Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-20
That Gas Bill-what it Meant.

Editor .H0rRinq NetoS: A measure came
before the Legislature on Tuesday last
which appears to have been adeliberately
planned scheme to injure an important
enterprise in this city. Introduced and
advocated Ostensibly in the interest of
''pure gas" it was evidently intended to
kill off the Mutual Company, of Savan-
nah, with all other water gas companies
in the State. The existence of this COM
pany is now generally known, for its
buildings are completed, and plant,
costing 100000, is announced to be fin
ished in all its details this winter, and
yet it was kept in ignorance of this en-
tire proceeding. But for the timely help
of Col. E. f. Hoge, the Atlanta Repre-
sentative, the measure would have passed
without the parties in interest here know
ing aught in regard to it.
The strangest part of the pro-
ceeding. however, lies in the
fact that the measure was introduced and
championed by Captain Falligant, the
Representative from this city. He GER
tainlv knew that the Mutual Gas Com
panv here had vested rights and fran
chises: that it was in part composed OF
our most prominent citizens, and that
very general interest was felt for its sue
cess. Yet he gave no notice whereby
they could defend their rights before the
committee when the matter come up
therein for consideration. In fact, so ten
DERBY and carefully does the bill appear
to have been handled, that even the COM
mittee were kept in ignorance of its real
import, since it was stated by the Chair
man. bV way of explaining how his COM
mittee came to approve it, that "they
knew nothing of old or new gas. CON-
panies, or the fight going ON between
them"
Now | submit that this is not fair treat
ment for a Representative to int1ict on
any portion of his constituents. An OPP
pOrtunity should at least have been given.
them to be heard on a measure intended
so vitality to affect their interests. If the
OriginatOrs of questionable methods like
this one to kill off gas competition expect
to gain anything by them they are much
i'll error. They only raise up stronger and
more active friends for new companies.
The Mutual Company here only asks fair
plav at the hands of the authorities. The
gas they will supply has passed through
such crucial tests as leaves no room for
any unpreiudiced person to doubt its eX
cpilence. 1t has been ''inVestigated' by
health boards. ''analyZed' by chemists,
regulated" by Legislatures, ISLAM
dered' by coal gas publishers,
and in every other conceivable
way have consumers been "prejudiced'
against it.: yet from out all these it has
come forth triumphantly, and during the
past year has made more rapid progress
than ever before in its history. The fact
that coal gas men fight it so persistently
is one of the strongest things in its favor.
Now, shall the new company have fair
play in savannah? L suggest if any more
such legislation is sought to be put upon
us that we be given chance to be heard
from; or if our city authorities are APP
pealed to for purposes of hindering or
delaying the work, that the voice of the
citizens who have so generally signified
their willingness TO patronize the COM
pany be heard, and we will abide the re-
sult. n. F. THOMPSON,
Secretary Mutual Gaslight Co.
Savannah Sent 49, 1883.