The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1891-04-02
MOONLIGHT soHnDuLNq NIX.

twill be seen by the report of
the proceedings Of the board of
aldermen that there is a probability
of the city going back to the moon
light ch.sdnle" of electric lighting.
The Citizen believes that AshevilIe
has outgrow N that sort of thing
that no more attention should be
paid to the moon in making city
contracts than to Mars or the milky
way. The moon is tickle thing at
best; not thoroughly tanned and
having no idea whatever of the re-
sponsibility of a contract. There
cannot be too much light for any one
who has to make his way through
the heights and depths of the present
mud holes and if the moon wants to
help electricity a little, all right ;
but as for depending on her that's
out Of the question.
No more moonlight schedules"
for Asheville. They are out of
date, belonging entirely to the dark
agcs.-Asheville Citizen.
Why bless your soul, honey,
Winston has never had anything
but a moon schedule. The clouds
may be as thick as those that
overshadowed Egypt, and the
rain may be pouring down in
torrents, but if Blum's almanac
says the moon is up that settles
it. The people of our twin
towns may run up against brick
walls in the night time, fall in mud
holes, or suffer any inconveni-
ence, but it does not matter; we
are running on a moon schedule,
and it is only four thousand dol
lars year we are paying for it.
When the people of our town
sold their electric light system
they did a bad days work. If
we are not mistaken, and we do
not think we are, the plant, in
Guiding a valuable franchise, was
sacrificed at 500, 900, and at the
time of the sale the city was
paying $4,000 for street lights
and our citizens were paying
about $4,000 for incandescent
lights; a total of 81, 900 or near
about 33 per cent on the pur-
chase money.
We suppose the gross income
for lights now will reach between
eighteen and twenty thousand
dollars annually. This of course
is a very good thing, but it is
nothing in comparison with what
this electric light plant will be
worth. Think of the privileges
this electric light company has
here. It's franchise gives it the
sole right of lighting this town
no other company can establish
a plant here for gas or any other
illumination. 1t is take what
you are offered by the present
company, pay your bills, and ask
no questions. 1t is q pretty val
liable monopoly, and one that is
growing all the time, and it
would be well for us if, while
we are giving it all the protection
and support right would demand
or reason accord, we should
see to it that it does not, octopus
like, throw it's arms around every
other interest and subordinate
to itself the most powerful in
fuences in our city.
We are in sympathy with any
corporation that operates III Its
legitimate fields of labor in the
interest of the communities in
which it exists, and in such
fields of labor we shall be ready
to render any help we can, but
we shall qualify our action by
the term legitimate. This paper.
belongs to Winston-Salem and
her people, andits efforts, at least
as long as we have anything to.
do with it, will be directed in
their behalf, and we trust it will
never fall..in to the hands of any
one who willprostitute it to any
other purpose.
WE WANT ONE.