NP, RD 4/2/1861

From the Richmond Dispatch
 
April 2, 1861
 
City Gas Works
   The annual election, as usual, brings out one or more new candidates for the Superintendency of this Institution, and each succeeding year they present new qualifications, which are to eclipse all those claimed for the unfortunate possessor of this much envied berth. The latest novelty, however, throws all others in the shade. Mr. Thos. R. Sharp has been called out by a card from several gentlemen, whose occupations and experience have evidently enabled them to speak positively, when they assert that, "knowing you to be a Mechanical and Civil Engineer. " "and well qualified in every respect to fill the office of Superintendent of the Gas Works," they wish these valuable qualities to be no longer hid in obscurity, but to develop themselves in lighting the city. But the beauty of this nomination is yet to be told. The principal ground upon which he is called out is that of being "a strong secessionist. " Can any one doubt that this is the qualification which induced the nomination? Or is it possible to doubt that this is the quality which will make him the most fit and proper person to fill the post in a satisfactory manner?
   With the works already built and in successful operation, there can be no need of a "Mechanical and Civil Engineer." These valuable qualities can find no proper field for their development and exercise in the management of our Gas Works. This has been abundantly demonstrated by the experience of the past two years, during which time, without being under the control of a Mechanical and Civil Engineer, they have, by the judicious and economical administration of the present incumbent, given the most gratifying results, and yielded a large income to the city. And there can be no doubt that, in their present condition, the Works only need a judicious administration of affairs, which can only be secured by familiarity with, and experience in, the mode of operations, and an acquaintance with the operatives now employed therein. And, we may add, that in the absence of any well founded complaints against the present management, it is at least unwise to make a change. And further, we would ask what security have the citizens, that if the gentleman who is now recommended so highly is elected, that there will be such an economical management as is to be desired? So far as we know of him he is a gentleman, and all who come in contact with him are favorably impressed. His reputation is unblemished, and his manners are affable and prepossessing, and we disclaim any intention to intimate aught against him. We have a right to know if a candidate for a place as this possesses, besides all the desirable qualities above named, the less showy, but not less useful qualification, of capacity for administration, and the talent for economical expenditure and management of finances. How far has the experience of those who have had their affairs administered by this gentleman, justified them in recommending him to the confidence of the people as one who can judiciously purchase for, and prudently attend to, the outlays for such an establishment? For without these valuable, but too much neglected qualities, the best Mechanical and Civil Engineer would make but a poor substitute for the gentleman who now quietly and modestly, but safely and prudently, manages this important department of our city's service.
   We presume, however, that the principal object of the gentlemen who have brought out Mr. Sharp, had less reference to his capacity as a manager than to his peculiar political principles, and their object is, doubtless, to unite upon him (if possible) the strength of those who favor the secession of Virginia. In this they have reckoned without their host. Although we have not taken sides with this party, and are not ashamed to say that we are willing to wait a little farther the developments of Lincoln's administration before we favor this move, yet we are free to admit, that the party now in our city who do favor prompt action on this subject at present numbers many of those who are most deeply interested in the welfare of our city, and who sincerely seek her best interests; and we are farther satisfied that they know, while the election of Mr. Sharp, as the secession candidate, would show their strength, and, all other things being equal, would be a triumph of which they would be proud, yet they are not willing to sacrifice the pecuniary interests of the city for such a triumph; and we know that many of them regard this as a most unsuitable occasion upon which to propose a test of their strength in this city. We are willing, however, to admit, that if there is to be a test, that no more suitable person could be selected as the standard-bearer of a secession party than this gentleman; and we honestly ask, if there is no fear among those who have nominated him that they have too much of a good thing? or, in other words, may he not be too much of a secessionist? If we have been correctly informed, the history of Mr. Sharp will confirm the statement that he has been a secessionist all his life. He first seceded from a Northern State, at an early age, and came to this city. He next seceded to two Northern shops, in two Northern States, while serving a short apprenticeship; after which he seceded to Lynchburg, and again to one of the Southern States, where he had charge of a railroad, from which he seceded, leaving the company oblivious as to the cause or his intentions. Then, again, he came to this city, where he had charge of the {Richmond &} York River Railroad, from which he seceded without making known his purposes until, the patience of the Directory being exhausted, they elected his successor. With such precedents, we would like to know what sort of security can be given that he would not, if elected, secede from the Gas Works before the end of the first year, and leave the citizens in doubt whether they had a Superintendent of the Gas Works or not? If we may judge of the future by the past, this question is worthy of the consideration of our citizens, and we candidly ask those who are interested in the welfare of the city, of what use will it be to turn out a good officer and put in one whose precedents do not too highly recommend him for the post?
   The folly of testing the strength of the Secession and Union parties at the municipal election will, we are satisfied, meet with no approval from the citizens at large; and for this important position we hope the citizens will rally, as one man, to sustain a native-born Virginian, of whose loyalty to the State there can be no question, against the pretensions of one of Northern blood, and birth, and lineage, whose claims are but a newly-fledged admiration of a party which is evidently in the ascendant, for the purpose of getting assistance to step into a comfortable situation.
A Tax-Payer and Gas Consumer

Home