The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-12
To the Editor of the Press:

To the Editor OF the Press:
Electric light is very good street light when
we get it but at present dependence cannot be
placed upon tand scolding about it is perfectly In
order
Tuesday night last a very cloud and dark
night with sidewalks and streets in a very Slip
perry and dangerous condition, no electric lights
put in an appearance in the western part of the
city until the clock struck eight Then again on
Thursday night, another dark and cloudy night,
no electric light appeared until ten O'Clock: The
gas burners having been removed from the gas
lanterns they could not be lighted. Consequently
many parts OF the city were in darkness which
could be nearly felt.
No doubt our worthy chairman on street light
ing is doing all he. can to have the
thing remedied. The mistake made by him, in
the Judgment of many of our citizens, was in Civ
ing orders to have the gas burners removed from
the lanterns and in some cases the lanterns them
selves removed, and l have been told in other
The electric light IS not perfected as yet, at
any rate in this vicinity and until it is and the
the gas lights should remain intact, with
Instructions for some one to light them when
the electric lights fall to be lighted in time, or
tendant expense should be paid by the Electric
Light Company. - I
Portland Dec. 10, 1885.
To the Editor of the Press:
After the experience that many of us had last
evening on account of the failure of the electric
really seems desirable to call attention to the
matter The city is said to be paying $50, 900
year under the contract with the Electric Light
Company, by the conditions of which all our
streets were to be lighted from dark until day
light. All the streets were to be lighted, not
portions of them, and the lights were to be burn
ing from dark till daylight after October 1st The
company plotessed to be able to comply with
these conditions, and other lights have been
abandoned The contract is not fulfilled. The
carbons are in many cases not lighted till after
dark and go out or are extinguished long before
daylight, not to speak of the many cases where
irregular burning at various hours exists. Not
night passes without some of the streets being
left in darkness, to the danger and inconvenience
of our citizens The city is liable to be called on
for damages in cases of accidents in such condi-
ton of affairs. The company claim, it is under
Stood that various experiments are necessary to
secure good results. Such experiments should
have been made before the contract was put in
force. Our taxpayers are willing to pay for light,
but not for experiments that result in darkness,
and not dollar should be paid under such an un-
satisfactory condition of affairs. If $4,000 year
is to be added to our taxes let US have some bene
fit from it.
A former correspondent suggested that the
night police note the failures in light and report
them at the station each morning. Nothing Of
this kind has been done. Will not some member
of the City Government call the matter up, and at
least give us information of the real state of
affairs. r.
Portland Dec. 18th.