The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-12

through Inc malls 10 Atlanta or MonSomefy'n Ala
bama, and Is despatched BY qfeay Of horses win more
than double the expedition t can be gwen to the mail
stage conveying daily its thousands OF pounds. BY the
ng M mail coaches s m he s S M
day. gaining "a hours If from Atlanta, gaining IS
hours, and proceeds in the mail boat TO New Orleans
newspaper containing intelligence OF the foreign markets
brought Boston by the English steamers In addition TO
the time gained by the express 1t is obvious that much
may be secured by using the telegraph 10 Washing
ton from which place the intelligence may be forwarded
before any portion OF the mail by the foreign
be delivered even in New York,
The department has been urged, with much earnest
10 establish government express over that part OF
the mail route where the service performed IN coach
es This is represented as the only mode by which the
private express be put down, because abstalns
from the transportation of written matter for which alone
the owner or carrier be subjected TO the penalties OF
the act OF the Sd OF March, 1913 The revenues of the
department not materially affected by the express
II the whole postage the matter taken by II Tor year
was paid il would not equal the expenses OF such line
for single day Its effect individual interest is far
different ltgyes the Speculation undue advantage over
the regular dealer enables the purchaser to deraud
the seller in open market by obtaining his commodities at
less than their value If the right TO take newspaper
over mail routes out Of the mails for such purposes be
cured to the citizen by the act of the Sd OF March, 1885,
is claimed it may be questioned how far the govern
ment should interfere in its exercise by creating compe
ttion against its citizens in their lawful pursuits and
enterprises II II be not secured, then should be so de-
cared and the practice suppressed, by the imposition OF
penalties sufficient 10 accomplish the object ,
II such line should be established By the government
it necessarily be for the transmission OF intelligence
similar to that taken by the private express and must be
special and conclusive in its character and limited TO the
of few, or it would be broken down by lis own
weight There would then be two mail lines passing
over the routeone going with the utmost despatch
for the benefit OF few the other with the usual speed OF
travel for the community AT large The department can
not say what portion OF the matter put in the mails shall
be sent with great despatch and what shall be taken with
the speed of the mails Ii cannot regulate
the rates OF postage to charge upon the mail mat
ter taken with great speed, than is paid upon that which
Of March, 1885, made uniform. II such line should
be established the object OF those urging II could not be
accomplished. The use OF the telegraph being under the
control OF private individuals would enable those inter-
ested TO communicate intelligence in New Orleans day
two in advance OF the letters brought by the foreign
mails, with the utmost speed that could be given them
There would be increase Of the hostages by It's es-
adjustment whilst the increased expenditure would not
fall short OF fifty thousand dollars annually to be paid out
OF the treasury.
II the department had the power to establish such
line and had yielded to the urgent solicitations for it,
similar appeals would have been made in behalf OF other
important commercial points, and could not, with justice
have been declined; and thus the department would have
been involved IN heavy expenditures which its present
revenues would not Justify.
Il is the duty Of the department to give the utmost
petition 10 the mails but this not performed by attempt
ing speed which all must cannot be maintained
the law stands, and which cannot be useuy under
taken until the department has the exclusive control OF
the telegraph and is authorized the hostages
high to exclude from the mails much of the matter
that now gives weight TO them.
were made 10 the department, during
the last session of Congress- for the suppression of
press line then IN operation over the part Of this i'm
portant route instructions were given TO the agents OF
the department 10 refer the the district attorney
for prosecution For the reasons assigned in this report
no prosecution was instituted. The whole subject
then LAID before the appropriate committees OF Congress
For these have declined establishing the express
line which has been anxously sought by portion OF
the citizens of New Orleans.
The contractors for the transportation of the mails be-
tween New York and Bremen, by ocean steamers; are
rapidly progressing with the construction of the first
sell and but little doubt is entertained that the service
will be commenced early in the spring From the reports
OF the agent appointed 10 inspect timber machinery, &c.
the work has so far proved most satisfactory and promi
add the high reputation of the mechanics of this
country Tor the judgment and skill exhibited in its con-
struction.
The act of Sd of March, 1915 providing for the trans
portaon OF the mails between this and foreign countries
under which the contract was made with Edward Mills
and his associates seemed to contemplate 1.-THE establish
ment OF more lines than the selected Various prop
ostons received and communicated to Congress at
its last sesslon-among the NUMBER line from Charles
ton, by Havana to Chages in steamers and from Pana
ma to Oregon in sail steam vessels recommended
and no action taken upon the subject The clause in the
act OF the 10th OF June, 1916 appropratng $4,000 for
the service between New York and Bremen, provides
that further shall be diverted any other OBJ
ect than the transportation OF the mails within the United
States This has not been regarded repeal of the
act OF the Sd OF March, 1915, but intmaon of the
wish OF Congress that further for foreign
service should at this time be made under it No fur
Their efforts have, therefore, been made TO add
hona service, notwithstanding the anxious desire of the
department to provide direct communication with our
settlements the Pacific coast Recent events in that
remote region would to add to the Importance, if
not necessity, of the line proposed at the late session
OF Congress. The finances of the department. however,
will not admit of its establishment without the previous
legislation of Congress-
The telegraph between this city and Baltimore has
been kept regularly in operation until the LIST of Deem
her. statement of the income and expenditures from
the time it placed under the control of the depart
ment is herewith marked ID. +....'..
Under the authority given at the last session of Con-
gress an arrangement has been made with Messrs Vail
and Rogers, the principal officers having charge of it, by
next, for its profits, and without further calls upon the
treasury. H.. .....
In my last annual communication, ! brought to your
notice this extraordinary invention of Professor Morse
for the transmission OF intelgences importance in all
commercial transactions, 10 those having the control of it,
and to the government ITSELF particularly in period of
war. then expressed the opinion that an instrument,
the citizen, be permitted to remain in the hands of ndi
vdual uncontrolled by law. Another years experience
gives additional weight to the opinions then expressed
Telegraphic lines have been established from New
York to Boston, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and
Washington City and others in contemplation from
this city, south, and from Buffalo, west and will be
tended to the principal cities of the Union in few years
II now enables those controlling il to transmit intelligence
simultaneously between the different cities, where il has
been established, and TO the important commercial points
in the south and west several days in advance of the
mails The evils which the community may suffer, or
the benefits which individuals may derive from the pos
session OF such instrument, under the control of p
waite associations, or incorporated companies, not con-
trolled by law, cannot be over estimated
may further add that the department created under the
constitution, and designed to exercise exclusive power