The Sun.
London, England, 1869-10-12 00:00:00

Advices from New York state that a movement is in
agitation for the purchase of the telegraphic system by the
Government. It would appear that the proposition has
come from the principal telegraph company itself
which is a further argument, if any were needed, that the
companies on this aide have certainly sustained no damage
by the new arrangements. The fact of the heavy advance
that has taken place in the value of the shaies would be
sufficient to convince us that the lines have been acquired
on terms favourable to the original holders, and the
American companies appear to be desirous of benefiting by
the precedent set on this side. We do not mean to infer
that the American companies were not justified in holding
out for compensation for probably increased profits on the
increase of business, and we believe that the return that
will accrue to the Government will be fairly remunerative
on the capital employed. There is a great difference, how-
ever, between the lines in the United States and the system
here. One large company—the Western Union—haa
bought up all the leading lines in the States as it was
empowered to do by its charter, and the telegraphic com-
munication is virtually a monopoly on the other side of the
Atlantic. Nevertheless the company appears to have done its
work well, and to be free from imputation of negligence. At
the same time, it is evident that this state of affairs can-
not be allowed to continue. It is scarcely credible
that the communication of one State with another
should be under the entire and almost irrespon-
sible control of the directors of a private company.
Yet such is now the case, and the offer having come from
the directors themselves the Government will do well
to close with it if equitable terms can be arranged. Tho
working of the lines in America is a matter of less difficulty
than here, owing to the sparseness of the population in
many parts of the Union. Thus, we find that while there
are 52,099 miles of poles, there are only 104,584 miles of
wire, and the stations number only 3,462. Again, in such a
country as the United States, business must increase with
unexampled rapidity, and this is an additional reason why
the Government should at once seriously consider the
question, as every delay will only cause the ultimate expen-
diture of a large sum of money,
Tho same arguments tell in favour of the purchase cf
the railroad system by the United States Government,
but there appear practical difficulties in the way of
such a step which are almost insuperable. In the first
place, the Americans possess a railway system which in
extent bids fair to rival that of the rest of the world. At
the commencement of the current year, there were about
42,000 miles of railroad in the United States,
while the mileage of all other carts of the
world was estimated at 60,000 miles, and it is
now asserted that before the close of the year, 50,000 miles of
railroad will be open to the American public. As a matter of
fact Maine is now building eight railroads. New Hamp-
shire, four ; Vermont, six ; Massachusetts, five ; Connecti•
cut, seven ; New York, eleven ; New Jersey,
seven ; Pennsylvania, thirty-two ; Delaware, five ;
Maryland, seven; West Virginia, six; Ohio, twelve; Indiana,
Illinois, and Michigan have each about the same number in
progress ; lowa and Missouri are constructing twelve ; Wis-
consin is building six ;Minnesota, seven ; Nebraska, two or
three; Kansas, nine; Arkansas, three; Texas, three
or four; Louisiana, four ; Mississipi, three ; Ala-
bama, six; while in the Southern Atlantic States thero

arc at least twenty great works on which progress is
being made. The wonderful activity of the Americans in
this particular is worthy of more than passing mention.
There are probably at the present moment 300 separate
lines in course of construction, the average length of which
may be taken at not less than fifty miles. The magnitude
of such a proceeding would probably deter the Government
from buying up the system as has been mere than• once
suggested; but it must not be forgotten that many of these
lines are built in a temporary manner, and will not com-
pare in solidity of construction and durability with any in
Europe.

Tho death is announced of the sculptor Pierre
Hebert, author of the well-known group of the Child and the
Tortoise.

The Duke of Cambridge arrived at Glocester
House on Friday, from his official visit to Portsmouth

Garrison.

The navigation on the river for the small steamers
was suspended for several hours on Saturday owing to the
dense fog.

A soldier just released from service at £chlestadt
(Bas-Rhin) murdered, a few days back, a young married
woman named Kohler by stabbing her repeatedly with a
knife. Jealousy was the motive for the crime.

The following gentlemen were on Friday elected
fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge :—Butler, Bth classic,
1867 ; Daniell, sth classic, 1867 ; Christie, 4th wrangler,
1868 ; Rawlings, 3d classic, 1868.

The " son of an illustrious duke" is to be brought
forward as tho Comservative candidate for Norwich, provid-
ing the city is not disfranchised after the report of the Corn
mission has beon considered.

Evidence has been given before the Norwich Com-
mission on Saturday to the effect that Mr. Able, the horse-
dealer, who drove about for voters, did not bribe any voters.
Sir Henry Stracy attended the court, and was to be exa-
mined.

A miner named Halbeisen and his wife, living at
Friossen (the Upper Rhine), have just boon arrested on the
charge of strangling throe children the man had by a former
wife, and then setting fire to their cottage fel conceal the
crime.

The President of the Poor-Law Board is now mak-
ing a personal inspection of the principal workhouses of
this country. On Tuesday he was at Birmingham, Wed-
nesday and on Friday he occupied in visiting the various
establishments in and near Manchester.

The inquiry into the circumstances connected
with the stranding of the ship Gallovidian was concluded
in Glasgow on Friday. The justices held that there bad
been some neglect of duty on the part of Captain Allan,
and decided that his certificate should be suspended fur
six months.

The Pall Mall Gazette hears that the case of the
unsuccessful candidates at the last examination for naval
cadetships is being reconsidered by the Board of Admiralty.
A memorial from their parents has been addressed to the
Board, begging that the candidates may be allowed the
second trial they were promised on their nomination.

The John Bull hears from a correspondent, occu-
pying a high official position in the diocese of Exeter, that
it is more than probable that the election of Dr. Temple
to the See of Exeter will be opposed in the Chapter. In
its editorial columns the same paper characterises the ap-
pointment as " monstrous," " an insult to the late venerated
bishop and a cruel wrong to the diocese."

A malicious act of rattening machinery has been
perpetrated at Howden. Some persons placed two pieces of
iron in the side valve or cylinder of the engine at the Flax
Company's works. The engineer fortunately detected
some obstruction in the machinery, and found the cause, or
serious damage must have been done. A reward of £lO has
been offered by Mr. Hind for the discovery of the offenders.
Professor Boehm, one of the first physicians in
Berlin, is said to be at the point of death. In performing
a dissection a week ago in the presence of the students ho
accidentally pricked his finger with the scalpel, and neg-
lected to cauterise the puncture. Two days after his hand
swelled to an enormous size, and all the succours of art wore
unavailing.

A workman in the employ of Mr. Walker, lucifer-
match maker, Southwark, was on Friday mixing some phos-
phorus with other ingredients to form the composition in
which the points of the snatches are dipped, when an ex-
plosion took place, and the blazing composition flew about
the workshops, setting fire to 100 packages of splints, and
burning the man so severely that ho was obliged to be taken
to the hospital.

Great preparations are being made at Chester to
give eclat to the royal vial to the ancient city, -which will
take place next week. The Prince of Wales will arrive on
Thursday evening, and on the following day will open the
new Town-hall. On Thursday evening his royal highness
will to entertained at dinner by Lord Grosvenor, and on
Friday evening he will attend a grand 411, Preparatio4A
aro Wing tae foollußriprOlg the. city,