Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-06
ELECTRIC SYSTEM FOR FRANKLIN
Tho Council Deoiies Upon Owning Its
Own Plant-The First Issue OF Bonds.

CORES ondence Of tho Richmond Dispatchl
FRASKLiS. Va. October 3.-The Town
Council decided last night at its regular
meeting 10 establish an eectric-light sys-
TEN ut this place. A plant Will be esiab-
llshei OF sufficient capacity to furnish arc
lights for the lighting of the streets Of the
town AMI the different manufacturing en-
tcrprlSes here. except the Camp Manutac-
turing Company Mills which company Is
putting IN an electric plant OF It's own. and
sutiiclent incandescent lights to supply all
the stores and public buildings and To u
limited extent oil the dwellings that de-
sire them. he pant Will be established
on the Land Of the Franklin Lumber Com
pany which company will furnish from its
boilers the Necessary steam 10 run the
electric apparatus and machinery.
NATURAL MONOPOLY.
The question of giving the franchise for
lighting the town TO some electric-light
company was discussed, but the Couacil
thought that the town ought 10 own its
own plant. this being one of the natural
mOnopolies" that the DisPATCH has had SO
much 10 say ABOUT. II i not yet decided
what system Of lighting VIII be adopted.
nor what manufacturing company Will fur
nish the necessary electric machinery and
apparatus. The town will borrow the
money Necessary to pay for the plant, this
being the first issue of bonds ever made
by the town. 1t at this time not owing q
cent and having "a surplus OF $3.50 IN the
town treasury.
SAFETY GATES.
Tn Council also requested the SeabOard
and EopnOke Railroad Company to put
safetv-gate- at its crossing III the town on
Naln street. 4 large number OF trains
pass tins point every day and there * more
crossing with vehicles at that point than
any other in the town. There Ii great
danger az the point and consequently the
request. The attention OF the Council
was particularly called to II 10y the fact
that recently in Portsmouth the Atlantic
and Danyllc railroad had been asked to
put similar election at certain point,
and before In As.ructIOn could be carried
into effect a man was killed by q passing
tram.
WEATHER SIGNALS.
weather signal bureau has been estab-
lishei mere. Reports are received from
Warrington twice daily. and as soon H. re-
cclved the necessary flags are displayed
from the ilag-pOle giving the information
contained IN the report. A pole IL located
near the SeabOard and Roanoke railroad
depot. i about twenty-five feet high, and
can be- seen from considerable distance.
The town paid for the flags and pole and
Mr. ". fl. Dabney. the Western Union ope-
rator who receives the reports, attends to
the displaying OF the flags. 1t is, of course. Of
interest to our people here, and it was IN
tended by thctown and those who secured
~ location here for the benefit OF the ag-
ricultural interests III the immediate vi
cInlty.
A gentleman from an electric-light CON-
pany in Baltimore Is here putting in an
electric-hght plant for the Camp Manu-
featuring Company. IL is solely for incau-
descent lights and will be used only for
the lighting OF the said company's mills
and other buildings.