The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-11 00:00:00

The Post Office and the Telegraphs.

Shortly before the resignation of the late Ministry
a bill was drawn up providing for the purchase and
working by Government of the telegraphic lines of
the United Kingdom. The project was put forward
after a long correspondence with the principal offi-
cials of the leading telegraphic companies, not only
of England, but also of some of the nations of the
Continent. It is understood that Lord Stanley of
Alderley takes great interest in the promotion of the
scheme, and also that the present Ministry have
given it their approval. There seems no reason why
telegraphs should not be put under the management
of Government equally with the Post-office, to
which they are so valuable as auxiliary agents—the
one having become the complement of the other in
the great machinery of the world's correspondence.
There is no doubt that if the scheme be adopted the
public will be able to send messages at a consider-
ably lower rate than they are able to do at present.
Besides, the details of the working of the various

lines would be carried out with far greater com-
pleteness and expedition. It has been shown over
and over again, by the most distinguished of our
political economists, that when certain institutions
assume a certain degree of ninnitude they can be
more easily carried on by one great managing power
rather than by several distinct managing bodies,
each of which has to undertake expense little less
than that by which all the distinct branches could
be maintained under the centralising system. Under
this principle the Post-office unquestionably come,
and we see little or no reason why it should not
apply also to telegraphs, for their vast network ,spread
over the three kingdoms, has now become so exten-
sive and complicated that the intervention of Go-
vernment seems inevitable. The most noticeable fea-
ture of the scheme proposed is the adoption of an
uniform rate for a given number of words as respects
any distance, the rate being much lower than that at
present followed. And here it may be added that,
though the English companies have reduced their
prices since their first constitution, their rates are still
much higher than those that prevail on the continent
and in the United States. Under the plan recom-
mended, the Government would have to construct
new lines in addition to managing those already
existing. The postal arrangements would be made
to coincide as much as possible with those of the
telegraphic offices, and the establishment of a central
telegragh bureau corresponding to the General
Post-office will make a remarkable addition to the
details of the project. The several staffs of
the existing companies will, it is presumed, pass
into the employment of the Government, while
such officials as managing directors and secretaries
will have to be provided with fresh appointments
or else pensioned off. It appears advisable, consi-
dering the advantages to be derived from such a
step, that Government should proceed at once to
buy up and work the telegraphic lines of the United
Kingdom, even at a loss, for not only would the
public benefit by the prevalence of the low tariff,
but more liberal terms could be entered into with
foreign Powers, and correspondence with the con-
tinent greatly facilitated. It is only just to add
that the details of the scheme have been drawn up
by Mr. Scudmore, of the General Post-office, whose
services in similar matters have been gracefully
acknowledged by Mr. Gladstone in the House of
Commons.

COURSING.

COURSING MEETINGS TO COME.
DECEMBER.

Name. Judge. Days of Running
Belbroughton (Worcester) Mr. Cherrington 12,
T hornton-le-Moor (Chesh.) Mr. Warwick
Elm, Cambridgeshire Mr. Spafford
Sundorne & Hordley (Salop) Mr. Warwick
Cockermouth, Cumberland Mr. Warwick
Leinster Club • . Mr. H. Springall... 18, 19
Kenilworth, Warwickshire Mr. Spafford
A micable Club, Ashdown Pk Mr. Warwick
L udham, Norfolk

Ince Blundell, Lancashire
Aston, Cheshire \lr. Warwick
Currie, Lockerbio

JANUARY, 1867.
Huntingdon Club Mr. Warwick
S. Lincolnshire, Ho'beach ... Mr. Spofford

Cool©, co. Cork (Open)
Third S. Lancashire, (South-

9, &c.

. .
port (Open)
Spolthorne Club Mr. Warwick
Border Union (Longtown)
Cumberland
Barton-on-Humber, Lincoln. Mr. Spafford
Alt= Club, Lancashire -
Wigtonsb. Club (Stranraer) Mr. Boulton
Little Crosby
County Louth Club, Ireland Mr. Spafford
Ridgway Club, Lytham - 3O, &c.