, 1860-03-31

company tor many years-nonc at all at
profit. 1t is proposed to construct tho line
from St Joseph ria Pixies Peak and tho South
Pass to point connecting with tho California
lines, distance Of nearly 1000 miles. It mny
be assumed That the first cost Of construction
will be a: least twics rs great as that Of the
lines in 1liuois, which VIC think has been
about one hundred dollars per mile, while the
cost Of keeping in repair, which is much tho
largest item Of telegraph expense, would he
vastly greater than anything known in the
States. Assuming that the lirst cost Of tie
line would be 100000, wo do not SEQ where
the comrany's profits are to come from, during
the ten years for which tile contract is to run,
when We consider the dangers to which the
wires would bo subjected from Indians ard
emtgrants, to whom the fuel in the telegraph
poles would be an ever present temptation.
We need not descant on the great national
and international advantages to result from the
construction Of Pacific telegraph Our read
crs understand all that Tho question is
whether any more favorable proposition is
likely to be presented to Congress, and wlsoth-
er there are any collateral disadvantages to
the public likely to result from the monopoly
Of Pacific telcgraphipg thus created. As to
tue former, We think it extremely improbable
that more liberal contract will be offered By
aur number Of men competent to fulfill their
obligations. Telegsaphing is a business which
very few persons have ever embarked in with
out losing money, and very few can be induced
to put their capital in it now except those who
have made it a study for years, and have re-
duced it, in al its departments, to one Of the
exc: sciences. The persons FAMED in the
Senate bill represent all tue extensive telegraph
interests in the country, to-wit: The American
Telegraph Company, (Sova Scotia to New Or
leuns,) tho New York, Albany & Buffalo, the
Atlantic + Ohio, philadelphia to Pittsburg,)
the Western Union, (Ohio, 1niiaca i Nichi-
gan,) the New Orleans d Ohio, louisville to
New Ofleans,) the Illinois & Mississippi, (I'li-
nois aad Iowa. and tho Wisconsin State Tel
egraph Company. These Interests can con-
slruct and operate the line economically, If it
can be done at all. Their responsibility is good
fur the work to be done, and even though it were
not, the subsidies from the Treasury arc to
cease whenever failure is made in the perform.
ance Of their stipulated duties. 1t appears
that tho veteran O'Reil]y is opposing tho pas
sage Of the bill in tue HOUSE with great zeal
It simply deyolyes upon him to show more
economical plan, with tho same guarantee f1r
its execution, and eqra' assurances that The
line shall be operated for the advantage Of Ill
parts Of the country alike. If he caunot Dc
80 it becomes him to get out Of the way. Per
Aaps one Of his objections to the pro posed con
tract is valid enc, 10 w.t. that tile govern
mcnt should lavo 10 prior right to the use 0
the limo as against private individuals wht
make payment in advanoe-in other words
"6rst come first served" except in cases ofpc
culiar and sudden emergency II it he tru.
that the government pays the first cost Of con
structon it is equally true that the 1nonc,
comes from tie people and belongs to them.
The other qucstion-that which locks II
the monopoly which the bill proposes to ere
ate-is worthy Of the careful scrutiny Of Con
grcss. The various telegraph interests whic!
unite in the proposed contract through no
consolidated in single company, are practi
cally Que in business. The snail fry line
have nearly all been bought up or run under
aud the largo concerns are now operating witt
little crno competition. Their routes follow
different lines pf traffic, ard thus they ca,
nflord 10 unite in any great enterprise whic]
promises to extend and increase their business
We do not say that this fact ought to operat
against tho bill now before Congress. I,
one view it is an argument in its ia
vor, because it guarantees the speedy con
s:rrction Of the line, and tho certai
enjoyment Of the great advantages which
would afford 1he public, in the transaction {
business between the two gold regions an
the States. We simply suggest that it is
proper subject FIR inquiry, whether the TIT
nopoly is likely to be injurious to the countr,
With the information before US, wc do nc
think tho passage Of tie bill will make tile ,us
nopoy either stronger or weaker. rs no,
! exists it will continue 10 exist, until tie exp
ration Of the patents which have created il
and if it be an unfortunate thing for tile coul
try, il will 80 continue, either with or witLou
the Pacific contract: If it is not an uafc.!r
nate or un:avorablo thing. the extension {
their p3wers and prerosatircs west Of th
Missouri cannot be productive Of harm.
| From these considerations VIC think the RI
publican members Of the Senate who vote
with one exception for the Pacific Telegram
bill, acted with wise regard for tile interest
Of their constituents and the whole countr
and MS at present advised, VIC hope the bill wi
become Law. The following was the vote
tile Senate:
| yrAs-3fes.rs. Anthony. D7ya:d, Drr]aptn, Be:e
Bragg. CAMERON Clark Elneru1b. cnlAm.E, d x0n, Dsu
little, Fitch, Font. Hrss f;wla Harlan Lane. Lathsr
Mal0ry. Polk, f0we!t = war sfEnIn0ta suI,acr, Fiur
bn l. Wa..e iiki:son and Yulse-.s.
| kArs-Messrs. UroWa Gh muller. Chestnut. Clay, nlv1
Fitzpatrick Hzmm9ud, tuuter 1,ess: .tch"ron Il Ar
4usas, Juhuson of TrnIt.set Aasou. SALISBURY. Slide
nd Ten E3ck-i5.