Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-11-02
LIGHTING CHE CITY.
The Electric Light Company Arrange 70 |
Have 1t Lighted Temporarily by the
Mutual Gas Company.

The Electric Light Company Arrange TO
Have 1t Lighted Temporarily by the
Mutual Gas Company.
The Board Of Directors of the Electric
Light and Power Company was in ses-
sion on and OF yesterday, devising means
to meet the emergency caused by the de-
struction Of its works by the late fire. A
committee. consisting of Messrs. Rep
pard, Richards, Estill and Kayton, was
appointed to see what arrangements
could be made to light the city and to
confer with the committee of City
Council having charge Of such
matters. The committee first visited
the Office Of the Savannah Gas Light Com
pany and had an interview with its Presi-
dent, Gen. Gilmer, who declined TO enter
into any negotiations with the Electric
Light Company, but said that his COM
pany was ready to contract with the city
direct, upon the most favorable terms,
provided it would make three or fye
year contract.
The committee then called at the office
of the Mutual Gas Light Company. Mr..
y. F. Thompson informed the visitors that
his company would do everything ii
could in the emergency. That he had 300
street lamps and a supply of naptha and
could get a few lamps ready by night, and
have all he had on hand lit by Monday. if
not before.
The next visit was to the Mayors Office,
where the committee met Mayor Lester
and Aldermen Derst and Nichols, to whom
they made a statement of what could be
done in the way of lighting the city. After
considerable discussion the Mayor and
Gas Committee requested the Electric
Light Company to address a cOmmunica-
ton to the City Council, and stated that
a special meeting would be called for D
O'Clock in the evening TO consider the
same.
In the meanwhile Capt. D. G.. Purse,
Vice President of the Electric Light Com
pany, was using the wires freely, COM
municating with the manufacturers of
dyuamos and other apparatus to find out
| what could be done about a new outfit,
| and arrangements were also made with
| the Mutual Gas Light Company to put up
/ what lamps they could without delay, so
| that the city would not remain in dark
ness should the negotiations be delayed.
A Board meeting was called at once for
| the purpose of considering the proposition
to be submitted to City Council. After a
! thorough discussion of the situation of
affairs, the following proposition was
agreed upon, and the committee proceed
| ed to the Mayors office, where the Board
/ of Aldermen was in session. Mr.. r. r.
Richards, in behalf of the committee, read
| the following:
l. The Brush Electric Light and Power
Company will light the city temporarily, say
/ for four months from date, by means of naptha
| lamps as was done before the lighting Of the
| city by electricity. This time Will be neces-
| sary to repair the damages done the company
| by the disastrous fire of yesterday.
, If the city will accept 1t as substitute
| for its contract as heretofore performed by
the Brush Electric Light and Power Com
4 f~ou Mr.
| T. Thompson is respectfully submitted to the
city.
Here followed the propositlon:]
| This company, if the city accepts Mr.
| ThOmpsOn's proposition, will not rebuild Its
| works and Will release the city, as the city
1 will also be required to release 1t, from the
contract between it and the city. The Brush
/ Electric Light and Power Company have not
neglected TO call upon the President OF The
Savannah Gasight Company, and Its COM
| mittee was informed by him that his company
/ would not treat with the Brush Electric Light
and Power Company for lighting the city for
! the uneXpired term of its contract with the
| city; hence we submit the above proposition
| made by Mr.. Thompson.
3. should the city reject Mr.. ThOmpson's
| proposition this company, before rebuilding
| its works, desires to hear from the city posi-
/ lively whether it accepts the contract as here
tOfOre performed by it. This positive accept
ance this company thinks is due to it under
| the circumstances
AlltI SOlut uiSCuociUl- INT luAlOhiliS
amendment to the proposition was offered
by Alderman Wells, and accepted on the
part of the Electric Light Committee, pro-
vided the Board of Directors agreed to 1t:
That the proposition to light the city with
naphtha for ninety days be accepted; the city
to decide within twelve days whether or not 1t
Will accept the contract for lighting the city
as heretofore performed by the Electric Light
Company.
The committee retired while the
Council discussed the question. After
adjournment, the committee was inform
ed that the proposition as stated above
! had been substantially agreed to.
a few Of the naptha lamps were lit last
night, and it is hoped that by tonight the
greater part of the city will be provided
with them. The Electric Light Company
has done everything possible in the
premises. and in view of the difficulties
surrounding it and the heavy loss it has
sustained, the prOmptness of those who
have its affairs in hand in looking after
the important matter of lighting the city
is to be commended.