THE GAS QUESTION.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1969, 27 August 1869, Page 2

THE GAS QUESTION.

To the Editor of the Eveninp Star. Sir, —I forwarded the enclosed letter to the Times, on the 21st instant, _ which as yet has not appeared, and as 1 think that the pu' die should know the facts of every case before passing judgment, you will oblige by insertion. —Yours, &c., J.S. Sir, —Having my motives called in question for the stand which I have taken in reference to the gas agitation, and also a vote of censure having been proposed against me by Councillor fish at the meeting of council held on Wednesday, the 18th inst., I think that in justice to my fellow-

citizen* I am not fulfilling my duty unless I make the following reports known to the public, that they may judge of my motives and feelings at the Council Table on the above date, knowing of these reports. While listening to Councillor Fish moving what he did, I had a desire to put the following questions to the above-nam cl gentleman in public, and, if he answered them to my satisfaction, then, if the Council thought that I bad done wrong, to make one of the most ample apologies ever made by any man to a public assembly. But as the more sensible porti'U of the ratepayers have given me credit for some common sense in this question, I thought that the best thing would he to ask Mr Fish first in private, and if there was no truth in the report*, then, like the old adage, let sleeping dogs lie. But as I found that Councillor Fish diet admit that there was a grain of truth in all the questions, even that grain should be made known to the public. The question had often been asked of me, Row is it that Mr Fish has all the Jews supporting him at this election '! I will now allow some light to come in so that those who are not wilfully blind may be able to see. Ist. Are you related to the Jews by marriage ? The man whose gas was cut off for disputing his account was a Jew. 2nd. Are you a gas-fitter; and has Mr Hutchison ever refused to put on the gas because of the insufficiency of your work ? 3rd, When the Council was desirous of increasing the public lamps, did you tender ? 4th. Was your tender Ll3 ss, while Hutchison’s was Lll 4s? sth, Did you accost Hutchison in a rude manner on the street, ond ask him why he interfered with other men’s business, and tender in opposition to kerosene ? I am no friend of either of the abovenamed gentlemen ; all I want is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, before any matter like this is settled.—l am yours, &c., John Simpson.