Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-03-23
MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.


present General Assembly, is "An act concern
ing Telegraphs," which, we understand, will pro-
duce The immediate construction OF line oil
Morse's Electro Magnetic Telegraph from Wash
inglon as far South al least as Petersburg, win
stations at Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Rich
mond and Petersburg.
The first section empowers the railroad compa-
MES 10 establish line Of Morses or any other
Telegraph, having first acquired the right TO use
the same
The second section authorizes Professor Morse
and his associates 10 rut mp line oil his lee-
graph from Washington 10 the limits OF North
Carolina, and conlers lpon them corporate pow
erS.
The third section Authorizes the inventors OF
any system OF Telegnphs, or those who may
have acquired legal conveyance thereof to con-
s,ruct lines over all tie common roads, streets,
rubic works and waters OF the State, provided
they do not obs.ruct theordinary uses thereof.
The fourth section provides for The punishment
OF abuses committed BY he managers the Ie-
egraph and Of injuries done 10 It's posts or wires
The fifth section reserves TO The General Assem-
by power TO alter or repeal the act.
The SIKH section requires The proprietors OF
Morse's Telegraph, TO give preference, in OBJ
tanning funds to build line along or parallel 10
the railroads, first, 10 the rapad companies Sc
condly, 10 citizens OF Virginia and thirdly TO The
Board OF Public Works
Wea are informed, that lin. OF posts is now up
from Washington TO Fredericksburg; that wire
is on them as far as Alexandra, and will be 10
Fredericksburg as soon as il can be put up; and
that wire has peen provided for The line as lar as
Petersburg. Nothing prevents The immediate
commencement OF The work this side OF Freder-
icksburg, but the necessity imposed by The act OF
waiting for The decision Of The railroad compa-
MES upon The option secured to them OF furnish
ing The funds. II is not doubted that their deci-
sion will he promptly given. No delay, we are
assured will be incurred in waiting for subscrip-
tons iron citizens, il The privilege should BE- de.
volyeL upon them.
We perceive no sound objections 10 this act
II leaves TO all inventors Of Telegraph systems
the right to sell or use them in this Common
wealth, subject TO future legislative action; and il
secures 10 our railroad companies, citizens or
government, all The advantages likely to arise
from furnishing capital TO build The main line
through The State, and having its active manage
ment To 60 further, and attempt 10 toree the
owners OF patent property 10 part with it against
their will, Tor the benefit Of The railroad compa-
MES, the citizens, or the State, would, 10 say the
least OF il, be unworthy of the justice and honor
of our ancient Commonwealth.
We understand that Maryland, North Carroll
ma, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, have in
corporaed Telegraph Companies, and that New
York and Ohio have granted free right Of way
over all their common roads, public works and
waters. Railroad lines TO the extent of about
nine hundred miles are now occupied by lines OF
Telegraph in the United States, and there are
about six hundred miles no! on railroads. The
free use OF the Telegraph wires for their bust.
hess purposes is the consideration given 10 the
railroad companies for The right OF way.
The importance Of the Telegraph 10 the South
en towns is illustrated by every steamers arrival
from Europe. On the afternoon Of Saturday last
Tie Hibernia arrived al Boston. That evening
the prices of wheat, corn, cotton and flour, in the
English markets, were doubtless known along the
Telegraph lines 10 Buffalo, Pilsburg and Bali
more, while the same information came 10 Rich
mond by mail, twenty-iour hours afterwards
Thus all the Eastern merchants have whole
days start OF ours, in acting upon the foreign
news; and with cities further South, the disad-
vantage is much greater. The extension OF this
improvement will place the trade OF every city
and section of the Union on The same footing, SO
lar as il is influenced By the foreign or even do
mestic markets. preventing inordinae specula-
lions, and imparing 10 business more sleadness
and certainty.