The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-04-04


chooses, and pass the appropriation for that
speedily. There is not even the poor argu-
ment for the Senate bill that Lincoln has no
memorial, (as is the case, for instance, with
Lafaye,te.) Reference need only be made TO
the statue of him in front OF the old City Hall,
reared by the gratitude of the colored race,
the Emancipation group in Lincoln Park,
the Winnie Ream statue, besides several
busts and oil paintings, in the Capitol, the
grand mausoleum at Springfield and statues
and memorials almost innumerable through.
out the country. 1t may be said these are
not artistic, but would the Senate's proposed
work be more SOL
The gas question continues TO attract much
attention both in Congress and among our
citizens. 1t is to be regretted that so few
appear able to discuss this important subject
without heat or prejudice. And in this con-
nection we confess we owe an apology to
Messrs. Bujac and Boogher for the harsh
terms in which we referred to their bill some
weeks ago. 1t Is not fair to assume that
every one seeking an act of Incorporation is
actuated by unworthy motives, and we are
informed that the incorporators named in
the case referred to are reputable and re.
sponsible men. This. however, does not
alter the conviction this journal has for
years entertained OF the unwisdom of incor.
porating new companies with powers to tear
up our concrsted streets, lay gas.mains, and
compete in supplying light with company
which Congress has already absolute power
faults which exist lies in the regulation and
not in creating competition between cor
porations which unvarying experience shows
will sooner or later prove a delusiou, and
end in combination and fresh mulcting of
the consumer. The position taken by the
Commissioners in this matter is incontro-
vertible. Opinions may differ as to the
quality and illuminating power of the gas,
but it should be remembered that our data
on this subject are obtained through an Of
fcer of the United States who is constantly
engaged in the work of analysis and inspec.
ton. And it should not be forgotten that the
candle-power standard seems to be a variable
one, and that our seventeen-candle power
is about equal to twenty candle pow er in
New York. We have never been able to
see the propriety Of prohibiting the use OF
petrolem or any other materials in the manu-.
facture of gas. The point is to insist upon
proper quality and a reasonable price, and
secure those by the rigid supervision of a
responsible Government officer under such
terms as Congress may prescribe. Nothing
will be gained by duplicating plants and
mains. Inventors will doubtless discover
means by which gas can be greatly cheap
ened, but any really valuabledevices will be
worth more to the existing company than to
any one else. There is one mode of relief
which seems to have been entirely over
looked during the current discussion. This
is the acquisition of the plant by the Dis
| trict government, measure which We long
ago advocated as the only true permanent
solution. Every municipality ought to
have in its own hands the furnishing of such
prime necessaries as water and light. Then
any excess of the price over the cost of pro-
duction goes into the common treasury, and,
affords one of the simplest and most equi-
table means of raising a portion of the reve-
nue. needed by the city.
Soma months ago VIZ callad attention IN
the assertions of Chief Engineer Baker de.
| claring that the work of the Steam Engineer
ing Department of thu Washington Navy
Yark was superior in quality and quite as
cheap as that turned out in any private es
tablishments. We have since in some elabo
rate and carefully prepared articles showr
that both the engineering and ordnance work
of this yard is OF superior kind, and that the
plant of the Washington Navy Yard, as fal
as 1t goes, is very good and ssrviceable one
The Republican has since done excellent worl
by taking up the subject and giving fresl
| illustrations of the value and efficiency Of oul
Navy Yard. Last week 1t said editorially
| Az evidence OF progressiveness and the superlo
quality OF work done at the Washington Navy Yard
It may be mentioned that the boilers Of the Unite
States Steamer Nipsic, constructed at this yard
were among the first marine boilers made In thi
country OF the open hearth or mild steel, the mate
rial which Is now 30 extensively used In the manu-
facture OF ships, boilers, and other purposes TO
| which iron was formerly altogether employed.
was the strong advocacy of mild steel by the Inc
chanics of this yard, VINO had thoroughly tested 1t Il
| every possible manner, that induced the Navy DE
partment to adopt It, and the result has vindcate
the soundness Of their judgment. The Nipsic, durln
cruise Of over three years. had not cent expende
for repairs on her boilers unprecedented record
Quite recently the Enterprise, another vessel last III
ted out at the Washington Yard, and supplied witt
mild steel boilers built there, has returned from
three-and-ahalf-years' cruise, having In that tim
circumnavlgated the globe. and on Inspection she |
| found prepared to make another crnse without an
extensive repairs being made. The best boiler
anoat to-day came out OF the Washington Nav
Yard.
The Influences always in operation among
political demagogues to take work ava,
from Washington to give 1t to some othe
community are so strong that tho press an'
people of this city need 10 bs always on tn
alert 10 defend their interests. Washington
Ia the best place to manufacture heavy ord
nance and marine engines for the Navy, am
the plant here should bs enlarged and i'm
proved. Yet We shall be lucky, aud shal
owe it to the vigilance Of journals like Tn
SUNDAY HERALD and Republican, II all or par
of the work ID not taken away ffom US.
CIVILIZATION ID on the increase. ApTil FOO!
| Day was very little observed this year.
HISTORIAN LOGAN Ia charged with showing som
resentment toward Historian Blaine Well II u a
old proyerb that "TwO OF trade did never agree.
RECENT revelations about the New York Board {
Aldermen call TO mind that this IL the honorasl
body that tried 10 regulate the diplomatic relation
OF this country with England and demanded III
removal OF Minister Lowell.