The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-19
THE ELECTRIC PLANT.

The views Of THE TIMES with reference TO
the establishment by the city Of an electric
plant of It's own are well known 10 the people
of Richmond. We have every reason to be-
lieve that we voice the opinion Of a very large
majority in our opposition to the project now
under advisement TO perpetuate IN another
form the present gas monopoly. IL Is only
necessary 10 enumerate in the briefest outline
the grounds for the position whichwe have
taken.
Necessarily n city electric plant would eX-
cludc all legitimate competition on the part of
private companies, whose interest 1t would be
10 reduce their charges to the lowest point IN
order TO secure the preference. The conse-
oucnce Is. that we would be left at the mercy
of the municipal corporation. which would
proceed TO mulct our househOlders with the
freedom which il has shown in the instance
of gas. offering in explanation Of its action the
excuse that tie income obtained for the city
from this source lowers the tax-rate.
BY parity of reason. the city ought to take
possession Of the markets. and thus add 50
much TO the surplus in the treasury that our
people would be wholly relieved Of every KIND
of direct city taxation. If the municipal cor
poration can secure large income in excess
of all expenses from its own gas or electric
light works, why not raise the charges to such
degree as to do away with the city tax-saih-
ercr altogether? This extreme is Just rs lesit-
innate an application Of the principle as that
which we now observe in the instance of the
eas-works. If the city is allowed to accunu-
l.te surplus Of twenty-five thousand dollars
from these works, why should it not be per-
mited to accumulate AN hundred thousand or
two hundred thousand? 1t has as much right
10 do the one as the other.
Are the people Of Richmond prepared TO
perpctuate so questionable a system as this by
establishing electric light works to take the
place of the present gas works? There is no
reason whatever 10 believe that they are.
When the resolution to report an ordinance
granting the franchise sought by the Traylor
Electric Light Company came up at the last
meeting of the Street Committee 1t was
adopted by a vote of five to four, which IL a
very fair indication Of the public feeling with
reference to throwing open the city TO com
peting electric light companies.
The experience which the people Of Rich
mond have had in the matter Of gas has very
naturally and properly aroused their opposi-
ton to any further control by the city over
this question of light. The dissatisfaction
which the gas monopoly caused was lncreas-
ing so rapidly that our house-holders
would not have long endured the excessive
charges which they are still compelled 10 pay
if they had not anticipated relief by the intro
duction Of electric lights. To have imposed
upon them the same indirect tax by the fact
that the city will establish an electric plant Of
its own, not for the purpose Of administering
10 the convenience Of the people, but OF re-
tanning the present surplus from the gas
works. this is sufficient in itself TO arouse
feeling Of the strongest hostility TO the propo-
sition that the city monopoly in gas shall be
succeeded by II city monopoly in electric light.
If this hostility had no sounder basis 10 rest
on than the political character of the proposed
works, that would be ample justification in IT.
self. There is widespread impression IN the
community that there are political influences
TO be perpetuated and enlarged 10y the estab-
interests Of the people rs a whole demand
shall be restrained, and if possible be elimina-
ted. 1t is generally recognized 10 be- a step
that will lead to the formation of q circle of
unnecessary officc-holders whose usefulness
will in a large measure consist in what they
contribute in the way Of partizan service.
OF nothing should our people be more ieal-
ous than of every proposition that looks 10 an
increase in the number of municipal Office
holders for as acity grows in population,
there * always a tendency towards concen-
tration of official power which Is inimcali TO
the general welfare of the community
However considered, the establishment of
an electric plant TO be owned 10y the city, Is
open to the gravest question. Every as
pect Of the proposition is such rs should make
those in charge of our city affairs proceed
with hesitation and caution in the extreme.
They may rely upon it that the TINES, which
is supporting only what it conceve@ 10 be the
best interests of this community without fear
Of criticism and without anticipation OF te-
ward, represents the sound and conservative
feeling of orr people in the opposition which
il has expressed To the further extension of
the spirit Of municipal monopoly. The true
Democratic principle is To throw open the
field to competing electric light companies in
stead of creating q new monopoly which will
only sustain an additional number Of party
workers. and raise the cost of living to every
householder.