The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-07-22
THE TELEGRAPH.

THE TELEGRAPH.
A correspondent addresses us note On the
subject of the Telegraph, which alludes to
what is just source Of complaint with the
people and the press Of this city. This is, the
very frequent interuptions-or rather suspen-
sions-oi the Geographic communication be-
tween Richmond and the Northern cities. We
are satisfied that these suspensions are more
frequent on the Washington and Richmond
line than on any other that we know any thing
about.
The telegraph is the greatest invention ever
made for the provincial or interior press; and
properly operated by those who have it in
charge, and properly used by the journals of
the interior, il will do more than nytning else
TO strengthen them, and promote their indepen.
dence and their freedom from the monopolizing
influences of the powerful newspapers of the
large cities. This great advantage can only
be enjoyed where the telegraph is regular and
reliable in its operations, and where it is used
literally by the newspapers--they must make
il the medium through which they receive all
supplied by the telegraph with the greatest
degree of prompiness, so that the columns Of
the interior paper shall contain it the same
morning that it appears in the large Cities
This makes the country paper strong-it must
be taken by every man of business in self de"
fence; whereas before the telegraph was estab-
lished it could only depend upon its local news
as source of interest not to be met with in
the large city journal, while that always had
the advantage of spreading the news before it
could possibly appear in the town and village
press. Therefore, the telegraph is the best
friend to that press, and deserves TO be by it
praised and glorifed. What is said here of
the town and village press is applicable, also,
to that of the smaller class ofcites. The tsle-
graph is a great invention for the Richmond
press and we have ever struggled to have il
employed here to the most liberal extent.
In commercial regard the telegraph be-
comes similarly important to the merchant of
the smaller cities and towns, and places him
upon the same platform with the merchant Of
the great city. But as with the press, TO be
useful to him, the telegraph must be regular
and reliable, and must be employed literally.
The press and the merchandise public
generally, have been less benefited by the
telegraph in Richmond than in any city in the
Union, we believe, and have more cause to
complain. The line is one of the oldest, and
we may very fairly conclude, most imperfect.
Often as is disabled we are not unfrcquently
denr;va6 IF ;ts adyantaoas hecausa II becnmec
necessary, from the feebleness of the electric
force of the Southern line, to break the circuit
to Richmond, in order to forward messages to
the South; and SO long as the line is pre-occu-
pied in that way, Richmond cannot be heard,
nor can we hear from any quarter.
These defects are injurious TO the public in
terests here. Such a city as Richmond ought
to have telegraph line with the greatest de-
gree Of regularity and efficiency in its opera
tions-such press ss hers ought to have dai.
ly the full Geographic details of the news from
all quarters. The question is, cannot we be put
in possession of these advantages! Will not the
Southern telegraph Company devote some of
their attention and some of their means to the
improvement of their line and their system 3
If not, cannot we get up another line .
There is the House telegraph which has tri.
umphed in the courts in contests with Morses
patent-it is in successful operation from New
York to Washington, and is remarkable as
well for the beauty and ingenuity of its MACH.
merry, as for its rapid and accurate writing
The plan on which the House line is built, is
one which secures the greatest degree of regu.
iarity. This line may be easily continued to
Richmond with the aid of a small subscription
to the stock by our citizens. If it were so ex.
tended, we should at once be placed by the
competition that would take place in possess
sion Of all the benefits and advantages of tie.
iegraphing, and at reasonable rates.
We offer these suggestions for the reflection
Of the present telegraph company and of our
citizens. 1t is certain that we are not now
anorded, in proper degree, the adya ntages
Oh The greatest invention of the day-we do
rot now enjoy the benefit of regular and prompt
'essiaph'c communication with other cities,
and 50 long as we do not, the press and the
sa0.,' mere must be subjected to very great