Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-02-25
BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENCE.
BALTIMORE, Feb. 24-10P.


Tie Americam Tsisgraphic ConfederanOn-
Matter for as Consideration.
learn that an association of gentlemen, de-
nominated the American Telegraphic Con-
federation, is soon to assemble in Washing
ton. This confederation will be composed of
gentlemen representing the various interests
of the great Geographic system of the United
States-or more properly speaking probably.
of North America. The object, presume, is
fer persons of experience to meet thus in con-
yention, consult together, interchange ideas,
uggestimprovements, take cognizanee OF evils,
&c, in the system, and recommend what in
their Judgment may be advantageous, tending
| to p. Otect the present and future operations of
ibis mighty instrument.
We live, emphatically, in Geographic age.
1t has already become marked in this resrec,
Men think, act, and speak by lightning Its
wires have become currents of thought and
they can no longer wait for obsolete modes of
conveyance. The phraseology and commercial
Ocabulary of merchants have been charged
by this woodworking invention. In short,
without entering into details, its effects and
quick pulsations are felt throughout all the
qualifications Of life, from the humble sphere of
cottager to the higher departments of gov
ernment. Men Of all ranks and occup ations
are left without choice. They are obliged
to use the telegraph. or be not only in rear of
their more enterprising neighbors, but far be-
hind the age.
Professor Morse, the distinguished, honored
inyentor-the man to whom the world is in
debted for q practical telegraphic system
will, in all probability, be member of the
confederation alluded to, and doubtless its pre-
siding officer. From him, then, we may look
for many valuable suggestions. speak upon
the very best authority, his own emphatic Ian
g, age, when l assert that Professor Morse never
contemplated his invention should, under any
circumstances, be used as a monopoly, and
thus changed from an instrument of good to
an engine of incalculable evil. He wished it
TO be free and open alike to all-untrammeled
unembarrassed. The contrary, however, to
some extent, has been the result. There is a
line of telegraph upon his patent, running
from the borders Of Maine to Halifax, through
the British provinces, which has become an
odious monopoly, causing complaint all over
the country. Certain parties, known as the
" Associate Press in New York, have been
granted the exclusive use Of this line for the
transmission OF European news upon the ar
rival of steamers at Halifax. None others are
allowed to use the wires whilst said associ alton
is receiving its news Thus, highly moment
Gus intelligence, upon which every fortnight
hangs and vibrates the entire commerce of the
country, enchancing or depreciating the value
of Ou- great staples to the extent Of millions of
dollars is mOnOpolized, played into the hands
of few, held back from the general public and
and used for speculative purposes. 1t is
known fact, susceptible of indisputable proof
that the important news received in this way,
is invariably kept back from the public for
hours and hours after it has been transmitted
and placed into the hands of the monopolists
Charges have been made and reiterated, over
and over again. from one end of the Union to
the other. by the public press not directly con-
nected with this monopoly, by merchants and
others, that the news is made use Of for specu-
lative purposes, thus allowing Gausrsd tec
to take advantage Of the many 1t would
really seem as though there were something
rotten in Denmark, else why this tenacious
holding back of important news? So great
temptation should not be allowed exclusive to
any one party. The wires ought to be open to
all, in order to prevent the possibility of hold
ing such power and misusing it. 1t is sincerely
hoped the American Telegraphic Confedera-
ton will give this subject their earliest and
most effective consideration. They will rem
der great service to the entire telegraphic sys-
tenn by adopting measures to suppress it. Bet
ter that the telegraph had never been discov-
cred, or put into operation, than that its stu
pendOus powers should be thus abused and
transformed from the original, legitimate de-
sign of its immortal inventor RoDERIcK