and If ELECTED will en-
deavor To perform the duties OF the Office VIII
all the ability possess, without fear, favor, oI
affection. Orthe hope. or expectation of reward
l cannot close this without reference 10 the
statement made by Mr.. kablc that not a man
who dictates action i'm the Council has given
word Of encouragement or put his foot inside
the work" &c. For myself / can truly dis
claim the dictation of any action in the Coun
cil. As To- whom ne refers he is best able to in
form Won. vi - member of the town Counci
by whose vote. land it could NO; have beer
done without i) the selection of lamp
and Posts was effected has evidence
his presence IT your works by IN
daily skilled labor, other councilmen
learn have contributed with their presence an'
material 10 the helpof the work ard your hum
ble servant the undersigned, haS been at you
works and was by Cn5 of your Directors intro
duccl 70 my worthy contestant for tire NayoTai
" the} AS our future Mayor
/ can only hope Mr.. X. is more accurate II
his other statements than in this, yet | do mo-
as he seems tit TO do, charge this To the GRo-
IC~NoRANCE' in CharlestOwn.
! remain with great respect, your Mayor am
humble servant,
EsRoN SLIFER,
Mayor.
Mays tss2-