Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-12-23

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operations. Having boon transferred 10
the Post Oflie Department | al once ado2-
ted regulations 10 bring II in into constant
service, as means Of transmitting in,eiii,
gcnee accessible to all, and prescribe the
rlter of postage. The copy of The order,
which accompanies this report, marked No.
II, will show the regulations and the rates
Of postage adopted. One-half Of the rates
Of postage suggested by Professor Morse
was adopted by me, under The hope that
ii would greatly increase its revenues. -
!. went into operation on The 1st of April,
having expended $3.50 Is before the
charge Of postage commenced. From the
Ist OF April to the lst of October. the ex-
pendiluro amounted TO $3,244 99-muk-
ing the whole expend ture $685. IA ;
whilst the revenues for the six months a.
mounted TO the sum or$4t3 IA.
In estimating the expenditures Of this
line, the salary Of Professor Morse, per-
haps, ought not 10 be added. 1t was fix
ed by the regulations Of the treasury, and
continued in estimates upon which the last
appropriation was founded; and his time
has been devoted to the general interests
and Improvements Of the telegraph, and a
portion Of it tpent in Europe, where, in
his, judgment, it could be more successfully
done than here.
deem it my duty to bring 10 your notice
the fact that the subject Of ielcgraphic
communications in IFS fullest extent, as
nude invalid by means Of his eXtraor-
binary invention, is forcing itself uoon the
attention Of the public. The propretors
of the patent righ- securing lie exclusive
right Of The telegraph have, since the last
Congress, taken the'most active measures
to establish lines Of communication be-
tween the principal cities of thu Union
The success will introduce q means OF
communicating intelligence amply suiii-
cient for a great variety Of purposes, and
greatly superior in despatch 10 those Of
the public mails, and must secure - itself
much Of The business thai has heretofore
been transacted through them, and, TO that
extent, diminish the revenues Of the depatt-
ment.
Ii becomes, then, a question of great
importance how far the government will
allow individuals to divide with it business
of transmitting intelIigence-an imPor-
tant duty confded to it by the constitution,
necessarily and properly exclusive. On
will purchase the telegraph, and conduct
its operations for the benefit Of the public?
Experience teaches, that if individual en-
terprise is allowed to perform such por-
tons Of the business Of the government as
it may fnd for its advantage, the govern
ment will soon be left TO perform unpror-
liable portions Of it on Y, and must be driy
en- to abandon entirely, or carry it on at
a heavy tax upon the public treasury. In
the hands Of individuals or asso ;ations, the
telegraph may become the most potent
instrument the world ever knew to effect
sudden and large spcculations-to rob the
many Of their just advantages, and concon-
trate them upon the few. If permitted by
the governmental be thus held, the public
can have no security that it will not be
welded for their injury; rat err ihan their
benefit. The operation of The telegraph
between this city and Baltimore has no.
satisfied me that, under any rate Of post
age that can be adopted, lis revenues can
be made to equal It's expenditures. It's
Importance 10 me puolc Goes not consist
in any probable income that can ever be
derived from it, But, IS an agent vastly
superior to any other ever devised by the
genius Of man for the diffusion Of intclIi-
gence, which may be done with almost tho
rapidity Of lightning, to any part Of the re-
public, lis value, in all commercial trans
actions, to individuals having the control
Of it, or TO the government in time Of war,
could not be estimated. The use of an in
strumcnt so powerful for good evil cannot
with sallty to the people, be left in the
hands Of private individuals, uncontrolled
ty law.
Very respectfully,
Your obedIcnt servant,
G. JOHNSON.
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