Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-10
SUGGESTIONS SUBMITTED.

EDS. RECORD UNION When reading youl
report this morning regarding the electric
light granted to a company Tor Individually BY
the Board of Trustees, it appeared to me a:
if it wera done rather ungraciously. Electric
light is no more of humbug than gas was
branded once, even by nel Of science. 1t is
well known that Humphry Dsvy, one OF
the greatest scientists and chemists in Eng.
land, at the time illuminating gas was intro
duced, showed violent opp 5sition and prophe-
sled its early discontinuance, and yet it
spread from city to city and assisted in every
civilized country the advancement of the
human race Electric light may be com.
pared to the diamond. 1t is precious stone,
and yet many persons may delight in show
ing its brillisncy, providing they have the
funds to pay for it. The diamond, still, has
to have q gold setting, and this setting, when
compared with electric light, is gas or fuel /;
and the time may not be so very distant
when gas will supply the fuel to drive the
dynamo-electric machines by which the pres
ent electric light is produced or generated.
OF course gas has come down IN price some
what for that purpose, as well as for illum-
ination. In San Francisco les per dispatch
d
gas had been lowered from So to 81 80, there
is still lower reduction expected, as Penn
sylvsnia corporation leased the Central Gas
light Compsny's plant.
When, therefore, gas is to be generally
used for illumination, as well as heating, it
must be lowered in price, and then the de-
mand will be correspondingly larger. If,
therefore, the brighter ighf, to q certain ex-
tent, forces out the less bright, thu latter will
be used for different or other purposes equally
beneficial to man. No man of ordinary in
telligercs who has worked in chemical
laboratory would be so imprudent to say that
the supply of gas in the future will be less.
He would, however, be rash if he would per-
sist that all other brighter lights are only
humbug.
In the introduction of the electric light in
Sacramento ATTENTION ought TO be paid to ir-
sulation, and as this is the beginning, shut
down on the poles at once, or the conducting
of the current in the air. Sooner or later in
all large cities of the United States this sys-
TEN has to be nbliterated and the methods
adopted Of the cities of Europe. Neither in
Paris nor Berlin has the writer seen any L.
graph wires, even much lees dangerous wire
that is liable by touch to kill as Quick as
lightning which it in reality represents, and
yet it can be made far less dangerous than a
steam engine, which is liable to explode.
This viii and has happened with certain pro-
portions of gas and air also.
All wires ought to be laid underground,
properly insulated, then the fear and danger
by touch will be obvisted.
1t will surely kill if touched, if the current
is sufficiently strong OF this there can he
but little doubt. Then the slightest cobweb.
thread. or fabric, charged with moisture in
foggy weather, and in contact with telegraph
wires, would, of ccurse, play havoc with the
instruments, the danger being similar TO
lightning.
While writing 1 would call attention to a
deficiency which requires a change for the
benefit of our pleasure seeking people. Why
Is it that every church in tins city, in winter
time, when it is to be occupied, is properly
heated throughout and no one is in danger of
taking q cold which is liable to cost the per.
sons life? Why is it, again, that all places
of amusement, public halls Cor dancing, etc,
are improperly and defciently heated, al
though many hours more are spent there. sad
persons are besides in q state of excitement
Is this principally g custom of Cslifornisus to
exhibit thsir robust constitutions ~, or is it
carried out to put SO and 30 many more
dollars into the managers or companies
pocket: One thing is positive, or rather
several Either the climate has become more
robust, and more incsu.ious to expose them.
selves than years ego Whatever it be, it is
high time 70 have change, so tbeater-gosrs,
etc be not complied TO wear their heavy
0vercoats during performance, or stand the
risk of being afflicted with lung disease.
As the large Exposition building of the
State is about to be opened for the benefit of
the various charitable societies here, repre-
scented by the three great religions Of the
State, it is hoped, If the weather should be
cold, that some provision for beating some Of
the ante.rooms be made. If this is not done,
and the night is cold, many young people
may take their death c I'D there, or suffer in
heslth one way or another.
In the rendering to the benevolent oreani-
cations of this city the first use of the hall,
the State Agricultural Commissioners have
exhibited the very highest state of civiliz.-
tor, which the writer hopes in the future TO
see often repeated when similar opportuni
tiss are offered. This is indeed the great re-
ligion when working for general whole, and
the general whole are the American people.
Very respectfully, JOHN EITEL.
Sacramento, January 9, 1884.