The New York herald., 1868-12-16
The Telegraph in America.
From the New York Times


In icfner article were gwen the most important
facts IN Nation to the telegraph in Europe set forth
IN ine lsyatey printedl letter OF Mr.. Gardiner @.
HuDDardu Boston, 10 the Postmaster General OF
the Unltcthtatee. From the same source Gull
such statlscs OF the business in our own country
and such pggestions toward the union OF the tee-
graphic anbostal systems VI general interest
and yet not rneray known.
The Westeh Union Telegraph Company transmits
more thsn nie-tenths OF all the messages sent over
the wires Ia " United States The corporation pub
lshes no stattics OF their business; but, knowing
Their aegregap returns aud estimating the basis
o the ngures other companies, II Is believed that
they Tansmite 6.952, 900 messages during the year
enihg IN June AS6s. Their receipts during the same
peflOu were fosS2I3-an increase OF about six per
cent over the yealhefore
There is no unihrm tariff OF rates, established on
distance, In the Uaited states. The charges are
often less TO dstani station than TO an
one on the same lire. The lowest charges between
any large cities are twenty-five cents between New
loTk ana Pniladelphhi and thirty cents between
New YORK and Boston or message Of ten words
or rather as the averages OF dates, signatures and
address SHOW, twenty-five words. Rates between
NeW ORR and Boston-tnd the same facts probably
Apply elsewhere-have 1Ictuated greatly. In 1850 a
ne sage cost lity cents; 1852 twenty cents; later
iteen Genus; lhen ,orty cents. This was subsequent
~ raised 10 siAtytHe cents but In 1850 IL was re-
aueeu 70 thlrty cent? Tho needs OF general business
had nothing TO do th these prices In 1852 the re.
duction was caused ly great competifon Soon afler
says MI. Hubbard, the validity OF Mr. Morse's
patent a,,n, was connrmd % by the courts, many OF
the competing coinlanies were enioiued and
compelled 10 wind up or sell out and some failed
In the Eastern and southern states the American
friends were largely interested bought out most OF
The old companies and continued 20 occupy their
territory for many years without serious oppositIon
The various companies In the West South and North.
west, forming groups Of feeble organization were
gradually merged INTO one corporation under the
name OF the Western Union Telegraph COMPANY In
1904 the United States Telegraph Company, formed
Nv a consolidation OF three companies, was or.
Panized TO oppose tins monopoly and entered into A
vigorous competition with the Western Union. prices
being reduced in consequence. and the business In
creased with great rapdity-as has always been the
case IN Europe on lowering OF rates. In 1895 the
american Telegraph Company the United States
Telegraph Company and lhe Western Union were
united under the corporate fame OF the last corpora
fion; prices were again raised and this increase OF
rates caused hrst less ratio increase and then,
II the returns afe correct an acual decrease in the
telegraphc business OF the country.
The returns made 70 the Commissioner OF Inter-
nal Revenue show that the receipts from an the com.
panies were for the years ending June 3O:--
rear. Receipts. Increase.
Isoo. ..t......s.sss.s....., .34,3OUUU0
1856. 6,16s,700 43 per cent
JbfI....t 1,BsO400 30 per cent