The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-27
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ,
CITY GAS WORKS,
RICHMOND, VA. March 26. 1894


RICHMOND, Va. March %, 1884.
10 the Citizens Of Richmond:
The subscriber reluctantly appears be-
fore you in this capacity, but after the re-
markable report OF the Board OF Public
Interests recently laid before the Council
he deems an explanation due to himself as
well a. to the public. Without entering
into detail, it may be stated in general
terms that this il the first time within an
experience OF some thirty years or more
| with the gas-works, fourteen OF which have
been as Superintendent, that it has been
stated gas-engineer is essential TO the
proper manufacture OF gas and its effectual
distribution. We have in Richmond works
Of as durable and as perfect character as
could be expected from the length Of time
| they have been in existence and the linn
tied amounts that have been expended in
their repair and added apparatus.
The remark OF the Board OF Public In
terests that great changes have taken
place in the past few years in the ecOnomi-
cal manufacture OF cOal-gas, aud that they
| think our works should be under the
management Of skilled and competent
gas-engineer, who would at all times keep
well informed as to the best methods OF
gas-manufacture and be able to produce
the best results with the least expenditure
OF money, is merely the opinion Of these
| gentlemen. wholly without experience,
and who cannot possibly have had oppOr-
tunitieS equal to mine. This assert with
out egOtism or disposition to aTrOgate 10
myself superior knowledge to some who
claim to be gas-engineers. OF one thing,
| however, ] feel assured: For fourteen
years past have made il constant study
to keep myself thoroughly informed as to
| all the details OF the manufacture OF gas.
and there has been no economy suggested
| by others or that has occurred to myself
as the result OF close observation and eX.
perience which has not been ayailed Of
and that to advantage.
The deficiency Of gas, about which sc
much has been said, and OF which com
planned to our worthy Mayor more than {
year ago, has been fact 80 apparent that il
| did not admit Of debate. | urged that the
street-mains were altogether inadequate
years ago; that they were laid twenty OF
thirty years ago for population Of 10000,
and that it was simply an imposslbiIity that
they could now meet the demand made
upon them BY 10000 or more persons.
That there has been occasional defects and
sometimes accidents at the works ! con-
cede, but | submit that could the records
OF the gas-wOrks OF the whole country be
examined il would be ascertained that the
Richmond works have been as free from
Just cause Of complaint, il not more so,
than others. The inadequacy OF the works
is matter for which do not hold myself
Justly blamable.
. Ii is within the recollection OF all of the
members Of the Council and OF the COM
munIty generally that after the constant
wear and tear OF thirty years service it
was with the greatest difficulty that the
Committee on Light, at my suggestion,
succeeded in procuring an appropriation
OF $4,000. This, however, did not in
clude enlarged Street-mains. without try
ing the patience Of the public / would ask
in conclusion, what more has the expert,
Captain Benson, urged than had been
urged time and again by myself? Read
his report carefully, and it VIII be seen
that he has simply recommended an en-
largcment and an extension OF the street.
mains. Nothing mOre-nothing less. And
did il require a gas-engineer all the way
from Brooklyn, l.. j., at heavy cost, to
make this discovery
For fourteen years have been connected
with these works as its superintendent.
With A clear conscience | can say that
have devoted the best years OF my life and
given my undivided attention TO their care
and their management.
NV annual reports have exhibited 10 the
people economical mana9 ement, a full sup
ply OF gas 20 all the public Offices and pub
lie buildings of the city (eXtrayagant as
has. been its use, according TO the Board Of
Public Interests report). and then earned
for the payment Of the city's expenses
thousands of dollars. For many years
have done this at Il salary far less than that
received by any superintendent OF similar
works OF much less magnitude in any por-
ton OF the United States. The thanks re-
ceiye is recommendation that the office OF
superintendent be abolished and that the
position Of gas-engineer be created.
As It is suggested that $4,000 be apprO-
priated for the accomplishment Of objects
named by the Board Of Public Interests,
even one third OF which sum has for a
quarter Of century been withheld from
me, suppose the intention is TO reward
the new official with q salary by the side OF
which mine is absolutely niggardly.
appeal To the people and ask them to
stand by a long-tried public servant. With
them is the source Of all power, and by
their decision / will stand or fall.
Very respectfully.