The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-18

EXTENSION OF THE MORSE TELEGRAPH IA
TENr.-The Commissioner of Patents has renew
ed the patent of Morses improvement on his
original invention for seven years, thus en-
suriDg Professor Morse's right for that pc
riod of time. This is the second or third
extension the inventor has obtained, and 1t is
granted now upon the plea that he has not been
sufficiently remunerated for the time and labor
expended in perfecting the system. Many peo-
pie are disposed to find fault with this extern
sion of the patent perhaps, through q
fear that the telegraph monopoly may become
too powerful, and partly because they conceive
that Morse has enjoyed it long enough, and as
he has recently obtained bonus of some
eighty thousand dollars from European govern
ments, they think that he has been amply re-
munerated. But they do not know the diff
culties with which he had to combat in estab-
fishing system which has proved 80 valuable
to the world.
There are three systems of telegraphing now
in use by the consolidated American Telegraph
Company on the Atlantic slope-these of Morse,
House, and Hughes; and if line is built to
California these same instruments will be used
on the Pacific slope. 1t is true that we have tele-
graph monopoly in this country; but it is ex-
ceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for any
monopoly to sustain itself by adopting high
tariff, and the public would speedily discoun
tenance any mode of conducting telegraph
which was not fair and proper. In Europe the
telegraph is used almost exclusively by the
commercial and richer classes of the commu-
nifty; but it is quito different in America. Here
the telegraph is popular institution; it is en-
ployed by every class-the laborer and me-
chanic, the sewing girl and the servant, as we'll
a. the merchant the millionaire, and the poll
tician. The poorest man in New York does
not hesitate to communicate any important
piece of domestic intelligence to his friends in
other cities by lightning.
The larger the number Of messages sent over
the lines, the better it pays the companies ;
every wire they are compelled to stretch
from pole to pole brings an additional
profit, and if they were to attempt to
increase the price beyond an equitable stan
dard, business would soon fall off to an extent
that would serve as warning to the companies
that the public would not submit to an oppres-
sive monopoly. Besides, there is no doubt
that many new inventions will spring up with
in the next seven years the busy brain OF the
world is always at work. It is only within the
last three or four years that Hughes invented
his magnificent plan, the most perfect on the
globe; and who can doubt that in the ever-ac-
tive field Of American invention many Systems
will spring into life before the seven years
lease of Mr.. Morse expires There are at
present seven different telegraph systems
in use in Europe-those Of Morse, Balm,
varley, Henley, Wheatstone, Steinheil and
Whitehouse. Prior to the year 1888 there were
no less than twenty-one systems invented in
Europe, and there have been more than
dozen systems patented on botn coutinents
sine, then; and the spirit OF inyeo .son Is now
more active tnan ever.
Thus, We conceive there iced be very little