The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-01-08
THE LIGHTS.

Some of The Republics readers may
think there has been cxa@=oratiou of cN-
preston IN its references 10 the public
light question. That there has not been
III The slightest degree. -. Louis is III
most extreme peril.
Consider the situation in those public
institutions where cual-oiI lamps and
candles have ROW been in use Tor 4
whole week. In Two instances. III tie
i~oorhou>e and at the Female Hospital,
Iiiirln and helpless charges upon uur
charity are constantly confronted with
grave danger of Il destructive c~onfiagrI-
ilon. IL Will bc good fortune and moth
lnS else II This city is not awakened IL
- Consciousness Of the outrage it is sub
hitting TO by an awful holocaust.
Is there :,U@ht of cNaggcratiuu III this
presentation of }hc danger 10 our clcc-
aoSynIry institutions in view of the
fact that within the week a ,"aioll
lamp WAS overturned in one uf the rn-
Gln"-houSeS Of the Fire Department and
4 destructive fire WAS prevented with
difficulty. Notwithstanding the lamp fell
III the very midst of a group TT tirVuien:
The grave dangers accompanying ia"
effort To light @rUa; public buildings.
filled with sick and aged inmates. 10y
lamps and candles. cannor lie 100 scri-
ously regarded. They are real aud
must remain imminent until some safer
method of lighting the public inS!itu-
lions is provided. II strong words in
these columns can help to put All end Ii
this intolerable situation rhe Republic
VIII not care if some who read them
think the picture they paint j. over
drawn.
The condition Of affairs is of such ma
ture that The obstructioBiSts in the Mu-
nicipal Assembly need not imagine they
can escape the severe personal RESPONSE
bility to which the people will hold
them, by a pretended effort To save the
city from the clutches of i monopoly.
Their professions now ara contrldict,d
Icy their acts and their votes when I!l,.
Icn-yc;tr li.htiD: bills were dragging
their tedious course through th! malls of
legislation. The same Delegates and
tuuncilmrn were then bending every
effort 10 produce Il situation which
would make MONOPOLY a possibility.
What their precise purposes We're then
and what They are 10Y The l;cUuhmc
cannot say, but il can SAY They were
manifestly malisn, i~ndisputably iniiuicul
TO the public interest.
PratHE about the installation of gen
GRAZING plants in connection with Ger
tain public buildings. 81 that the city
can make its own light. is the Y~rricst
sham conceivable. 1t is II Valtry pre-
tense that public interest is TO be con
suited. These Isolated plants would
furnish light cheaper than amy public
station Mill supply il. but there are Nv"
~inSuperable difficulties in the way. The
"ity cannot spare TIE. money {" put up
the plants and cannot wait for their
erection.
This is not the time to discuss theories
Of economy. The Municipal Assembly
must le"islate for she existing emerGen-
cy first and then it can discuss the
policy IF erecting generating stations
of it's own for the lighting of he public
buildings. Let the City Hall gang un-
! dcTstand that tie people see through
! their prctcnSes and demand immediate
and honest action. They must pass &
temporary lighting bill as fast as the
legislative mill can grind i, out, or every
man at fault will he brought 10 a swift
and severe recount.
If necessary every honest citizen Will
make an engagement 10 call at the City
Hall on the same day and the hang
| mans rope will 80 with them.