Evening journal., 1902-05-26
THE GATHERING DARKNESS

THE GATHERING DARKNESS
Recently we have refrained from dis
cussing the matter OF street lighting,
feeling that by so doing we should
avoid a trcsome topic. and earn the
public gratitude. Now, however, it
seems desirable TO make certain obser-
vations which we think are pertinent
at this time.
In the first place. when the Wells
bach contract was turned down and
new bids were asked. we felt that the
period OF uncertainty and delay had
passed We had a reason TO suppose
that when the bids were opened, some
one concern would be awarded the
contract. and that we should be able
to close that chapter Vain delusion.
A trip to Baltimore was taken TO ex-
anime a certain light The directors
were not impressed, but after thinking
about il for day or two, decided that
their first impression might have been
erroneous. Then some brilliant mind
conceived the idea of placing the
lamps of the contesting bidders in
front of the Opera House. inviting the
passing throng to note the points OF
uinerence and the excellences of each.
IL occurs 10 the average man that If n
contract is TO depend on tho showing
made by those sample lights, the
Opera House will be brilliantly illu-
mined for q time.
But the delay has revived the project
of having the city lighted exclusively
by electric lamps OF course the notice
under which the bids were made called
for gas lamps. hut now the directors
are urged to set the bids aside and call
for new deal. letting in the electric
lighting concern. From a certain
standpoint this may be regarded as an
excellent idea since it would probably
involve another lawsuit, and this
would increase the interest Now we
have gotten back to the starting point,
and may have all our fun over again.
OF course our people want the dual sys-
tenn OF lighting, and since they have
had demonstration of the worth OF
the welsbach lamps under the most
trying circumstances, they win insist
on a system which includes a certain
number Of gas lamps.
We are surprised at the attitude cer-
tain newspapers are taking in this con-
troversy When the directors were IA
voring awarding the contract to the
Wolsbach Company the Sunday Star
began its course of vilihcation, and
went as far in this course as possible,
while saving itself from libel proceed
ings Now it is in favor of new bids
that will allow the electric lighting
concern TO secure the contract, and It's
fattery of the directors suddenly be-
comes subtle. but fulsome. Now there
has been no occasion for questioning
the integrity of the directors, but theli
conduct throughout shows poor judg
ment and a lack of dependence on
their own opinions. The Star informs
its readers that while il is anxious tina
the city should pay for the excellen
service already rendered by the Wells.
bach Company yet there are legal OBJ
iections in the way. Well, that mean
another lawsuit and over the question
OF whether the city of Wilmington
shall pay for what she has used w
10 not presume that the Stars anxiet
to see this bill paid, even under du
form Of law. is overwhelming.
Meanwhile the people understand th;
back Of all this endless jugglery is
selnshness that exerts itself in a thol
sand ways. The Evening Journal h5
no interests to serve save those of Il
public. We have spoken as We though
and are yet Of the opinion that it
TO be regretted that the directo
hadn't tho backbone to stand by the
original decision of awarding d
Welsbaoh Company the amended co
tract. The matter was in their hant
and could have been closed up in she
order Now-well, nobody kno
where we stand. or what the end W
be- But We must not forget that {
Welsbach Company has not played
last card, and it may be a trump