The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-07-19

NELL. here We are again! We are ail
a, progrcts aud development, but when a
gts ,antive proposition is presented some
Of US are quick to see in it the grasplng
hand Of purse proud capitalists who might
make money out OF their venture; and up
,os the howl. 1t went up yesterday to
,be extent Of three.quarteIs Of column
in the Register, which sees in the PROPOSE
lion Of the Wheeling Natural Gas
Heating Company ascheme to "gobble the
streets and alleys by private corporation"
Council and the people are warned against
N odous and hideous monopoly. The
demsgoguc never stops to inquire or ex-
pIain what monopoly is; it is enough for
bis purpose to veil monopoly in the hope
Of Convincing the dear people that he is
,hei, only friend. The people are supposed
TO be waiting for the demgogue to tell them
which way 90.
Let US see what the matter is now. 1t
isa reasonable supposiion that Wheel
in, is in tue natural gas belt. Five Of her
citizens have incorporated company to
bore for gas with view to furnishing it to
shepeOpIe for heating purposes exclusive
II. They propose to ask the city togive
them such privileges as may be necessary
tothis rnd. The details Of the proposition
toDe made to the city have not yet been
fully matured; they will be reasonable or
they will uoL be iavorably considered. The
Rea who ARE willing to put money in this
enterprise hope 10 make money out Of 1t.
What shall We say 10 them? Shall we
sIam The Council doors in their faces
turn them abruptly away ss hated capital
ISIS who seek TO btcome odious monopol-
i.;s-or shall we give 'hem hearing and
see whether they have something TO ask OF
Us which it will pay US to concede?
Everybody agrees that II the gas can be
had We ought to have it. Everybody has
been agreeing to this proposition since the
ra'nral gas question came TO the front.
Certain enterprising manufacturers are
boring on their own premises i,'r their
own purposes. Nothing has been d one to
put the new and better and cheaper fuel
into every mans house and into the small
Industrial establishments. 1t has never
Until now been proposed that the city shall
gointothc business OF furnishing fuel. But
Low this proposition is made to kill the
Project which suggested it. 1t seems, then,
'AaI this much has been gained at all
events, that it is worth while to do some
iAnG to utilize the natural gas II it can be
.1nad in sufficient volume.
Oleht the city 10 make the venture?
Eaat depends upon circumstances-wheth-
'Ethe city has the money to invest, wheth-
Z it ought to risk its money II parsons can
" found to risk theirs, whether 1t is q
,lsinesS in which it i5 desirable for the
,y to engage. These and other questions
Vlld have been put with pertinaCity II
0 other proposition were pending,
al ,hey are worthy oi no less CT n ,ideF.
on now. 1t would not be good policy for
le city 20 rush in merely to drive a private
,rpoa,iop out, But, let it be granted
,at it would bo well for the city to 20 into
lis busiuess-will the city do 1t? and,
50, when viii 1t begin2
The company is ready to begin
ow. No red tape ties its hands; 1t has,
nd has the power to spend, all the
souey that may be necessary to bore its
ellis and lay its pipes-in all which 1t Is
lore Iayombly situated than the city. The
me to Sct is now, before the winter be.
.m. iitbe company offers plan condu-
re to the public welfare, it will pay us to
,Oept It, though the company also may
,ake money. We can judge better when
10 plan ID proposed in detail.
But don't let us fall into the old folly
nd persist in standing still because some.
ody may profit while We are prosper
lg Wheelingis is acquainted with that
ind Of progress, and the balance Is on
he wrong aide OF the account.