The sun., 1891-06-09
A Revolution TO Begin In Massachusetts,

called Municipal Lighting act. Tho cities
and towns complying with the prescribed
conditions will have the power to supply gas
aud electricity to their Inhabitants. For
two or three years the proposition that cities
and towns should bc enabled to construct
gns works and electric plants OF their own,
has been under consideration: and now the
persistent agitation In Its favor has sue.
cecded. In terms the act Is confined to gas
and electricity for lighting purposes only.
In seckiug the opinion OF the Supreme Court
OF the state as 10 the constitutionnlity OF
the proposed legislation, the Legislature re-
strictod Its Inqully 10 the subject of light
ing. 1t seems obvious. however, that II tho
municipality may supply gas and electricity
for lighting. it may supply thom for any
legitimate purpose for which they may be
used. The municipality at least will not In
qulre to what use q consumer puts the gus
or electricity. Il will be as anxious as a
private corporation to dispose Of as much as
possible of the product Of Its plant. The gas
and electric corporations may test the con-
stltutionalty OF the act on this point. but
there seems to be little in It. Tho present
Legislature cvi iently regards the supplying
by towns and cities OF Eas and electricity
for power ns proper and constitutional
function OF tho municipality. for the House
has passed and the Senate will pass a bill
lcgaliz'ng the action OF the town OF Dauvers
In constructing electric light works; and this
bill authorizes the manufacture and supply
Of electric power as well as light. Tn effect,
II not in terms Massachusetts, towns and
cities are authorized to supply gas and cleo
trici,y for a!I uses public and private.
The Massachusetts, Legislature seems to
have been conscious that law empowering
municipalities to assume functions 30 far
transrending tho ordinary limits Of munici-
PM activity In this country, should not
be taken advantage OF too easily. Towns
may proceed under the net when two sue.
cessve town meetings, the second Of which
shall be he'd within not less than two nor
more than thirteen months after tho first,
shall have so decided by twc-thirds vote. II
a two-thirtls vote Ia not obtained at the sec-
ond meeting. another vote cannot be had
within two years. In the case OF cities n
two.thirds vote OF each branch OF the City
Council. approval by the Mayor. is re-
qured for two consecutive years; and this
vote OF the Council must be confirmed by
ipal election. II popular majority
not be submitted to the people
again for i've years. The cost Of con-
struction or enlargement OF municipal gas
and electric plants IL to be betrayed by the
issue OF s per cent. thirty-year bonds to an
amount not exceeding q per cent. OF the
assessed valuation of the town or city.
Money may be borrowed for operating ex-
penses. These, depreciation OF plant. interest,
and the annual contribution to the sinking
fund for the redemption Of the bonds at
maturity. must be included in the annual
Appropriation bills. The cost OF construc-
ton and maintenance will be assessed upon
owners or occupants OF real estate. Pay
ment IL assessments is made voluntary, but
gas and electricity will he supplied only up
on payment. A manager, appointed and re-
movable by the Seectmen or the Mayor, will
have entire control OF tho plant and all busl-
ness connected Herewith. The price OF gas
and electricity cannot he put below cast,
save by permission OF the gas and electric
light commissioners. and shall not be
changed oTtcner than once In three months.
The city or town shall pay only cost price
for gas and electricity used by itself. In no
case Is the profit upon tho investment to ex-
cced 4 per cent.
On account OF the large amount OF capital
invested in private corporations for the sup
ply Of gas and electricity, the provisions in
regard to the purchase Of private plants Rre
OF special interest. A city or town which has
been authorized to establish plant, shall
before proceeding tn do 1t, purchase at q
fair price only no plant OF private parties
engaged In furnishing gas or electricity, or
both. within the limits OF such city or town,
provided the owners choose to sell:
"Ths earning ca aoy OF tho plant, based upon its
ae'ua earnings NJ the time "f the nnal to estsb
i,sa plant Ia 10 form an tieus, "i value also any
10 Ai"ns "r similar titht> acquired FROM private per
sons plus the damages suffered by the severance of
anr portion OF such pIanta lying ontsde Of the limits
nni minus the amount OF any mortgage or any ofss
snrnubrauce or rn IN which the plant be subjsct
Thers eau bc no enhancement In value on nc
ronnt OF intire sarning caparitY good will or of
exclusive privileges derived from rights In the nnblIc
Within THE limits OF tho city town. then only suc
portion as lies wi!hn he limits shall be purchased"
In case OF n failure to agree upon terms,
either party may appeal to the Supreme
Court, which shall appoipt a commissioner
or commissioners to appraise the plant and
appeal may bo had from the commissioner
to the court whose decree shall be tiual. |
Existing plants not purchased cannot be |
for damages arising from the |
of plants under the act.
We have given the main provisions OF this
act because the experiment upon which |
is entering is Of hi0h i'm
oortance. and may have far-reaching con-
sequences. It step toward the Bellamy-
zatlon OF municipal government. an ac-
'eptaDce the mora dangerous because 1t has
no reference to the doctrines OF the Natlon-
llists or the Socialists. We are aware that q
yreat number OF estimable and Intelligent,
nut not severely logical, persons favor sort
II restricted socialism. They believe that
,ities should supply gas aud electricity and
,erhaps operate street railroads and tele-
,hone lines. These persons would object to
70 described as Socialists. but that Is what
hey are. When you once commit yourself
o the principle that the municipality shall