The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-06-15
MORE LIGHT.
A Correspondent Again Gives His views
on the Subject.

on Nie ouhJttts
Ed HERALD: By your kind permission I
am again persuaded to draw the attention of
your readers to the subject Of electric light
ing l want to state, in the first place, that
have no interest in the old companies nor the
one for which a charter was recently granted.
Having no personal feelings in the matter,
am therefore in a position to consider the
question in its broader sense, and from the
standpoint of "the greatest good to the
greatest number" Individual interests,
personal piquc or disappointments should
mover enter discussion Of public moment,
for the public has rights that must be re-
speoted, the ambitions Of certain individuals
TO the contrary notwithstanding.
After perusng the proceedings Of the
Borough Council at which representatives OF
both the old and the new companies ap-
peared and presented their side of the case
one is led to believe there is considerable
buncombc in the makeup Of the projectors Of
the new company. The legal representa-
tive Of the latter, at the first meeting, was
dOcie, kind and Cousiderate; stipulahons
the Borough Council demanded would will
iugly be accedod to; the new company or its
representatives, would sign any kind Of
bond for any amount, guaranteeing TO fur
nish a better and cheaper light than that
would be no consolidation. All they asked
was that the contract be left open tfor how
long he did not say but if Council did not
see It's way clear to do that, then TO grant
them the right of way to erect poles and
wire the town.
How different was the position of this
representative at the subsequent meeting
bond was presented, and they refused to sign
it, They acknowledged that they could not
furnish a better light, and to clap the
climax the Councimen, representatives of
the people, were roundly abused--for what?
Because, perhaps, they all did not look upon
the scheme with the same favor rs those who
are ON the ground floor and who are seeking
to use the Councimen as club to get even
with the old company. At a subsequent
meeting, the daily press tells us, these re-
formers bring to their aid two silk mill men
from Freelaud to plead their waning cause,
under the guise that they intend erecting a
plant here, provided, mark you, the new
electric light company is given the contract
to light the streets and the right of way
! can easily imagine the thoughts that
passed through the minds of our Borough
: Fathers, after listening to a proposition OF
that kind. With two other electric light
companies already established here, the lOca-
lion of a silk mill is contingent upon the
establishment Of still another! Truly, the
promoters of the new company and the
foreign silk "weavers'' must imagine the
average Councilman is endowed with very
little common sense. 1t is two to one that
the people of Shenandoah will never hear
any more Of this silk project. If they were
sincere, they would not make such laugh
able spectacle of themselves, knowing full
well that they can secure all the power they
desire without waiting for the establishment
of another electric light plant 1t is wonder
to me- Mr. Editor, why the new meat market
and the hundred and one side issues contin-
j gent upon this brilliant and illuminant
scheme" did not also appear before Council
and lend eirassistance.
Now take the other side, that of the old
company, which is a reality and is at present
lighting our streets in a better manner than
any other borough of the state, excepting
none. Their representatives attend the
Council meeting without any blow or buster,
, make no promises they cannot faithfully and
honestly carry cut, present their proposition
in black and white and then retire When
one looks at the position Of these late-date
relormers, it is enough to make Boss Tweed
turn in his grave with envy. They want
the contract deferred until they are in
position TO bid for the street lighting-and
they themselves cannot say when that will
be-prObahly six months or year hence.
IN the meantime the borough will be losing
money merely To satisfy one or two residents
of the town The Councilman who favors a
proposition of that kind will violate the
trust imposed in him by his constituents
do not think many OF them will dare face
their constituents again if they submit to
these thoughtless sentimentalsts.
1t can be truthfully said of our Council
"a a. .p,I1 Al H.
interests of the people in the past, and there
is no reason to believe that they will be
found wanting in this instance. There is a
wide difference between competition and inn
position.
There is another phase of the question that
, is probably overlooked by the majority of
the people Among those who are stock
holders in the present companies, are NUM-
bercd many of our leading and progressive
citizens; who have made Shenandoah what
it is to-day, aud are here to remain; who can
not pack their grips and remove to New
York rs the whim strikes them. They may
not have built palaces and halls of com
mcrce" but they invested their hard earned
cash i'm those investments as much in the
interest Of the towns prosperity as that Of
. their own personal gain. Is it right and just
; that these industries should be crippled to
There is still another class of investors
that should not be overlooked. ] refer to
the many orphans ana widows who have in
J, vested their money in the present company
with the idea that it was q safe investment
and that they would receive just protection
While others may be able to erect electric
light plants at will to get even with some
people " the widow and the orphan, in many
cases, are dependent upon the small stipend
derived from their investment for a liyeli-
hood If this is taken away, together with
the principle, in this war of determination,
the burden will fall heavy upon them.
There are times when the duties Of the
Councilmen require them in the interest Of
the towns prosperity, to go against popular
sentiment But in this instance, so far as
am able to ascertain, public sentiment is
4. against the warriors bold" who have in
augurated this war Of determination
Pro BONo PUBLICO.
Shenandoah June 49, 1897.
had severe attacks Of gravel and kidney
trouble; and unable to get a medicine or
doctor TO cure me until l used Hop Bitters,