The supply of Gal — the Candie Trads.
Our citizens yesterday experienced the first real annoyance resulting from a limited supply of gas. The heavy clouds overhung us like a pall, and it was with some difficulty that persons whose houses are well furnished with
window glass, could discern surrounding objects with sufficient clearness to pursue their ordinary avocations.
Much more so was this the case in the large stores, where light is only admitted through the front windows and doubtful skylights; and in dingy offices, where the architect seems to have endeavored to imitate the peculiar features of a
Lapland hut in omitting windows altogether.
The Superintendent of the Gas Works, for reasons which have been heretofore explained, has given orders that the gas shall be turned off from eight o'clock in the morning to four in the evening. To show how necessary was this action, at a period when the supply of gas is short, we may state that the quantity consumed on Friday last,
in the day-time, amounted to 35,000 feet; and it is quite plain that if this had been allowed to continue for any length of time, it would have exhausted the resources, and placed our citizens entirely at the mercy of the candle sellers.
Indeed, we regret to state that no sooner had the impression got abroad that the supply of gas was slowly, but surely, giving out, than the prices of candles commenced to advance; and housekeepers are even now considering whether it will not be well to invest all their surplus means in ‘"tallow dips,"’ ere there shall be from gas ‘"no light, but only darkness visible."’ This is an illustration of the spirit of extortion which seems to have gotten possession of the very souls of men. There is no reason for the advance in the price of candles, and we advise the people against encouraging it by making an unusual demand; there is no reason for it, because there is no sort of danger of the supply of gas becoming exhausted.
We learn from
Mr. Fry, the
Superintendent, that the defects in the Gas Works are nearly remedied by the construction of new retorts, and that the tiles, which were so difficult to obtain, have been manufactured at the
South, and have got as far as
Wilmington on the way to
Richmond.
It may be proper to add, that he made arrangements in August last for procuring these articles, but has not until lately been able to have them transported.
They will be here in a day or two, and it is probable that even the inconvenience of having the gas turned off in the morning will last for a brief period only.
We hope this statement will relieve the public mind, while it certainly removes the only plea for extortion in an article of household necessity.
