The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-04
Proposed Consolidation OF the Telegraph
Lines.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
In an article with the above heading, in your issue
of the Oath inst, it is stated that great company
propose to consolidate the principal lines of tele
graph in the United States. This of course is to be
accomplished either by purchase or lease. 1t is moi
my purpose to inquire what the advantages or dis
advantages to themselves or to the public would be
by this monopoly, but to suggest that this "great
company is the one to develope the capacity of the
telegraph to the wants and requirements Of this wide
spread country.
Most Of people suppose that the lines, as now con.
structed, are capable OF transmitting message to
any part of the country to which the telegraph ex.
tends but in consequence Of the different lines being
managed by different companies and there not being
fraternity Of feeling between them sufficient to allow
them to connect and work in one circuit, they com.
pei all messages to be rewritten upon their respect
I've lines This is not the case. am not aware Of
direct circuit having been worked over seven or
eight hundred miles, and that only for short time,
and under very favorable circumstances.
Before the telegraph will answer the full purposes
OF this country and prove remuneratve to the stock
holders, an entire revolution must take place in the
construction Of lines. Heretofore, with one or two
partial exceptions, but little attention has been
paid the building of lines by the interested par
ties. All the lines in this country have been
built under contract, by parties who possess.
art, and they being too much Of gentlemen to
oversee the detail Of the work them selves have en-
trusted it to lrshmen, who could dig hole and lift
pole with instructions to get through the country
the easiest possible way without the least reference
to the good working Of the line, and on its compile
ton, If they can succeed in getting q message
through, it is pronounced perfect, and accepted
and passed over to the company.
II Is just as important that telegraph line should
lie laid out and located, and the materials designated
according to the length and peculiar circumstances
Of the circuit by engineer It is for railroad.
That it Is as practicable to work from New York
to New Orleans in one circuit, without the use of
repeaters, az reliably, promptly and as uniformly
as the best of lines now work between New York and
Philadelphia, have not the least doubt, and this
great company is the one to adopt and carry out
such improvements in the manner Of building tele-
graph lines as will ensure this great end whether
they succeed in consolidating the present lines or
not.
II il, perhaps, somewhat presumng to say that
that this company Is the Newfoundland Telegraph
Company. They certainly should look to this mat
ter in ali it's bearings. II they succeed In connect
inr the Old Word with the New by means OF telc.
graphic cable they should by ell means take such
steps and adopt such measures az shall ensure the
most speedy and reliable transmission of all bust
mess from the other sde There Is greater difference
In the distance to our important marts, from the
end Of the cable than to England, and no doubt
the despatch Of business, and no allowance made
for distances hence the necessity of line from st.
Johns to New York and from New York to New
Orleans that can be worked, reliably, in their re-.
spective circuits and under favorable circumstances
In one circuit, dropping copy, when necessary, at
New York. line Of this description would be in
keeping with the great enterprise of spanning the
Ocean; and II they feel disposed to consolidate the
proeent lines auxiliaries there can be no objec-
ton, but let them give IA the great line for the
great business OF the great countries Of England
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