Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1898-04-27
4 LETTER FROM THE
CITY BY THE SEA.
The Movement for Cheaper Electric
lights for the City
LIKELY TO BE lHTAGOHIzED BY POLITICIANS.
CONGRESSMAN GARDNER's wARLIKE EN-
THUsIAsM REACHES FEVER HEAT-AN
AFFECTING PARTING PERHAPs-PERsoNAL
POLITICS.

lights is a movement in the right direc-
ton and they deserve the thanks of the
taxpayers for their honest efforts to
reduce the exorbitant prices paid for
lights. But warn Messrs. Kelley, and
all Others who stand up for the interest
of cheaper and better government for
this city, that they will have to stand
up and fight for every inch of reform
they propose. There is in this town an
gang of men who are out for
the purpose of getting money, and 80
far they have met with very little oppo-
sition in getting it. Occasionally a
spasm of economy would seize Council
but it was usually short-lived and re-
suited in the old order to go ahead and
not bother about prices. Sometimes a
halt has been obtained for few weeks,
but only to result in the old order to go
ahead. That q responsible company
offers to light the city for thousands OF
dollars less than the present one tells it
own story. The old company has the
plant, wires and poles all at hand. The
new. company must provide all this
before they can hope to earn q dollar.
The new company and the people who
think the old gang is going to submit
without a fight, make mis-
take. They will contest every inch OF
ground and by every means in their
power try to paralyze the efforts of
Messrs. Kelley and Company in the good
work. If all other plans fail then
certiorari's may be expected. In fact
that has already been threatened. The
latter usually brings matters around all
right for the leeches who are fastened on
to the city and hold ON like grim death,
get more time to exert their diplomatic
qualities in a wonderful manner. If the
fellows in the Cabinet, Sagasta could
take rest with the assurance that the
Yankee pigs" as they call us, would be
licked out of their boots or made to
stand up on their hind feet and whine.
The people have seen SO many spasmodic
efforts toward reform, some OF which
seemed to promise well, finally go down,
that they expect nothing else nowadays.
Until the late election for Mayor it
became fixed fact that there vas
nothing 60 potent as the simple promise
of q gOodly amount of the "long green"
commonly called "pork" by me. They
had the price of water piled on, until q
general howl went up and then came
those dear little water meters to calm
their walls. As for the former owners of
the water plants; while history won't be
apt to carry one into rapturous praises
of their great generosity, yet it must be
said that it took one of our diplomatic
contractors, whose fertile brain is always
active, to suggest the water meter aud
if it is true as one hears that q con-
troversy is now going on over the distri-
button or rather over the non-distribu-
ton of the 'long green" then fun may
be expected. Mr.. Kelley and his col
legues have my best wishes and l most
saving a few thousand dollars to the
already over burdened taxpayers. But
am weak enough to fear the display OF
the s'long green" will make their efforts
futile for already we hear that the city
wants to own the electric plant. No, no,
no thousand times no. The city has
stood up SO far under burden of COM
missions and in Heavens name don't
pile on any more for if the price of light
increased as did the price Of water every
body would have to go to bed in the
dark. Better unload the costly commits
sions, who so far have proven an ex-
pensive luxury and are mostly noted for
getting us into expensive law suits while
some of them enjoy comfortable salaries
for their trouble. Better get clear of the
water plant as soon as possible and get
somebody to give us cheaper water as
the Woods did with all their failings.
The politicians are very quiet. They
are awaiting to see if the Governor is
going to accept Congressman Gardner's
offer to go into the field. They don't
know what to make of this "new depar-
suited as body. Lieut.. General Albert
son and the Bishop OF Absecon, were the
only ones to whom the fighting Con-
gresham made known his intention of
going at the Spaniards. tits said they ad-
vised against it until they found that the
fighting blood of the man was away up
above the boiling point and after he bad
solemnly promised them to come back
and make some appointments upon
which their hearts are set they re-
luctuantly consented. And then came q
parting scene my pen fails to describe.
There were tears and groans, and prom
ises made to be good and tell no more
lies, until the war was ended and they
were again united as of old-to resume
business at the old stand and parcel out
as in the good old days
before that migrate Judge Thompson
deceived them and laid 'em out 80 that
they have never known since that black
Tuesday just where they was .'at." But
they determined to trust in Providence
and read the new Testament.
George Long seems as happy as ever,
his committee duties are not laborious,
and be is taking lessons how to do it
himself the next time.
Lew" Scott looks sad but is well
satisfied that it was all for the best and
he has got it ''laid up" for some people
that don't do just as he says. As his
mind goes back to the last convention
and runs on down to the last election
the old sad look returne, and it is feared,
that he too will offer his services to the
Government. And then what will the
old Brigade do for they are too smart to
take any chances of being shot.
Well. the future will tell. You see
was right about the war after all-it is
upon US at last-and the warlike appear
ance of our boys and their readiness to
go shows how they are built. / am
going with them, perhaps, 80 don't be
surprised if my next letter is dated Camp
Cuba. Division Of the Gulf, Country oi
Gomez, etc.
ARGUS.
TO Cure Constipation Forever.
n